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Cruising in Northern EuropeCruising in Northern Europe
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A 8-day adventure by S Read more
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  • TravelerCruising in Northern Europe
    Day 8

    Farewell Iona

    February 17 in England ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C

    So...would we go on Iona again?

    Plus points
    - Anderson's bar was a nice place to spend time and to play crib
    - Probably the nicest cabin (with on demand video) and definitely the nicest bathroom
    - Nice adults only area, necessary on a huge ship full of children
    - Aerial show in the Skydome was fab
    - Olive Garden restaurant was a winner (with no extra cost)
    - Virtual queuing (a winner, and missing from Ventura and Aurora)
    - Cinemas on board were great and had a good selection of films
    - Probably the nicest Atrium we've seen on a P&O ship (although still a thoroughfare)
    - The captain was perhaps one of the most relentlessly cheery chaps we've ever come across.

    Downsides
    - Size. Sheer size. It didn't feel like a ship and it was rarely evident you were at sea (which is kinda the point of cruising!)
    - Guest speakers/at sea programme not great
    - Every bar felt like a public thoroughfare, and therefore felt frenetic...and made it difficult to get served (except Anderson's)
    - Food was OK, but not as nice as other ships. Same problem as always with the evening menus, but also limited variation at breakfast
    - Balcony, whilst nice, overlooked the promenade (albeit three decks down). This somewhat changed the view, but also meant that it wasn't quiet on the balcony - the sound carried from all around you (a much worse problem I imagine on a warm-destination cruise when the promenade could be packed)
    - Smoking area not enforced - there seemed to be a belief that anywhere outdoors was fair game for smoking/vaping
    - A small point, but we saw very few staff out and about on deck, doing maintenance/deck hand/etc jobs. It felt like the crew were hidden away at all costs, very different to other P&O ships
    - Least nice Crow's Nest of the ships we've been on - small and absolutely packed.
    - Bars serving drinks in plastic glasses, even indoors on a formal evening
    - Disembarkation was a bit chaotic. Told to leave 7.30-8.15, but when we got to the gangway it said 6.30-7.30, and unusually there was a huge queue through the terminal.

    As always, the crew were superb and helpful, and deserve a huge amount of credit for what they do.

    So...we wouldn't *not* go on Iona again but of the four P&O ships we've sailed on, it would be our least favourite. It'd have to be a killer itinerary for us to return.    Read more

  • TravelerCruising in Northern Europe
    Day 7

    Bruges

    February 16 in Belgium ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    A bit of faff this morning as we tried to work out where in Zeebrugge we were, and how to get out of port. This included a mandatory shuttle bus rather than being allowed to walk to the port gates. By the time we got there, we had 30 minutes to do a 22-minute walk, buy train tickets and get on board for the 9.34 to Bruges...or wait a full hour for the next train! A yomp later, we made it on good time for the short hop to Bruges. The rain on arrival made for a dull start to the day, as we walked along the beautiful Minnewater Lake and fabulous architecture to the main square. The Beer Museum here had a lovely tasting paddle in a bar overlooking the square and out of the rain. Moving into Burhlg square, we enjoyed the local fare (aka I had a waffle) before we headed to the De Halve brewery. The rain finally stopped so we explored the west of Bruges which we'd not seen before, before heading back to the station.

    Departing this evening to Southampton for the final stretch...sigh.    Read more

  • TravelerCruising in Northern Europe
    Day 6

    Leidan

    February 15 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Three museums looked interesting in Leidan, but alas, time was against us. We walked through the town, past the windmills and the Morspoort to the main drag, which was far more city-like than the calmness of Delft. As it was nearby, we popped into the Rijksmuseum Boerhaave. This science museum had fabulous astronomical and medicinal displays, although some of the latter makes you really grateful for modern medicine. Walking on to the Burcht van Leidan gave beautiful views over the city, before meandering back along the canals to the station to go back to Rotterdam.

    Sailaway from Rotterdam was fascinating as we traversed the narrow river through the massive industrial port. Having a balcony definitely allowed interesting views as we passed by into the North Sea.    Read more

  • TravelerCruising in Northern Europe
    Day 6

    Delft

    February 15 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    We headed out into the early morning rain in Rotterdam, and decided on a tram to the station over being soaked! A relatively short hop saw us unto Delft, a quintessially beautiful Dutch town, more reminiscent of Ypres with canals than the urban sprawl of Rotterdam. We meandered canalside to the leaning church and the windmill, before heading to the Royal Delft museum via the market square and Oostpoort. The museum was well worth a visit, exploring the history of Delft blue pottery and some beautiful items. The Picasso exhibit wasn't terribly exciting but that's likely more personal preference than anything else. We rounded off Delft in the Delft Brouwhuis for a flight of local beers, before hopping on a train to Leidan.

    Oh...and everyone goes everywhere on bicycles in the Netherlands!!    Read more

  • TravelerCruising in Northern Europe
    Day 6

    An evening in board in Rotterdam

    February 15 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    We planned for a lazy evening after coming back from Delft. In the afternoon, we happened upon performers practising for an evening show on aerial silks and hoops, a cyr wheel, and a trapeze. So before our late dinner in the Olive Garden, we visited the Skydome to watch Tribos, which we rarely do on board. The performers were superb. Also, I took what I think is my favourite picture of the holiday - as we came out of the Skydome for dinner, the second show was about to start, and we came across one of the across performers lay in the lift lobby awaiting his troupe...!Read more

  • TravelerCruising in Northern Europe
    Day 5

    Rotterdam

    February 14 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    Back in Rotterdam and in the rain, we wandered to the Markthal and the cube houses. We visited these when we were here two years ago, so it wasn't particularly new. The street art and sculptures in Rotterdam are beautiful though. So we headed back to the ship to change into dry clothes and warm up! We're in Rotterdam overnight and the forecast tomorrow is grey but without rain, so we plan to visit Delft and may Leiden.Read more

  • TravelerCruising in Northern Europe
    Day 5

    Hague in the Rain

    February 14 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 11 °C

    Rotterdam cruise terminal is quite far inland, so it was fascinating at various points in the middle of the night to see what we were sailing by in a fairly narrow channel. The last two miles of the route we actually had to do backwards as there isn't enough space for Iona to turn in Rotterdam. After breakfast, we headed across the Erasmus bridge and towards the train station. It was however a horrible, rainy, grey day so we got wind-blasted as we crossed the bridge and were very damp by the time we got to Rotterdam Centraal.

    A quick train and tram dropped us at the gates of the International Criminal Court in the Hague. We had thought there was a case being heard today but it seems to have been changed so we couldn't actually visit which was disappointing. We walked back through the Hague and to the Binnenhof, the home of the Dutch parliament. Extensive renovation means the Tweede Kamer ('second house', the Dutch House of Representatives) are currently housed in the former Ministry of Foreign Affairs...which we didn't realise until we arrived at Binnenhof and a lovely English chap directed us.

    Once at Tweede Kamer, we were told that the chamber was sadly full so we couldn't see it in action, but we were able to wander the exhibits on the ground floor, and visit the gift shop! We considered heading on to Amsterdam but as we'd seen it before and the weather was so horrible we decided to head back instead.    Read more

  • TravelerCruising in Northern Europe
    Day 4

    At sea ish

    February 13, North Sea ⋅ 🌬 7 °C

    We departed Breverhamen in the morning, and headed towards Rotterdam. The ship had to turn in the river with the aid of tugs before we could leave which was interesting to watch. Much of the day was spent relaxing in the cabin - cross-stitching/wording and watching Top Chef. The at sea programme isn't super exciting, but we're fairly self-sufficient. The night was black tie night, so we dressed up and headed to Anderson's!Read more

  • TravelerCruising in Northern Europe
    Day 3

    Bremerhaven

    February 12 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C

    We planned an afternoon in the museums of Bremerhaven, but most of the museums here were closed because it was a Monday. So instead we had a pleasant meander through the docks, looking at the fascinating bridges and interesting old and new architecture (and a very wonky tower). We passed a store of buoys, which meant we both learned what they actually looked like below the waterline! We watched a ship transit through a huge lock, and like watching the ships manoeuvre through numerous different bridges, it was fascinating.

    Back on the ship for late afternoon, we watched from our balcony a huge American-flagged car transporter navigate the docks. The docks here are massive - the second largest in Germany apparently. So despite the industrial view from the cabin, it is interesting to watch. A quick game of crib in Anderson's before dinner and then some cross-stitch after wrapped up the day.    Read more

  • TravelerCruising in Northern Europe
    Day 3

    Bremen

    February 12 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    Our pilot for Bremerhaven arrived on board by helicopter, apparently the norm for this port. Alas, as it was in the small hours of the morning, we didn't see it. Even if it hadn't been, guests were told to stay indoors and off balconies.

    Docking in Bremerhaven, we headed out after breakfast through the large, industrial port, out the other side of town to the train station. The lengthy walk was dotted with fascinating bridges and lots of historical ships.

    A 40-minute train journey saw us arrive into Bremer, and we crossed quickly into the historic town centre. The Alte Rathaus and Cathedral are centuries old and stunningly beautiful, even on a grey February day. We popped into the Cathedral before heading into Schoon, the preserved, ramshackle old town of over 100 houses, winding pathways and fascinating nooks and crannies. We came across a beautiful glockenspiel between the gables of two warehouses, sculptures and fountains, and lovely little shops hidden in corners.

    A hunt for a traditional little pub proved fruitless, so we wandered back to the station, grabbing a pretzel en route!    Read more

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