Northern Europe Classical Music Cruise

Having made your way to London, our ship awaits. Take time to settle into your cabin, meet your captain, crew and fellow passengers and get ready to set sail this evening. Be sure to go on the Sun Deck we sail under the Tower Bridge and down the River Thames.

We arrive into Dover at around midday today. The White Cliffs of Dover are a iconic landmark. Take a walk along the impressive white cliffs, roam through centuries of history at Dover Castle, you’ll find its impressive structure and network of underground tunnels truly fascinating. We set sail for Antwerp this afternoon. 

We arrive in the architecturally stunning city of Antwerp. Amble around the ancient city centre and pay a visit to its most staggering attraction, the UNESCO World Heritage Notre-Dame Cathedral that dominates the skyline. There are two optional excursions to choose from today. The first is a guided tour of the city, discovering the Old Town, the Grote Markt, the famous Brabo Fountain and finishing off with a visit to the exquisite Rubens House. The second takes you on a fascinating journey through the Musical Instruments Museum, home to four splendid galleries and over 1,100 different instruments. You could even visit the Museum Mayer van den Bergh, if you prefer, which houses the vast collection of works owned by the art dealer. Be sure to seek out the most famous piece in there is Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s Dulle Griet.

Sailing into the ‘Venice of the North’, you’ll easily see why Amsterdam is considered to be one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in Europe. A network of picturesque canals, the city’s waterways are linked by one delightful bridge after another and lined by the attractive, tall and narrow town houses that have become symbolic of the Netherlands’ capital. Why not join us on our optional tours? We’ll discover two of the city’s most incredible museums; the famous Van Gogh Museum – home to the world’s largest collection of his work, and the magnificent Rijksmuseum – the Netherlands’ national museum. The tour ends with a relaxing canal cruise, taking in the sights from the water. Alternatively, join us as we venture out into rural Holland, passing traditional Dutch farms as we go. We’ll stop at the stunning Dutch village of Broek in Waterland, with its twee wooden houses on the water. Next, we’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Beemster Polder and an original 17th century windmill.

Our first full day is spent at sea, giving you the perfect opportunity to familiarise yourself with all the ship’s facilities. Indulge in a relaxing treatment in the spa (not included), enjoy a spot of shopping in the boutique or take time to meet the PONANT photographers in their dedicated space. Head up to the ship’s upper deck and feel the fresh air on your skin as you watch the waves around us, keeping your eyes peeled for any marine life passing by too. There’ll be conferences and shows put on for your viewing pleasure, ensuring that this day with no port of call is still filled with entertainment, relaxation and comfort.

Early morning we arrive into the harbour town of Stavanger, with its warm and welcoming atmosphere. You are free to explore this friendly town, see the old town, with its cobbled streets and 170 old wooden houses, as well as the modern city centre. This afternoon we sail into the heart of one of Norway’s most breath-taking fjords, it’s marvellous décor dominated by pristine nature, between vertiginous granite cliffs, crystal-clear waters and luxuriant vegetation. Very close to Stavanger, the quiet waters of Lysefjorden stretch out over around forty kilometres, beneath impressive rocks. Admire the world-famous site of Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock), a majestic cliff in the shape of a pulpit that rises to more than 600 metres above the waters. A bit further on, Flørli, from the top of its 4,444 steps, is the world’s longest wooden stairway, whereas the Kjerag, with its mythical boulder wedged between two rock faces, provides an unusual and unforgettable experience. 

We arrive into Bergen early this morning. Located at the end of Byfjord, Bergen was the capital of Norway in the 12th and 13th Centuries, with many beautiful monuments from when it was home to royalty. Why not choose from one of our optional excursions on offer? Join our guided walking tour wandering the old Hanseatic merchant buildings which are now listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. The guided tour will lead you up one of the narrow alleyways running between the rows of houses where you can visit all kinds of various shops, before visiting St. Mary’s church and the Schötstuene, finishing with a visit at Bryggen museum, an Archaeological museum housing findings from the Middle Ages. Alternately you can choose an optional excursion hiking Mount Floien or visit Trodldhaugen and Fantoft Stave Church. We stay in Bergen overnight.

This morning, our time together comes to an end. We’ll bid the captain and crew farewell and disembark the ship.