Transatlantic Cruises: Excursions

Barcelona’s favorable location, in perfect harmony with its immediate surroundings, together with its ease of access and varied climate, make it a starting point for discovering new landscapes and enjoying contact with nature. Your tour departs from the port passing through the main streets of Barcelona to reach Catalunya Square, considered the heart of the city. From here, you’ll continue the panoramic drive along Passeig de Gracia, the best-known boulevard in town. Your guide will point out of the masterpieces of Gaudi’s architecture: the Casa Mila and Casa Batllo, two of the best-known landmarks of the city. Reaching Diagonal Avenue, your tour continues to Montserrat, a peculiar rocky mountain range which is the site of the monastery where people come to worship ‘La Moreneta,’ the black Madonna who is the patron-virgin of Catalonia. The Benedictine Monastery of Montserrat was founded in the 11th century and is located in a natural park 37 miles to the west of Barcelona. The Benedictine community, now numbering some 80 monks, has served the shrine for almost a thousand years. They are dedicated to a life of prayer, to working, and to welcoming pilgrims, making the site a place for dialogue, prayer and culture. Besides the monks, the Escolans also live in Montserrat, forming the oldest boy’s choir in Europe. During your stay and visit to Montserrat, you’ll visit the sanctuary and have free time to take-in the activity of your choice. Spend extra time at the sanctuary, explore some more, take pictures, shop for that last-minute souvenir, have lunch or grab a coffee at one of the restaurants and cafeterias on location. Once you finish the visit you’ll be driven back to your ship. less

Enjoy an orientation drive of Rome and have free time to take in the sites of your choice, or do some shopping. Drive by landmarks like Trajan’s Column, the Arch of Constantine, Circus Maximus, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. Then, you’ll be dropped off at a central location where you’ll have approximately three hours of free time. Your escort will advise you of the pick-up time for your return back to Civitavecchia. Note: All meals and incidental expenses are at your own expense. Please return to the meeting point no less than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Drop-off location may vary. Guests who are planning to visit religious sites during free time or on tour, please dress appropriately; no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed. The Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel are closed on Sundays. The level of exertion on this tour is completely up to you. There is no guide on this tour; your escort will point out places of interest and give the explanation during the orientation drive. AVAILABLE FOR ALL NORWEGIAN SPIRIT SAILINGS AND ON BARCELONA TO BARCELONA NORWEGIAN EPIC SAILINGS ONLY. less

Drive through the central parts of Stockholm, view the dominating Royal Palace, the Parliament building, the Opera and much more. Continue to the nearby island of Djurgarden, where the number one attraction in Stockholm is located, the Vasa Museum. Visit the museum, housing the warship Vasa, once the pride of Sweden’s mighty navy. On her maiden voyage in 1628 she capsized and sank in Stockholm’s inner harbour. In 1961, after 333 years at the bottom of the sea she was salvaged and is today restored to much of her original magnificence. Continue through the northern outskirts of the city and through the scenic countryside enroute to Sigtuna, an idyllic little town, an approximate 45 minute drive north of Stockholm. Sigtuna was founded around 980 AD on the threshold of a new age as the Viking period became the medieval period. Sigtuna became the first Christian town in Sweden, a centre of the new religion. In the 13th century, Dominican friars built the first brick church, St Mary’s. Since the 16th century, it has been the parish church. Enjoy some free time before returning to Stockholm and the pier. Note: There are cobblestone streets in the Old Town. less

Depart by coach for an approximate 75-minute journey to Wismar, a medieval beauty founded in 1229. Upon arrival you’ll enjoy a guided walk and explore this quaint Hanseatic city which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk along cobbled streets with Gothic houses, Baroque buildings and Renaissance facades. The classic Town Hall, the water tower, the historic drainage system and merchants’ houses from the Middle Ages are just some of the fascinating buildings this town has to offer. Stop for refreshments at a nostalgic brewery/pub (started in the Middle Ages) and taste some medieval ‘Mumme’ beer, which the citizens of Wismar already drank during the Hanseatic period. Along with your beer tasting, you’ll be served some traditional German snacks. You’ll return to Warnemunde in the late afternoon. Note: The order of the sights may vary. less

If you want to explore these fascinating places on your own, we are pleased to provide a motorcoach transfer to Florence and Pisa, complete with an English-speaking escort. You’ll visit Pisa first, to avoid the heavy traffic backup entering Florence in the morning. Arriving in Pisa, your escort will walk you to the famous Miracle Square to enjoy some free time to take pictures of the Leaning Tower. Continue to Florence, where in the early afternoon, you’ll be dropped off at a central location in Florence and have approximately 3 1/2 hours to shop and explore the city at your leisure. Note: The photo stop in Pisa is not guided and you’ll have to walk from the bus parking area approximately 15 minutes each way. There will be only one departure from both Florence & Pisa; please return to the meeting point at least 10 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Guests who are planning to visit religious sites, please dress appropriately; no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed. The level of exertion on this tour is completely up to you. less

If you would like to explore the Eternal City of Rome on your own, this private motorcoach transfer is ideal. You’ll be dropped off in a central location, and your return transfer to the ship departs from the same place as your drop-off. A tour escort will be traveling with you to and from the ship to answer any questions you may have about sightseeing or shopping. You’ll then rejoin your motorcoach for the return to Civitavecchia. Note: All meals and incidental expenses are at your own expense. Please return to the meeting point no less than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. Drop-off location may vary. Guests who are planning to visit religious sites during free time or on tour, please dress appropriately. No bare shoulders or shorts are allowed. The Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel are closed on Sundays. The level of exertion on this tour is completely up to you. AVAILABLE FOR ALL NORWEGIAN SPIRIT SAILINGS AND ON BARCELONA TO BARCELONA NORWEGIAN EPIC SAILINGS ONLY. less