Amsterdam to Lisbon

If you have time to explore Amsterdam before your cruise departs today, take a visit to the Van Gogh Museum, home to the largest collection of the artist's works. Stroll through the picturesque Jordaan neighborhood, renowned for its narrow streets, quaint cafes, and boutique shops, or enjoy a scenic canal cruise to see the city's iconic architecture from a unique perspective. If you're looking for a relaxing start to your cruise, head to Vondelpark, the city's largest green space, perfect for a leisurely walk before heading to your ship.

What Milan is to Italy, Antwerp is to Belgium, a historic city that is on-trend with a finger on the pulse of fashion, art and entertainment. A dynamic energy fills Antwerp’s old squares, gorgeous with cobbled centers and edged, like a cake with decorative icing, by ornate buildings. High-reaching church towers and fountains with cherubic sculptures add to the feeling of antiquity, while the port - the largest in Belgium and one of the largest in the world - brings a sense of purpose and prosperity. Surely, you associate Antwerp with diamonds. More than 70 percent of all diamonds are traded through this sparkling city, one that also shines under the light of celebrated painter Peter Paul Rubens, who lived and worked in an Italianate city manse, now a museum.

London, a vibrant metropolis brimming with history and culture, is a must-visit destination for cruise travellers. Explore the historic Tower of London, witness the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, and stroll across the majestic Tower Bridge. Art enthusiasts will relish the treasures housed in the British Museum and Tate Modern.

Explore London's culinary diversity at Borough Market, where a variety of international flavors await. Be sure to visit the lively Covent Garden, renowned for its street performers and charming boutiques. From the tranquil Royal Parks to the vibrant West End theatres, London provides a captivating blend of British heritage and modern vitality.

A historic port town in Essex, on the north shore of the River Thames, Tilbury provides easy access to the riveting sights and landmarks of London. It’s also a jumping-off point for towns such as Gravesend – burial place of Pocahontas, and Rochester – site of the second-oldest cathedral in England. Before heading off to explore, take time to visit a treasure closer to hand: Tilbury Fort, a superb example of a 17th-century bastioned fortress, whose fascinating history embraces the Jacobite Rising and a Zeppelin raid. For a laidback London experience, steer a course to Greenwich to climb aboard the celebrated Cutty Sark, immerse yourself in British seafaring history at the National Maritime Museum, and discover the “home of time” at the Royal Observatory.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

Old meets new in this quintessential Atlantic seaport, where half-timbered medieval houses and hidden Renaissance passageways co-exist with a modern marina of sleek 21st-century yachts and even an electro-solar sea bus. Dip into daily life here under the 19th-century wrought-iron roof of Les Halles market, where there’s a hum of haggling shoppers and traders shouting about the freshness of their produce amid stalls selling briny oysters and a rainbow of local fruit (look out for juicy Charentais melons in summer). Stop for a petit café on the terrace outside before exploring the old town, with its clock tower, stone gargoyles and shipowners’ mansions.

Known as the Port of the Moon for the graceful curve of its harbor, the UNESCO-listed city of Bordeaux showcases some of the finest culture, cuisine, and architecture of southwest France. Surrounded by prestigious vineyards – including Médoc, Saint-Émilion, and Sauternes – the city is a paradise for oenophiles. Learn about the history of wine at La Cité du Vin, a state-of-the-art museum that’s appropriately shaped like a wine decanter, before setting off to the vineyards for an afternoon of wine tasting. Or, simply amble around the city, strolling along the River Garonne, admiring the gothic spires of Cathédrale St-André, and stopping for oysters and a glass of wine at the Marché des Capucins.

Home to Frank Gehry’s Guggenheim Museum, this bustling city epitomizes the merger of modernity and history. Gateway to the Cantabrico Sea from the plateau of Castilla, Bilbao has flourished from the middle ages as a busy port. Today, the city is renowned for its vital exuberance, as modern architects erect new buildings next to 19th-century structures.

A day at sea with Crystal can be as relaxed or as engaging as you wish. Begin with breakfast on your veranda, take a walk along the Promenade Deck or spend the morning by the Seahorse Pool before retreating to the Aurōra Spa & Salon for a restorative treatment. Enrichment is always close at hand, with lectures, bridge, creative workshops, dance classes, wellness sessions and opportunities to fine tune skills from photography to golf.

Dining is a highlight throughout the day, from relaxed bites by the pool to elegant dinners at venues such as Umi Uma by Nobu, Beefbar or Waterside. As evening arrives, enjoy live music, theatre entertainment, comedy, social gatherings, cocktails in the lounges or a quiet night in with 24-hour in-suite dining.

This picturesque city is popular for its colorful tile-decorated buildings, its many hills and the iconic bridges by the Douro River. For an authentic Portuguese experience, go to the Ribeira neighborhood and cross the Dom Luis I bridge to watch the magical sunset among the locals.

From Moorish walls and Manueline carvings to elaborate azulejo tiles and Gothic arches – the traces of Lisbon’s rich history can be seen and felt simply by wandering its storied (and rather hilly) streets. But Europe’s second-oldest city is also one of its most cosmopolitan, and amid historic landmarks like Jerónimos Monastery and São Jorge Castle, you’ll find chic rooftop bars with views across red terracotta rooftops and the sparkling Tagus river, design-led concept stores selling artisanal souvenirs, and stylish restaurants serving up inventive takes on local ingredients.