Europe Cruises: Excursions

This tour offers you an opportunity, to explore the most remarkable sites of St. Petersburg. With a brief introduction to the history of St. Petersburg, your bus brings you to the city center, to the St. Isaac's Square where you will have a chance to take pictures of one of the largest cathedrals in Europe - the St. Isaac’s Cathedral. Our double-decker bus is equipped with a high-quality 10-language sound system so you’ll be able to learn a lot about the places of interest in St. Petersburg. From this very place our highly professional driver will drive you along the Admiralty and Nevsky prospect. You’ll see the fantastic Palace Bridge, the Spit of Vasilievsy Island, St. Peter and Paul Fortress, Russian Cruiser Aurora and Trinity Bridge.

You'll have a perfect chance to take pictures of one of the main landmarks of St. Petersburg – the Church on Spilled Blood which was built in 1907 on the spot where the Russian Tsar Alexander II had been assassinated. After this fascinating tour you’ll have an opportunity to spend almost two hour as you wish. You'll have an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of this unforgettable city, like a local. Walk along one of the main streets of St. Petersburg – Nevsky Prospect, where you can browse the best shops, buy lovely souvenirs for your relatives, friends or yourself and enjoy lunch in a cozy café or restaurant. Afterwards the bus will bring you back to the pier.

*Price reflected on NCL.com is inclusive of the Pre-Book and Save offer.
Note: The tour has been designed for scenic viewing from motor coach only. No inside visits will be conducted on the City tour, there will be photo stops only. This tour is not wheelchair accessible and there is extensive walking. Tour schedule depends on the traffic conditions in the city. less

Visit two sites of great religious significance and pilgrimage, the house where the Virgin Mary purportedly spent the last days of her life, and the remains of the Basilica of St. John, built on the site where the apostle is believed to have been buried. It is said that John wrote his gospel while living in Ephesus. During the 4th century, a church was built on the site of his grave, but during the 6th century, the Emperor Justinian replaced it with a church of magnificent proportions, with the central dome right above the tomb. Thousands of faithful pilgrims visited the sacred site throughout the middle ages. It is also said that the apostle John brought the Virgin Mary to Ephesus after leaving Jerusalem. She first lived in a house in the city of Ephesus, until the house on Bulbul Mountain was built. This place of pilgrimage is visited by hundreds of tourists and pilgrims every day and it remains a holy place for Christians and Muslims alike. You’ll stop at a leather outlet for refreshments and a shopping opportunity before returning to your ship in Izmir. Note: Expect crowded venues and extreme heat, especially during summer months. There is approximately 1 3/4 miles of walking over uneven surfaces, numerous steps and some inclines on this tour. less

From the pier, you’ll travel approximately 20 minutes by private motorboat to the San Marco area along the Canale della Giudecca. From the Venetians favorite square, Piazza San Marco, you’ll begin your guided walking tour. After some remarks on the history of Venice, you’ll admire the Marciana Library and the Loggetta by J. Sansovino, the bell tower, the clock tower and its two bronze Moors, the two wings called Procuratie Vecchie and Procuratie Nuove, and the cathedral. Next to the cathedral is the Doges’ Palace, the former official residence of the rulers of Venice (Dogi). This is one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture, well known for its ornate facade and multi-arcaded loggia. Here, you’ll climb the famous Golden Staircase, admire the paintings from Tintoretto and Veronese, and wander through the echoing Great Council Chamber and many other historical rooms. Adjoining the palace is the famous Ponte dei Sospiri, or Bridge of Sighs. This legendary structure connects the palace to the former ducal prison. Today, it is a favorite rendezvous of lovers who believe that if they kiss under the bridge, their love will last forever. You’ll then admire the magnificent facade of the Basilica di San Marco, named for St. Mark. At the conclusion of this excursion, you will return to the cruise ship pier and then head to the airport by motor coach. Note: The order of sights may vary. Crowds and delays may be encountered at the Doge's Palace. Lecturing is not permitted inside the cathedral, so your guide will provide an explanation from the outside only. Time permitting, you may be allowed to enter on an individual basis. In case of particularly high tide, the main entrance to the cathedral may be blocked. Photography is not permitted inside St. Mark’s Cathedral and the Doge’s Palace. There are approximately 500 steps to navigate on this tour. This tour is only available for guests with flights after 3pm. The tour includes one piece of luggage storage per guest for the duration of the tour. less

This exclusive tour is an opportunity to travel in a small group by minibus to see the magnificent ruins of Ephesus which is one of the best preserved Greek/Roman cities in Asia Minor. You’ll experience other historical and natural values around it such as at your first stop, the House of Virgin Mary. This was declared a place of pilgrimage in 1892, and has since been visited by many Christian pilgrims. From here you’ll continue to Ephesus, one of the most interesting and extensive ancient cities in the world. Built in the 3rd century B.C., this is the center of attraction in the Aegean Region. The remains from the Roman period are a grand amphitheater, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, the Scholastic Baths, the Odeon, the Lower Agora, and the State Agora. The tour will end with a stop at a local handicraft center designed as a typical Turkish village to see how the famous Turkish carpets are made before driving to Izmir. Note: This tour is similar to IZM_01 Ephesus & the Virgin Mary tour but is conducted in small groups and requires a minimum number of passengers to operate. Expect crowded venues and long lines. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during summer months; we recommend that you drink a lot of water and use suitable sun protection. There is approximately 1 3/4 miles of walking over uneven and cobblestone surfaces with inclines and steps. less

Driving for approximately 30 minutes from the port through the lush and verdant Corfiot countryside will bring you to a leading resort at Dassia village. Lying on the east coast of the island, you’ll have approximately four hours to sit back and enjoy the beautiful setting with its beach and crystal-clear waters. Swim in the Ionian Sea and pay homage to the sun and sea gods who have showered their blessings upon this mythical isle. A beach bed and umbrella (one umbrella per two beds), and soft drink or coffee from the hotel are included. Further refreshments may be purchased from the canteens and beach bars on hand. For the more adventurous, watersports are available on the beach at an additional charge. Note: Please remember to wear your swimsuit, bring a towel and sun protection. Lifeguards will be present on the beach. This tour will only operate from June through August. Temperatures can reach extreme highs during summer months; we recommend that you drink a lot of water, use suitable sun protection and dress in layers. Guests who are planning to visit religious sites during free time or on tour, please dress appropriately; no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed. less