Hamburg, Newcastle-Tyne, South Queensferry-Edinburgh, Invergordon, Lerwick, Cherbourg, Vigo, Lisbon, Barcelona

At the port of Hamburg, in the heart of the city, ships from around the world are bound. The city with the numerous bridges is a city full of contrasts that provides visitors with art and culture, theater and entertainment of high quality, unique shopping opportunities, lively nightlife and countless historical sites.

Newcastle is located at the mouth of the Hunter River in New South Wales, Australia north of Sydney. Newcastle is known as the gateway to the Hunter Valley vineyards.  The city offers spectacular surf beaches, recreational activities as well as a variety of cultural activities. If you just want to sit back and relax, head towards Honeysuckle, a vibrant waterfront area with cozy cafes, world-class restaurants, extensive public spaces and a spectacular marina.

South Queensferry is is an anchorage port, which was named after St. Margaret, the 11th century Queen of Scotland, who instigated the ferry service across the Firth of Forth which ran until the completion of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964. It is the gateway to Edinburgh, the political, commercial and cultural heart of Scotland, a gracious city noted for its superb skyline, its impressive collection of glorious architecture and its beautiful parks. 

Edinburgh manages to combine both ancient and modern in a uniquely Scottish atmosphere. The Old and New Townsof Edinburgh were listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1995. Take a walk along the old town, the city's medieval heart along the Royal Mile, marvel the imposing castle, symbol of the city and the Georgian (late 18th century) New Town and commercial heart of the city and finish your walk tasting local whiskey or beer at one of the traditional pubs which are all around the city.

Invergordon is the gateway to Loch Ness and the area of the Highlands known as the "Great Glen". It is a major port of call for cruise liners bringing in excess of 70.000 passengers to the area. In 1933, an enterprising editor in Inverness enlivened a slow news week with the story of an odd sighting in Loch Ness. The legend grew overnight - and today individuals still scan the dark waters of the Loch for a sight of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Legend goes back as far as the 6th century and insists that the celebrated Loch Ness Monster inhabits a cave beneath the picturesque ruins of Urquhart Castle. 

Lerwick is an anchorage port, the capital of the archipelago of the Shetland islands, the most northerly of the British Isles, over one hundred in number, of which a mere 16 are inhabited. The town is located on the eastern shore of Mainland, the largest Shetland Island and it was largely developed by Dutch herring fisherman in the 17th century. The islands are well- known for their superb crafts, ranging from woolen and cashmere knitwear to intricate lace shawls and fine jewelry.

At the port of Hamburg, in the heart of the city, ships from around the world are bound. The city with the numerous bridges is a city full of contrasts that provides visitors with art and culture, theater and entertainment of high quality, unique shopping opportunities, lively nightlife and countless historical sites.

Cherbourg-Octeville is a city and former commune situated at the northern end of the Cotentin peninsula in the northwestern French department of Manche. It is the most populated city in its department with 37,121 inhabitants.

Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is protected by Cherbourg Harbour, between La Hague and Val de Saire, and the city has been a strategic position over the centuries, disputed between the English and French. Cited as one of the "keys to the kingdom" by Vauban, it became, by colossal maritime development work, a first-rate military port under the leadership of Louis XVI and Napoleon, and holds an arsenal of the French Navy. A stopping point for prestigious transatlantic liners in the first half of the 20th century, Cherbourg was the primary goal of US troops during the invasion of Normandy in 1944.

Along with its use as a military, fishing and yachting port, it is also a cross-Channel ferry port, with routes to the English ports of Poole and Portsmouth, the Irish port of Rosslare Harbour and St Helier on Jersey. Limited by its geographical isolation from being a great commercial port, it is nonetheless an important shipbuilding centre, and a working-class city with a rural hinterland. On Wednesday, 10 April 1912 the RMS Titanic crossed the English Channel and docked here at 7:00pm local time before raising anchor at 9:10pm local time and sailing to her final stop Queenstown, Ireland.

Vigo, which clings to the slope of Monte del Castro, overlooking a namesake bay, is the gateway to Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity s holiest cities and the most venerated shrine in all Europe during the Middle Ages. An important fishing and commercial port, Vigo was first settled by Celts in 600 BC, whose legacy lingers on in the province's old legends - and in the bagpipes played on festive occasions. The city's medieval heritage is seen in the narrow streets and granite houses of the Ribera del Berbes, the old fishermen's quarter. Pilgrims from the four corners of Christendom followed the Way Of Saint James, flocking to the magnificent cathedral, built between the 12th and 13th centuries over St James' burial spotand. This enormous cathedral still draws thousands of daily visitors.

Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, on the southwest of the country, has been the main gateway for the rest of the planet for more than 19 centuries. Ships captained by Portuguese explorers like Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama and Ferdinand Magellan, skittered across the globe, hauling treasure home and making Lisbon a global capital. Draped across seven hills, Lisbon was once the center of a vast maritime empire that stretched from the west coast of Africa to the Spice Islands of the East Indies, until 1755, when a violent earthquake destroyed two-thirds of the city, leaving intact only the Alfama, the old Moorish quarter. Today, Lisbon is a stately city of Neoclassical buildings and wide plazas. Eternally linked to the sea, Lisbon's magnificent harbor is spanned by the longest suspension bridge in Europe. Among the city's landmarks are the iconic Castelo de São Jorge, the World Heritage Sites of Belém Tower and Jerónimos Monastery, both built in Lisbon's native Manueline architectural style.

Barcelona is one of the world's greatest treasures, a global capital of commerce, fashion, culture and sunshine. Cruise visitors should start with a walk down Las Ramblas, the glorious tree-shaded thoroughfare at the heart of the city, enjoy a dive in the wonderful beaches nearby, but, most of all, see what visionary architect Antoni Gaudi wrought. Seven of his creations have been honored as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including La Sagrada Familia, the Park Guell and Casa Mila. Time provided, you can also visit the former Olympic Ring on the hill of Montjuic, home to world-class parks, fountains and museums. Barcelona, which nurtured such artistic giants as Picasso, Dali, Miro and Casals, is definitely a traveler's paradise.