SHORE EXCURSIONS

The Ottomans and Byzantines ruled this city for centuries, and testament to these great empires stand the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, opposite each other in Sultanahmet Square. You’ll see these two impressive of Istanbul as well as the Basilica Cistern and the Grand Bazaar. Start with a visit to one of the most recognized landmarks in the world, the Mosque of Sultan Ahmet, better known as the Blue Mosque. Continue to the Hippodrome, to see the remains of what was once the scene for political struggles in the capital city of the Byzantine Empire. See the Hagia Sophia Mosque from outside a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. It served as a church for hundreds of years during the Byzantine Empire and was converted to a Mosque when the city was conquered by the Ottomans in 1453. Continue to the great Byzantine Basilica Cistern, located across from Hagia Sophia. Next stop is the Grand Bazaar. You’ll have a short time to experience the exotic atmosphere of the covered part.

OVERVIEW

Reap the benefits of Nordic walking on a delightful hike across the Storhaug peninsula to the beaches on its southern shore. Nordic walking uses a specially designed pole that helps to maximize the benefits of the movements. It can tone the body, burn nearly 50% more calories and put less pressure on the knees and joints. Best of all, Nordic walking is easy to do. You will follow a historical, around 6.5 miles route through the city center of Stavanger, across the Storhaug peninsula and on to Godalen. The walk is only about 6.5 miles written double, but it is extraordinarily picturesque. Chances are, you will see bicyclists, other Nordic walkers and joggers, as the trail is as popular as it is scenic. In time, you will pause for a quintessential Norwegian snack. The route back will be different but equally breathtaking.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Drive along the elegant Passeig de Gracia with its wrought-iron street lamps and fine array of Modernist buildings, including Gaudi's Casa Mila, with its arches and spiral chimneys. It is known locally as "the stone quarry," because of its wavy facade of rough stone. Originally designed as an apartment building, it now houses a cultural centre. Stop for a photo of Gaudi's controversial and towering masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family) Church. Begun in 1883, it is still unfinished. A panoramic drive takes you through the memorial Arch of Triumph and Ciutadella Park, home to State of Catalona's parliament, museums and a monumental fountain designed by a student of Gaudi. You'll also enjoy spectacular views of the harbour and the Olympic Stadium from the top of Montjuic. Last but not least, stroll at your leisure the narrow streets and handsome squares of the old Quarter, lined with medieval buildings contemporary shops, bohemian artist workshops and cool bars and restaurants.

Discover some of the most scenic parts of Mallorca, the lovely village of Soller and enjoy a picturesque ride on the Soller Railway. Board your coach for a scenic drive through the beautiful Majorcan countryside. Enjoy a walk through the narrow streets of Soller. Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of this quaint mountain village. Board the historic Soller train for your scenic 45 minute journey, which is highlighted by beautiful panoramic views of the Mallorcan Mountains, orange groves and small, fairy-tale like villages. Pass through tunnels, over bridges and stop at a lookout point for a great view on your way back to Palma. You will enjoy a Panoramic drive through Palma before returning to the pier.

Enjoy the highlights of Victoria and visit the spectacular Butchart Gardens. Departing Ogden Point your guide will point out the highlights including the majestic legislative buildings, Empress Hotel, Royal British Columbia Museum, and Beacon Hill Park. At Butchart Gardens, see how the Butchart family transformed a barren rock quarry into what is now one of the world’s best-known horticultural attractions, covering more than 55 acres. The gardens are a lush paradise of flowers, rare trees and winding paths, that were created more than 100 years ago. Enjoy the cascading fountains and footbridges connecting you to the many themed gardens, including the beautiful Sunken Garden, the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden. Multi-language maps will assist you on your self-guided tour. The gardens are illuminated by thousands of hidden lights in the evening.

The Hardanger Fjord is one of the favorites among the many Norwegian fjords. It’s the 3rd largest fjord in the world and the 2nd largest in Norway. A scenic drive takes you by the fortress of Bergenhus, King Hakon's Hall and the Rosenkrantz Tower. Pass by the buildings of the Hanseatic period and the fish market of Bergen. Continue to the Bjornefjord, where you’ll have a short drive along the fjord with lovely views of islands and snowcapped mountains in the distance. A short ferry ride takes you from Hatvik to Venjanesetand where you continue your scenic drive to Mundheim and the Hardanger Fjord - The Queen of the Fjords. In Norheimsund, you'll make a stop for lunch and continue to the Steinsdal Waterfall. Here, the water falls away from the cliff enabling you to walk underneath without getting wet. Before travelling down to the Sorfjord, where you’ll find Oster Island, Northern Europe’s largest inland island.

After collecting your luggage, you'll start your tour traveling via motorcoach to the major sights of Copenhagen like the magnificent Gefion Fountain, Amalienborg Palace - winter residence of the Royal Family and the famous square Kongens Nytorv, where you can see the Royal Theatre. Then, you'll head over to the Old Fish Market where you'll cruise through the bustling harbor of Copenhagen.

From your boat, enjoy the many wonderful towers and waterfront activities of the city. One of the great highlights is the Little Mermaid, a tribute to Hans Christian Andersen. Continue through the picturesque canals of Christianshavn and Frederiksholm, where historical buildings are to be enjoyed side by side with more modern architecture.

Discover the beauty and diversity of Miami and neighboring cities of Coconut Grove and Coral Gables. Visit hip and trendy South Beach and see the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world. Pass Star Island and Fisher Island with multi-million dollar homes owned by Miami's rich and famous.

Depart the Port of Miami in your air-conditioned motor coach with your knowledgeable guide to explore the diversity of Miami and neighboring cities. You’ll cross scenic MacArthur Causeway and pass Star Island and Fisher Island – home to Miami’s elite and celebrities such as Gloria Estefan and Naomi Campbell. You’ll visit trendy South Beach “SoBe” with the largest collection of Art Deco buildings in the world. Marvel at the new home of The New World Symphony considered to be the one of the greatest works of world famous architect Frank Gehry.

Drive along downtown’s Brickell Ave, the second largest financial center in the USA to charming and laid back Coconut Grove, once the home base of Pan Am. Continue to Coral Gables “The City Beautiful”, an upmarket residential area with multi-million dollar homes, the campus of the University of Miami and the Biltmore Hotel. The Biltmore has the largest hotel swimming pool in the continental USA and when it opened in 1926, it featured Tarzan in a water show around the pool. On the way to the airport drive past the area known as Little Havana, it’s where Cuban refugees first settled upon arrival in Miami. After offloading City Tour only Guests, continue to Dolphin Mall for the shopping extension and eventual return to the airport.

Tour is for guests with flights departing Miami after 5:00 pm.

For those who would like to spend a day of fun and adventure at either Disney’s Magic Kingdom® Park or Epcot®, Norwegian is pleased to offer a round-trip motorcoach transfer from Port Canaveral’s pier to the parks. You’ll be dropped off and picked up at the coach staging area, close to the main entrance. Transfer time is approximately one hour each way. To enter a park, both a park reservation and valid admission for the same park on the same date are required for Guests ages 3 and up.

For those who would like to spend a day of fun and adventure at Universal® parks, Norwegian Cruise Line is pleased to offer a round-trip motorcoach transfer from Port Canaveral’s pier to the parks.

OVERVIEW

Browse a museum that showcases Norway’s fishing heritage and visit a fish farm where modern aquaculture is practiced. The Norwegian Fisheries Museum occupies an 18th-century warehouse on the wharf and features detailed exhibits that depict the history of the fishing industry and how it has evolved since the 1300s. Other displays cover topics such as seal hunting, herring processing, wind-dried stockfish and aquaculture. After this immersive experience into the country’s fishing traditions, you will race off to a fish farm in a rigid inflatable boat known as a RIB. The ride will be exhilarating as the high-powered boat is open-air and remarkably fast. Even so, RIBs are surprisingly stable and maneuver easily. Upon reaching the fish farm, you will see firsthand how fish such as salmon are bred, raised and harvested through aquaculture to ensure a sustainable food supply. Some of the fish are used as wild stock to repopulate overfished waters.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Gain an understanding of Norway’s fishing heritage at the Norwegian Fisheries Museum.
• See exhibits on topics that range from herring processing to seal hunting to aquaculture.
• Take a exhilarating, high-speed ride to a fish farm in an open-air rigid inflatable boat.
• Learn how fish are farmed in a controlled environment to ensure a sustainable food supply.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Wish you were here in Ålesund just after 1904, when the smell of fresh stone and new plans filled a city determined to rise again. Discover how Ålesund recovered from a devastating fire in 1904, and embark on a walking adventure in the heart of that rebuilt city, as you see key buildings that were constructed afterwards that changed the face of the city. The blaze destroyed nearly every wooden structure in Ålesund so the city rebuilt in the Art Nouveau style that was prevalent in the early 20th century. The stone Ålesund Church is a noteworthy example, especially its stained-glass windows, some of which German Kaiser Wilhelm II donated as he frequently visited the city before the fire and was horrified by its destruction. You will see plenty of other highly ornamental Art Nouveau buildings in the heart of the city, which as a result looks unlike any other Norwegian town. The cobblestoned, pedestrian-only street of Kongens Gate features one outstanding Art Nouveau landmark after another with details that make you wish you were here in the Viking era as well, when myths and seafaring stories first inspired these motifs. The experience then brings you to Byparken at the bottom of Aksla, a peaceful green space where you can pause, look up at the hillside and out toward the town, and reflect on Ålesund’s transformation—time travel for the soul, right where the city’s rebirth meets the landscape that surrounds it.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Step into Ålesund’s Art Nouveau rebirth and walk streets that give the city its unique look.
• Discover how the 1904 fire reshaped Alesund and sparked its unique Art Nouveau identity.
• Feel the echoes of the people who rebuilt the city as you wander past ornate façades and cobblestoned streets.
• Pause in Byparken at the bottom of Aksla and enjoy the greenery, hillside backdrop and town views—a gentle moment of time travel for the soul.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.