Europe Cruises: Excursions

Hop aboard an open top tour bus and explore Stockholm and its sights at your own pace. Buses stop at carefully chosen spots including the City Hall, Vasa Museum, Skansen, the Old Town with the Royal Palace and many other popular sights. The Travel Pass allows you to hop-on and hop-off as often as you please. An audio commentary in different languages such as French, Spanish, German, Italian, etc. will be offered.
Note: Duration of tour may vary. less

At the core of this sprawling cityscape is the palace that Emperor Diokletian built for his golden years at the turn of the 4th century. What began as an imperial residence and fortified camp is today an intriguing warren of narrow cobblestone streets, where pre-Romanesque churches live alongside Gothic chapels, history-filled museums alongside galleries of contemporary art and delicious-smelling restaurants compete with bustling cafes for the attention of passers-by. Your walking tour starts with a visit of Cathedral of St. Duje. The cathedral is built on the remains of an ancient shrine and is supposed to be the oldest in the world. A visit will also be made to the charming Temple of Jupiter and the Split City Museum. The City Split Museum occupies a set of Middle Age buildings in the north-east part of Diokletian's Palace, within which there are two yards, in which the most exhibition halls are situated. Other sights such as the Golden Gate, the Silver Gate and the Peristyle Square will be seen from the outside. Note: During summer months expect extreme heat, crowded venues and long lines. We recommend that you dress in layers, wear comfortable shoes, a hat, sunglasses and bring bottled water. This tour is not suitable for guests with walking difficulties; there is approximately 1 mile of walking over cobblestone streets and approximately 40 steps in total on this tour. less

Enjoy the main sights of Helsinki, also referred to as the 'Daughter of the Baltic' or the 'White City of the North' from the comfort of your motorcoach. Your tour begins with a drive along a picturesque road on your way to see the great variety of Helsinki’s architecture. In Senate Square, you’ll see several buildings attributed to the Neo-Classic architect Carl Ludwig Engel. Enjoy a photo stop at the famous Lutheran Cathedral and continue on to Mannerheim Street, Helsinki’s main thoroughfare. You’ll see the Parliament House, the National Museum, and also Finlandia Hall, designed by the famous architect Alvar Aalto. Pass the new Opera House on your way to the Olympic Stadium where the 1952 Olympic Games were held. Then it’s on to Sibelius Park, where you can photograph a monument completed of 527 steel pipes honoring the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. Enjoy a view of Embassy Park and the colorful open-air market on your drive back to the pier. Note: Order of sights might vary. Although some photo stops are included, no sites will be visited on this tour. Only collapsible/foldable wheelchairs are allowed as they can be stored in the luggage compartment of the bus. Guests must be able to manage 3 steps to enter the bus. less

Your scenic drive by night will first take you through the historical area of Istanbul. Travel to the heart of the Old City, as you drive over the Galata Bridge and view the Old City’s Sea Walls as well as the Sea of Marmara. As you reach the heart of Old City, take in the breathtaking photo opportunity of the Blue Mosque’s magnificence. Also known as the ‘Sultan Ahmet Mosque’, it was built by his order over a seven year period in 1609. You’ll see the German Fountain and Obelisks at the Byzantine Hippodrome, which was once at the heart of Constantinople’s political and sporting life. It is now a tranquil city park. Nearby, from outside, you’ll see the 6th century St. Sophia Museum, considered the epitome of Byzantine architecture. Continue your journey back to the new city as you drive over the Ataturk Bridge reaching Taksim Square, where the city life is bustling 24 hours a day. Enjoy some free time to explore Taksim independently before your journey back to the pier. Note: This evening tour is designed for guests with limited mobility and who do not wish to walk long distances and is only available for the first night in Istanbul on the Norwegian Jade winter sailings. Please expect differences in tour duration due to traffic conditions. less

Arguably the best known of all the Greek islands, Mykonos is renowned today for its nightlife and lively beaches. Following the Greek War of Independence, during which Mykonos played a significant role, life settled down for a while before it was 'rediscovered' as a beautiful location for filming, attracting actors, artists and jet setters. Today, both the lifestyle and true history of the island are showcased through this walking tour of unique Mykonos town. First you’ll visit the Mykonos Archaeological Museum, which houses pottery from Delos and some grave stelae and jewelry from the Island of Renia, the Delos necropolis. Among the museum's highlights is an exhibit of a pithos, or Minoan storage jug, which features a Trojan War scene in relief, and a statue of Hercules. Continue your walk with an exploration of the Mykonos that tourists seldom see, and discover her mysteries amid narrow winding streets lined with whitewashed houses and walled gardens. Discover the town's deliberately confusing layout, designed as a means to foil attacking pirates. The nearby windmills, an island trademark, once ground wheat that was used to bake bread for islanders and sailors alike. Now they stand as symbols of the island and afford a wonderful photo opportunity. Finally, do as the Mykonians and enjoy a refreshment of ouzo with some traditional mezedes before returning to your ship. Note: Tour is dependent on weather conditions and entails 2 1/2 hours of walking on cobblestone streets with slight inclines and a few steps. Even though tour has limited participation and is conducted in small groups; a minimum number of participants is required to operate. 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. The Mykonos Archeological Museum is closed on Mondays. The visit to the museum will not be possible for guests on the Norwegian Spirit sailings of June 4 & August 27, 2013. less