Cruise Description

11 Night cruise departing from Dover to Lisbon onboard Crystal Symphony.

Take this route less traveled down the Atlantic coast to discover some of Western Europe's highlights. Sailing from Dover, explore the picturesque French coastal towns of Honfleur and Saint-Malo before immersing yourself in Bordeaux's heritage and fine wines. Enjoy a relaxing day at sea before arriving in the port town of La Coruña, Spain. Finish the journey in Portugal by discovering quaint Porto followed by its lively sibling Lisbon.

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.

Le Havre
With a name that literally means, "the Harbor," Le Havre is indeed a city that grew out of a need for a working port. In the early 16th century, the harbor at Honfleur was silting up, rendering the port less and less usable. King Francois I had a solution: establish another harbor on the right bank of the Seine estuary, just 15 miles from Honfleur. So it came to pass that in 1517, Le Havre was built. Though it always had a military function, Le Havre flourished essentially as a commercial port, receiving cotton, tobacco and sugar from America and distributing the goods throughout France. But its military role was expanded in the 17th century when the harbor was converted to a naval base. In WWII, Le Havre was pressed into even greater military service as it became a stronghold on the continent. The city you see today is mostly post-war construction-much of Le Havre was destroyed during the war. Its reconstruction was overseen by architect Auguste Perret. Its commercial rebirth was spurred by the bustling port activity that began in the 1960s, and continues today.

Bordeaux
This UNESCO-designated city known as Port of the Moon due the natural shape of its harbor is celebrated for its glorious chateaux, its mouth-watering cuisine and its incomparable wines – Bordeaux is surrounded by the world`s most famous vineyards including Medoc, St-Emilion, Pomerol, Graves and Sauternes. One time the richest community and largest port in France, Bordeaux today is second only to Paris as the country`s most densely populated city.

Oporto
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.

Lisbon
Discover the world’s last colonial empire, turned bustling cosmopolitan city. Lisbon has dozens of Moorish castles, pastel buildings, and white sand beaches to explore. This Atlantic-coast city perfectly encapsulates Mediterranean charm with its wine, food, and architecture.