Serenity, Cultural Wonders ex Dover to Dublin
Cruise Line Crystal Cruises
Ship Crystal Serenity
Destination EU West & Atlantic Islands
Nights 9
Departure Date 27 Aug 2021
Description 9 Night Cruise sailing from Dover to Dublin aboard Crystal Serenity.

A dreamy three days in Holland to see treasures of Van Gogh and Rembrandt, followed by the Gothic fairy-tale charms of Bruges and an overnight in Honfleur – gateway to Paris and Giverny - and nostalgic trips to Normandy.

Highlights of this cruise:

Dover
For centuries, Dover has been a symbol of England's royal fortitude. The port's legendary White Cliffs have long been a welcomed landmark for seafaring travelers. The solid Dover Castle has faced invasions by Roman, French and even English troops. London's legendary sights, including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, Parliament Square, Whitehall and the fashionable West End, lie just 80 miles from historic Dover.

Amsterdam, Netherlands
Everyone has an image of Amsterdam. For some, it’s small boats gliding on the canals and locals two-wheeling on bikes to and from work and, as frequently, to meet friends for drinks. For others, it’s gabled buildings leaning, seemingly precariously, over cobbled streets and cozy taverns illuminated by candles. Still others imagine tulips in bloom and the colors, both muted and vibrant, of the paintings Vermeer, Van Gogh and Rembrandt. All images are true and even more beguiling when experienced in person. Sit a spell in a convivial cafe, explore world-class museums and feel the significance of a unique history—one of a city reclaimed from the sea, rising in prestige and influence as merchants built trade and wealth, and forever known for its attics and attitudes that offered refuge from war. Narrow streets and great manses tell the story not only in images but with the aroma of appeltaart, a taste of the avant garde in newly constructed buildings and a feeling of warmth from the amiable locals.

Rotterdam, Netherlands
If other cities in the Netherlands can be characterized as quaint and charming, Rotterdam is best described as trendy and sophisticated. Much of its edgy personality is a result of a wiping out of its history, at least the tangible history as represented by its old buildings. The Rotterdam Blitz of World War II destroyed central Rotterdam, leaving it to be rebuilt with an innovative and contemporary approach to design. Modern buildings feature eye-catching curves, cubist references and materials of concrete, glass and steel. Old slices of the city still remain in Delfshaven, or Delft Harbor, and Oude Haven, or Old Harbor. Rotterdam’s energetic mix of old and new, along with a collection of outstanding museums, hotels and restaurants, helped make Rotterdam the Academy of Urbanism’s 2015 European City of the Year and consistently earn it top rankings for best places to visit.

Zeebrugge, Belgium
Belgium is a patchwork of small farms, picturesque rivers and natural lakes. It is dotted with ancient cathedrals and wonderful museums with awe-inspiring art.

Zeebrugge, a small town located on the western side of Belgium, dates back to the beginning of the Christian calendar. A crossroad in the English Channel for centuries, Zeebrugges is the gateway to Flanders, whose Golden Age heritage resides in three historic cities: Ghent, Antwerp and Bruges. In this region, museums proudly display the glories of the old Flemish masters, from Van Dyck to Rubens. The summertime is a delight showcasing colorful flower-filled window boxes and the graceful arcs of windmills.

Honfleur, France
Discover Deauville, the seaside resort that is both posh and quaint with its celebrity and royal pedigree and photogenic half-timbered Norman buildings. Added cachet comes from the city’s renowned racetrack and horse breeding—a French version of Lexington, Kentucky. Also marvel at the bare vertical cliffs of Etretat and Yport, natural wonders that inspired artists Boudin, Courbet and Monet. Gain insights into the epic battle launched June 6, 1944, with a tour of the D-Day beaches. See Pointe du Hoc, the 100-foot-high promontory where German forces deployed concrete bunkers and gun pits to keep the Allies at bay. After scaling the cliffs, the U.S. Army Ranger Assault Group captured this. The beauty goes on in this stretch of the Calvados region, rich with the history of William the Conqueror and scenic with its countryside landscapes, the source of Calvados apple brandy.

St-Malo, France
A walled city on the English Channel, Saint-Malo suffered widespread destruction during the bombings of World War II, but has since been lovingly restored to its 17th- and 18th-century splendor. The city's top destination is the citadel, from where the Corsairs once raided enemy ships in the name of the King.

Today, the city is decidedly more welcoming to visitors, with bustling shops, bars, and hotels within the city walls, not to mention the highest concentration of seafood restaurants in Europe. Although crowds can be quite dense in high season, savvy travelers know to take a stroll atop the ramparts, where they can enjoy 360-degree views away from the hordes.

Dublin, Ireland
The Irish capital, Dublin, enjoys one of the loveliest settings in Europe. Craggy Howth Head shelters the natural harbor at Dublin Bay and the gurgling River Liffey flows through the center of town. The ancient Egyptians, as well as Norman and Viking warriors, visited Dublin. However, the city's most pervasive surviving influences come from the 18th and 19th centuries when elegant Georgian mansions were first built along the river and then outward from its shores. The arts also flourished during this period and Dublin served as the birthplace of some of our greatest literary figures such as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw and James Joyce to name only a few.
Sailing Dates
  • 27 Aug 2021
Itinerary

Cruise Itinerary

DayDateActivityArriveDepart
1 27/08 Dover, England 06:00 PM
2 28/08 Amsterdam, The Netherlands 08:00 AM overnight
3 29/08 Amsterdam, The Netherlands 05:00 PM
4 30/08 Rotterdam, Holland 08:00 AM 06:00 PM
5 31/08 Zeebrugge, Belgium 07:00 AM 06:00 PM
6 01/09 Honfleur, France 07:15 AM overnight
7 02/09 Honfleur, France 05:00 PM
8 03/09 St Malo, France 08:00 AM 08:30 PM
9 04/09 At sea    
10 05/09 Dublin, Ireland 05:30 AM
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.

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