The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.

Haugesund, homeland of the Viking kings and birthplace of Norway, is a place where you can inhale the Viking spirit. Surrounded by beautiful coastline, spectacular waterfalls and majestic fjords it’s no wonder the kings called this extraordinary setting home. Populated for thousands of years, you can walk in the footsteps of the great kings at the Nordvegen History Centre and travel back over 3,500 years. St Olav’s Church, dating from 1250 AD, is a monument to the former days of glory, and next to the church stands one of Norway’s tallest pillars, Virgin Mary’s Sewing Needle. In nearby Rehaugene you can explore the ‘Pyramids of the North’ – six intriguing Bronze Age, earthen burial mounds. And if you are feeling like a spot of retail therapy, you’re in luck – not only is Haugesund filled with charming markets it’s also home to Norway’s longest pedestrian street.

Because it was completely rebuilt after being destroyed by fire in 1904, Alesund looks quite different to other Norwegian towns along the country’s west coast now better known as simply ‘Fjordland’.

Stretching across three islands at the mouth of the magnificent Geirangerfjord, Alesunds architecture is now an eclectic mixture of mock-Gothic and neo-classical with more than a dash of Art Nouveau. Turrets and spires dot the skyline and you can trace the towns trend setting style development at the Art Nouveau Centre, one of several fascinating museums in the town. The pick is the open-air Sunnmre while the Atlantic Sea-Park is also worth a visit as one of the largest aquariums in northern Europe.

A visit to Stavanger is like a step back in time, with its rich landscape, enchanting fjords and wonderful mixture of old against new. Littered with 19-century buildings, its beautiful old quarter is the perfect place to transport yourself back in time to the historic days of prosperity. Situated in the heart of the city is Stavanger’s 12th century cathedral, the only church to have retained all its original features since its construction in the Middle Ages. Discover Pulpit Rock, hanging 1,800 feet above the Lysefjord below – when you step out to admire the views, you’ll feel on top of the world.

Understand that Zeebrugge literally means Bruges-on-Sea and you immediately appreciate why this ferry port is also Belgiums major cruise port. A medieval jewel on the North Sea, the charming city of Bruges is just 10 miles away.

The city center is a charming mix of old city walls and a large modern shopping centre. With multiple restaurants, museums, cinemas and theatres there is plenty to be explored. Time spent at embarkation and disembarkation ports may be limited which may restrict availability of shore excursions.