Europe Cruises: Excursions

After a safety briefing, head for famed Lover’s Beach, past the sea lion colony and towering rock formations of Land’s End toward Santa Maria Cove. Anchor at a palm-studded tropical cove where the reefs are teeming with colorful tropical fish and you’ll have approximately 1 1/4 hours to snorkel in the tranquil waters alongside the boat. Snorkeling instructions are provided upon request. After your swim, you’ll be treated to your choice of soda, beer or a Mexican cocktail. Open bar is available throughout the cruise, after the snorkel portion of the tour. On the return trip, relax and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age and weigh no more than 240 lbs. This tour is not for guests with heart conditions, respiratory problems or pregnant women. A signed waiver is required. less

In order to visit the two main highlights of Rome - The Vatican and the Colosseum, this fast-paced tour involves a significant amount of walking but will be very rewarding. You’ll depart from the port of Civitavecchia with your escort to Rome where you’ll meet your guide. Being an exclusive tour, once in Rome, you’ll be in smaller groups. After passing through Piazza Venezia by the Vittorio Emmanuele Monument and the Roman Forum, your first stop will be the Colosseum. You’ll begin your exploration of the Eternal City with an inside guided visit of this Imperial Roman symbol of power. Continue to the Trevi Fountain, one of Rome’s most spectacular fountains. The high-Baroque Fontana di Trevi was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732. Legend has it that you can ensure your return to Rome by tossing a coin in the fountain. After securing your next visit to Rome, you’ll walk to the Pantheon where you can enter on your own and have free time for lunch before heading to the Vatican Museum. One of the highlights here will be your visit to the remarkable Sistine Chapel with its magnificent ceiling which took Michelangelo over four years to decorate. You’ll gaze in awe at Piazza San Pietro, one of the world’s most beautiful squares. Facing the square is the largest church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica. Some of its fabulous treasures will be shown to you by your guide during a brief visit before returning to Civitavecchia. Note: Guests who are planning to visit religious sites during free time or on tour, please dress appropriately; no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed. Your guide will join you in Rome, however you’ll have an escort with you throughout the day. Tour requires an extensive amount of walking over cobblestone terrain and stairs. Expect very large crowds at the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, especially during summer months. The Vatican will be closed on August 14th, 2013, August 18th, 2013 and September 29th, 2013; this tour is not available for the Norwegian Epic August 11th, 2013 sailing nor for the Norwegian Spirit August 15th, 2013 and September 20th, 2013 sailings. AVAILABLE FOR ALL NORWEGIAN SPIRIT SAILINGS AND ON BARCELONA TO BARCELONA NORWEGIAN EPIC SAILINGS ONLY. less

Take a short drive to the city center while your guide introduces you to the history of St. Petersburg. You’ll stop on the Spit of Vasilievsky Island for an opportunity to take in the views of the Neva River, the Rostral Columns, the Winter Palace and other buildings of the Hermitage Museum, as well as St. Peter and Paul Fortress, situated right across the river. The tour continues with a drive along the Neva River embankments, passing St. Peter and Paul Fortress. The tour will then take you to St. Isaac’s Cathedral for another photo opportunity and a tour of this remarkable building, one of the largest cathedrals in Europe and capable of accommodating 10,000 worshipers. The interior of the cathedral is richly decorated with different kinds of marble, malachite and other semiprecious stones. After, you’ll proceed to a dining venue for lunch.

In the afternoon your tour takes you outside of the city to the historical town of Pushkin. The drive will take you to the Egyptian Gates, the entrance to the Tsar’s Village. Catherine’s Palace in the Tsar’s Village ranks as one of the masterpieces of world art. From the time the palace was built until the time of the last Russian Tsar, Pushkin was used as the summer residence of the Royal Family. In 1756, Bartelomeo Rastrelli expanded Catherine’s Palace in Baroque style. The palace tour takes you through a series of magnificent rooms, including the famous Picture Gallery and, of course, the Great Hall. The parks of the estate add to the splendor of the palace, and several of them are embellished with a number of charming pavilions. The town of Pushkin is famous not only for its remarkable palace and parks, but the man it was named after. Since 1937, it has been named after Alexander Pushkin, the most celebrated poet in the country and a resident of this town at the beginning of the 19th century. The lyceum where he studied is connected to the palace by an arch.

* Price reflected on NCL.com is inclusive of the Pre-Book and Save offer.
Note: Expect congestion and waiting at attractions. Tour order may vary. The Russian government charges a nominal fee to use your camera and video inside various palaces and museums of St. Petersburg. Fees are payable to your guide and exact change is required. less

Your journey starts with a transfer to Peterhof, also called the Russian Versailles. Peterhof, the town of palaces, fountains and parks, was built by Peter the Great to rival Versailles. It lies on the southern shore of the Gulf of Finland, 22 miles west of St. Petersburg. The Grand Palace, built in the beginning of the 18th century, is known as the most brilliant of all the summer residences of the Russian Tsars. The estate construction spanned two centuries and upon its completion, it encompassed seven parks and more than 20 smaller palaces and pavilions. The layout of the 300 acre park and spectacular fountains was designed by Peter himself. The Grand Cascade, consists of three waterfalls, an avenue of 64 fountains and 37 gilded statues. Samson, the main attraction of Peterhof, is located at the base of the Great Cascade. During World War II, the estate was occupied and all the buildings and fountains were completely demolished. For many years, the palace and the Grand Cascade were under extensive restoration.

Now all guests of the city can enjoy the spectacular view of the fountains and the palace. After your tour of the Grand Palace, you’ll proceed to the magnificent gardens of the Low Park to admire the numerous fountains and statues of the Grand Cascade. As part of your Imperial tour experience, we have arranged a special hydrofoil boat transfer from Peterhof back to the city center, which will take you on a short 30 minute ride across the Gulf of Finland. After arriving back to town, you’ll be taken to the Spit of Vasilievsky Island, where you’ll enjoy views of the city including the Hermitage Museum and St. Peter and Paul Fortress, which you will tour next. Once inside the Peter and Paul Cathedral, you’ll be surrounded by marble columns, glittering chandeliers and painted decor, combined with carved and gilded iconostasis which create a magnificent setting for the tombs of Romanov monarchs. In July 1998, the remains of the last Russian Tsar Nicholas II and his family were also brought to the cathedral. The tour continues along the Neva embankment.

* Price reflected on NCL.com is inclusive of the Pre-Book and Save offer.
Note: This tour is done by van. It is not recommended for guests with walking or climbing difficulties due to long walking distances, cobblestones and gravel paths in the Peterhof Gardens and the Peter and Paul Fortress. The Grand Palace is not wheelchair accessible due to narrow staircases and no elevators. Visit to the inside of Peterhof Palace is approximately one hour, and although you might get a glimpse of the fountains, this tour is of the palace interior. Expect congestions and waiting at attractions. Operation of hydrofoil depends on weather conditions and is subject to cancel without prior notice. Photo/video is not allowed in the Grand Peterhof Palace less

Start with an orientation ride along the Giudecca Canal to St. Mark’s Square, where you’ll meet your guide for a walking tour through the heart of the city and take in many of its famous landmarks. Learn a bit of the history of 'The Most Serene Republic of Venice' and see the impressive Doge’s Palace with its beautiful Gothic architecture of lacy white limestone and pink marble. Adjacent to the palace, the Basilica of St. Mark stands proud as the centerpiece of Piazza San Marco. One of the best examples of Byzantine Architecture, its exterior is magnificently adorned. See the Bridge of Sighs, the bell tower, the clock tower and many other important buildings as your guide takes you through the narrow streets that lead up to the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge. During your tour, you’ll stop at a glass factory showroom where you’ll see a demonstration on how the famed Murano glass is made, followed by some time for shopping or browsing. At the end of the tour, you’ll meet your escort at a designated time and place for the return to your ship. Note: Venice is a city built on and encompassed by water. Most tours require a lot of walking and climbing of stairs over many bridges and therefore are not suggested for anyone with walking difficulties. This particular tour has 500 steps, uneven and cobblestone terrain, and approximately 2 kilometers of walking. THIS TOUR IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR NORWEGIAN SPIRIT SAILINGS STARTING IN BARCELONA AND ENDING IN VENICE. less

Your 4-wheel drive vehicle awaits shipside to take you on an exciting adventure of the Berber villages, not easily accesssible by other means. Passing through the colorful villages of Zaghouan and Bon Ficha, catch your first glimpse of a Berber village. The village of Takrouna is a natural and historical site, which covers the crest of the hill. From its elevated position, 656 feet/200 meters above sea level, enjoy spectacular views of the Gulf of Hammamet and the Zaghouan Mountain. Together with Jeradou and Zriba, Takrouna forms a group of Berber villages. Your guide will show you the distinctive homes and explain the lifestyle of these Berber families. There is an opportunity to visit the local museum and sample typical mint tea as part of this experience. Leaving Takrouna, venture off-the-beaten track on dirt roads that take you past the villages of Zriba and Geradu. This wilderness adventure gives you a close up look at Tunisia's fascinating natural "off-roading" landscape.

Note:This tour is not suitable for guests using wheelchairs, with walking difficulties, conditions or injuries which can be aggravated by off- roading and bumpy roads; pregnant women are not allowed due to off-road conditions. The approximately 60 minute off-road drive is subject to suitable weather conditions. There is an approximately 90 minute drive from La Goulette to Takrouna where restroom facilities are available. Each vehicle has a driver, there is no commentary during the drive, the guide will give explanations at each stop.

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