Transatlantic Cruises: Excursions

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 local Berlin tour guide will welcome and assist you to board your coach. Depart on an exciting tour of Berlin, covering the top 10 highlights of this bustling city. Photo stops will be made at the East Side Gallery, a 3/4 mile long section of the Berlin wall, Checkpoint Charlie and at the Bebelplatz where below the ground level lies the Empty Library. You’ll pass by the Potsdamer Platz, formerly a no man's land between East and West where the first gap in the Berlin Wall was made in 1989, and which is today a pristine block of futuristic glass-and-steel skyscrapers. A few blocks away from here, at the Holocaust Memorial, you’ll have another opportunity for a photo stop before making your way over to the famous Brandenburg Gate and the Reichstag government building. Enjoy a traditional German pub style lunch before continuing your tour. Next, there's an an outside visit to the Charlottenburg Palace, the oldest surviving Prussian palace, and then drive into the former western part of Berlin, along the Kurfuerstendamm, where you’ll pass by the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial church and the largest department store on the continent of Europe, the KaDeWe. Continue passing Berlin’s main train station with more than 80 shops that are all open seven days a week. Also, see the Victory column commemorating the Prussian victories. Depending on the order of the tour and timing, you’ll have the opportunity to either spend some time at leisure at the Kurfuerstendamm, Friedrichstrasse or Berlin’s Main Train Station (or similar), before transferring to the station for your return journey back to Warnemunde. Note: The order of the sights may vary. less

In the morning 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 in Pushkin. Catherine’s Palace in the Tsar’s Village ranks as one of the masterpieces of world art. Peter the Great presented the estate to his wife Catherine in 1710 and the architect Braunstein built a small palace here. From this time until the time of the last Russian Tsar, Pushkin was used as the summer residence of the Royal Family. In 1756, Bartelomeo Rastrelli expanded the palace in Baroque style. Its grandiose, white and gold facade stretches 978 feet. During World War II, the palace was damaged severely, but since then it has been restored and stands now in its original glory.

The palace tour takes you through the series of magnificent rooms, including the famous Picture Gallery, the Great Hall and the world-famous Amber Room. 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 – 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. After the tour you’ll continue to one of the dining venues for lunch after which, you’ll drive back to the city for a tour of the Hermitage Museum, the largest art museum in Russia and the most prestigious museum in the world. The Hermitage Museum occupies the Winter Palace, the winter residence of the Russian Tsars, and four more buildings.

* 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. There are long walking distances through the gardens of Pushkin. Catherine’s Palace is not wheelchair accessible due to the steep staircase and no elevators. There is extensive walking between different parts of the Hermitage. Expect congestion and waiting at attractions. 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. Flash photography is prohibited in the Hermitage. less

This one-day visit gives you a sampling of the city's treasures, including a visit to the beautiful Basilica of Santa Croce, and an up-close look at the statue of David, magnificently carved by Michelangelo. As you approach Florence, you'll stop at the Piazza Michelangelo for an overview of the city's tiled roofs, steeples and domes. All the main attractions in Florence are centrally located and perfect for a walking tour. First, you'll visit the Galleria Dell'Accademia where you can see Michelangelo's famous Statue of David, and best of all, you’ll have a reserved time for entering so you won't have to stand in long lines! You'll visit Piazza del Duomo, the religious center of Florence in front of the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. Continue on to the Piazza della Signoria, the Basilica of Santa Croce and then walk to the Ponte Vecchio for a photo opportunity. After lunch, some free time for shopping is allowed before returning to Livorno. Note: Your guide will join you in Florence, however you’ll have an escort with you throughout the day. 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 walking tour in Florence will cover approximately 2 miles. Most museums are closed on holidays. The Galleria Dell’Accademia is closed on Mondays; this tour will not be available for guests on the Norwegian Spirit May 11th, 2013 and September 20th, 2013 sailings. less

Discover beautiful Mazatlan in a two-passenger mini-Rhino. See various sites that the ordinary tourists cannot see; this is a perfect vehicle to drive on the narrow streets of the Historic District. Before starting the tour, you’ll receive a brief orientation and safety instructions from your guide. Start by visiting the Cathedral, Machado Plaza which is considered to be the heart of the historic district as well as the Opera House and its museum. Next, stop at the Diver’s site for an amazing cliff diver’s show; continue driving north along the ocean front boulevard towards New Mazatlán. Here, enjoy the scenery and views of ‘Puerto Viejo Bay’, beaches and islands. Upon arrival to the Rhino’s base camp in the Golden Zone, you’ll have time for some shopping before returning to your ship. Note: Participants must be at least 8 years of age and weigh no more than 250 lbs. Drivers must be 18 years old and present a valid driver’s license to the tour operator. Price is per mini Rhino. Only one person needs to book the tour. Pregnant women and guests with back/neck injuries may not participate on this excursion. Closed-toe shoes are required. less

A very fast paced, but rewarding day awaits. This ultimate scenic tour includes the most spectacular sites along the Campanian coast, including Pompeii, possibly the most famous excavation in the world. Start with a fast-boat ride to Marina Grande in Capri, a port lined with colorful old fishermen’s houses. A funicular will take you up to a terrace with a marvelous scenic overlook of the small island, the coast and the sparkling sea. Walk to the piazzetta, the heart of Capri’s shopping and nightlife. You’ll visit Augustus Gardens with your guide, or if you prefer, explore the narrow streets, take in the magnificent views, or relax at an outdoor cafe. You’ll then continue to Sorrento by jet-foil where lunch awaits. After lunch, you’ll have some time to wander the flower-filled streets or admire the high-quality handicrafts for which Sorrento is famous. Head to Pompeii where you’ll enter by the sea gate and visit the city’s baths, villas, theaters and wrestling grounds. Because Pompeii is so well preserved, you can see many fine details that reveal the lifestyles of the residents, such as mosaic floors and colorful frescoes in some of the homes. Time permitting, visit a cameo factory near Pompeii and browse handmade jewelry. Note: Tour is not available for winter sailings. During summer months expect extreme heat, crowded venues and very long lines at the funicular. We recommend that you dress in layers and bring bottled water. Tour may operate in reverse order. less