When I say “Northern Europe cruise,” you might think of fjords and Scandinavian landscapes. But this time, my journey took a different route—through Belgium, France, the UK, and Germany before returning to Rotterdam. A different kind of northern, but no less exciting.
The adventure started early on a Tuesday morning at Rotterdam’s port. The check-in process was smooth, and I soon settled into my cabin for the trip. A quick lunch at the buffet later, I found myself with a few hours before departure—just enough time for a stroll through Rotterdam. It’s a city I know well, but it always finds a way to surprise me. The bustling inner city, home to my favorite bookstore - always worthy of a visit - , the food halls with its many stalls (be it a bit expensive), and the iconic Erasmus Bridge all called for a visit. From the bridge, I caught my first proper glimpse of the ship—an exciting reminder of the journey ahead.
After wandering through familiar yet always changing streets, it was time to return to the ship. Dinner in the main dining area was accompanied by the unmistakable sounds of departure. As Rotterdam faded into the horizon, the journey truly began.
The next morning, we arrived bright and early in Zeebrugge, Belgium. After a surprisingly good breakfast at the buffet, I was eager to set out for the day. From the docks, we took a shuttle bus to the charming city center of Blankenberge, followed by a short train ride to Bruges.
It had been years since my last visit to Bruges, but the city remained as beautiful and historic as I remembered. Wandering through the narrow streets toward the city center, I was struck by the abundance of churches—each with its own story and architecture.
Eager for a bit of exercise, even on vacation, I spontaneously purchased a ticket to climb the Belfry of Bruges, a medieval bell tower with 366 steps leading to panoramic city views. The ascent was unfortunately not as easy as I had hoped, but the breathtaking views, even with the windows a bit obstructed, made every step worthwhile.
After walking down the steps again, I indulged in some shopping and couldn't resist buying a new backpack—a Ravenclaw-themed one that caught my eye in a small but cute Harry Potter-themed store. As the afternoon came to an end, it was time to retrace our steps: a train back to Blankenberge and a bus to the ship.
As the ship sailed away later that evening, I took some time to look back on the day spent in Bruges—a city that seamlessly blends the past and present, offering surprises at every corner.
The following day, we docked in Le Havre, France. While many passengers chose to go on excursions to Paris, I decided to explore this charming port city. The city center was delightful, and the
appearance of the sun made the experience even more enjoyable (I of course could have expected the weather not to be great in January, but when the sun does come out to play - that just makes my
day)
No visit to France would be complete without indulging in a fresh croissant, so I made sure to buy one from a local bakery. And me being an enthusiast of art and history (although I can't say that I know a lot about it) I seized the opportunity to visit the Musée d'art moderne André Malraux (MuMa), located near the docks. This museum has a large collection of Impressionist paintings, making it a great visit for both art and history lovers.
I also visited the Église Saint-Joseph, a remarkable church mostly made out of concrete. It was designed by architect Auguste Perret, and is a 107-meter-high tower that can be seen from far away. The interior of the church is lit up by more than 12 thousand pieces of multicolored stained glass, giving it a different look on the inside as opposed to the outside. If you are in the city, it is definitely worth it to take a quick look inside.
After immersing myself in the local culture and history, I returned to the ship, to have a rest, eat dinner, and enjoy the provided entertainment before calling it an early night.