Europe Cruises: Excursions

This tour designed for small groups, is a perfect way to explore Casablanca and enjoy a wonderful meal at Rick’s Cafe. Just a short drive will take you to the central market with stalls brimming with locally grown vegetables, meats, seafood and handicrafts. Drive to the famous Hassan II Mosque for an inside visit of this great architectural masterpiece. Continue to the new medina of Casablanca Habous quarter with its attractive Arab-Islamic architecture for an outside visit of the Royal Palace. Cross the quarter and its colorful olive market on foot.

Drive through the residential quarter of Anfa and your guide will point out the location of the Casablanca Conference held in 1943 during World War II. Stop at the charming seaside resort of Ain Diab for a soft drink before continuing to the famous restaurant Rick’s Cafe for lunch. Although this restaurant is not the original, it was designed to recreate the bar featured in the famous Humphrey Bogart movie Casablanca. After lunch, you’ll have a brief shopping stop at United Nations Square.

Note: This tour involves approximately one mile of walking on uneven terrain at the medina.

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Combine two of the most famous Tuscan towns: Lucca, with a colorful history that stretches back to the days of the ancient Etruscans, and Pisa with its famous Field of Miracles with the cathedral, baptistery, and of course, the Leaning Tower. Arriving in Lucca, take a guided walk through the old town, which retains its Renaissance-vintage fortified walls. Stroll from piazza to piazza and learn the city’s history through its architecture. The Duomo, Lucca’s Romanesque cathedral dates from the 12th century and features a facade with elaborate relieves and columns. The Gothic interior features an image of Christ on the cross, supposedly carved by Nicodemus, a purported witness of the crucifixion. The Duomo also boasts Tintoretto's magnificent painting of the Last Supper. You’ll have free time in Lucca to enjoy your activity of choice; explore, eat or shop! Once a powerful maritime republic and a rival to Genoa and Venice, Pisa offers Renaissance splendor of its own. A short guided walk leads to the Field of Miracles where you’ll receive a brief orientation on Pisan history. The Piazza is the site of Pisa’s Duomo, baptistery, Campo Santo, and of course, the campanile – the famous Leaning Tower. Galileo is said to have used the 180-foot campanile during his experiments with gravity. Today, the tower leans 14-degrees from perpendicular. Recently reopened, admittance to the tower is limited and is not included in the excursion. Pisa’s Duomo is a mixture of Tuscan and Romanesque styles and the black and white interior marble arches are thought to have been inspired by Islamic architecture. You’ll have plenty of photo and shopping opportunities on this tour. Note: Should religious services be taking place in the Duomo, the guide will conduct an explanation outside and guests will be free to enter individually. Guests who are planning to visit religious sites during free time or on tour, please dress appropriately; no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed. You’ll meet your guide in Lucca for your visit there and your other guide in Pisa for your visit to Pisa, however you’ll have an escort with you throughout the day. In Pisa, you’ll have to walk to and from the bus parking area approximately 15 minutes each way. less

Experience the thrill of a zip-line canopy tour without missing out on the rainforest’s rich wildlife. This innovative ‘Tranopy’ tour combines the in-depth forest view of an aerial tram with the excitement of a canopy tour. Your naturalist guide will accompany you to point out some of the secrets of the primary and secondary rainforest that surrounds you. Your Tranopy tour starts with a ride on the famous tram where you’ll experience all the different layers of the rainforest, from the floor up to the treetops. Silently glide through the colorful, complex beauty of the rainforest canopy. The 30-minute tram ride will bring you through the forest, over tumbling cascades and to the beginning of your canopy adventure. You’ll experience canopying though ten cables – five of which are over 200 meters long. To your right, you’ll find the dense rainforest, and to your left is an extensive view of the valley all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Over 1.5 kilometers of cables will take you through everything from the rich rainforest ecosystems to sweeping views high above the forest floor. Note: Participants must be at least 12 years of age and weigh no more than 260 lbs. Not recommended for pregnant women or guests with back or neck injuries. Guest must fit into harness and helmet in a safe manner. Wear comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes. less

Are you the type of person who wants to explore a destination on your own? Then don't miss this convenient opportunity for an organized transfer into the heart of Berlin. Depart the pier and take a short walk across to the train station to board your exclusively chartered standard train for an approximate 3 to 3 1/2 hour journey from Warnemunde to Berlin. While relaxing and watching the German countryside pass by, you’ll be served a light breakfast snack. Upon arrival at one of Berlin’s train stations, your escort will accompany you on a short coach transfer to a central drop off point in Berlin from where you’ll explore Berlin on your own. Return to a central train station in the early evening as your escort has instructed you, for your return train journey back to Warnemunde. Note: Upon arrival at Berlin station, you’ll receive a short coach transfer from the station to a central drop point. You spend time on your own in Berlin and also return to the departure station on your own. The tour price does not include any entrance fees, lunch or guiding services. It will be your responsibility to be at the return train station at the instructed departure time. Please note that actual time available to spend in Berlin will be subject to arrival/departure time and the station used for arrival/departure. This may cause a variation in time for exploration. You’ll be provided with exact directions, emergency contact details, specifications and details of how to get around in Berlin and back to the designated departure train station. The order of the sights may vary. less

This special tour is designed for guests who would like to look at the city from a different perspective, learn about the tragic death of one of the most mysterious figures in Russian history – Grigory Rasputin – and witness one of St. Petersburg’s masterpieces, also surrounded by the mystery of murder and intrigue – the amazing Cathedral of Our Savior on Spilled Blood. Your coach will bring you to the pier in the city center, where you’ll start your fascinating journey through the rivers and canals of St. Petersburg. You’ll see the city from the water, which surrounds its numerous squares, monuments and palaces. After an hour of touring the waterways, you’ll arrive near Yusupov Palace, where you’ll disembark to discover an intriguing story about the palace, its owners and the dramatic events which ended the life of the famous favorites of the last Romanovs. Yusupov Palace is located on the banks of the Moika River and is one of the 57 palaces in Russia, four of which are in St. Petersburg and were owned by Felix Yusupov – often said to be almost as wealthy as the Tsar himself. This palace was Yusupov’s favorite and exemplifies his wealth and very eccentric style. Among the palace's treasures are French tapestries and porcelain, and Venetian mirrors and woodcarvings. It was here in 1916 that the notorious Grigory Rasputin was assassinated. He was lured to Yusupov's palace by several influential figures of the time, given poison cakes, which for some reason had no effect on him, then shot several times and thrown into the river.

The tour will take you through the rooms of the palace, and after climbing down the narrow, winding staircase, you’ll see the very place where Felix Yusupov and his accomplices assassinated Grigory Rasputin. After lunch at a nearby restaurant, you’ll visit the magnificent Cathedral on Spilled Blood. This marvelous old Russian-style church was built on the spot where Emperor Alexander II was assassinated on March 1, 1881. The cathedral should not be perceived as simply a cult building; its idea is broader and deeper. The image of the Savior in this cathedral reflects not so much the cult aspect, but the political, historical, artistic, stylistic importance of the monument, and underscores its importance for the city. Built in 1883-1907, the church was designed in the spirit of 16th and 17th century Russian architecture, inspired particularly by St. Basil's Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow. With its distinctive cupolas, the Muscovy design is unique to St. Petersburg and provides a dramatic contrast to the Neo-Classical architecture which dominates the city center. The interior of the church, a memorial to the late Emperor Alexander II, is decorated with different marbles and several thousand square yards of mosaics. These mosaics are far from being ordinary; their surfaces were left unpolished, so that they reflect sunlight, which impressed worshipers and visitors alike. The Cathedral of Resurrection, as it is also called, is the only surviving monument to Alexander II in the city.

*Price reflected on NCL.com is inclusive of the Pre-Book and Save offer.
Note: This tour is not recommended for persons with walking or climbing difficulties. Expect congestion and waiting at attractions. Tour order may vary. Venues are not wheelchair accessible. 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

Try something sensational and unique while visiting Stockholm; a guided walk conducted along a roof top of Riddarholmen, the small neighboring island of the Old Town. Buckle up in your safety harness and take your first steps along the narrow rooftop path that only we’ll follow. You’ll be stunned by the breathtaking views and the stories that your guide will narrate. Continue with a walking tour to the Old Town of Gamla Stan, the oldest and coziest quarter of Stockholm. Witness the historic elegance of the exterior of the dominating Royal Palace combined with a stroll along the narrow streets, past a wide variety of shops and boutiques. After the tour, enjoy some free time on your own in Old Town. Rejoin your coach and enjoy panoramic sightseeing of Stockholm passing the Parliament Building, the Royal Opera, the city Center with Sergels Torg, the Concert Hall and much more. Note: Participants must be at least 15 years of age, accompanied by a parent or guardian. Guest must weigh less than 265 lbs. and be at least 5 feet tall. If you have a fear of heights, have cardiovascular problems or have a tendency to faint, this tour is not for you. less