Voyage of the Vikings

Boston, steeped in rich history and pulsing with modern energy, stands as a beacon of American culture on the eastern seaboard.

Perched on the Jurassic Coast of Dorset, Portland in England is an isle etched with rugged cliffs, rare wildlife and a storied maritime heritage.

A hundred thousand Gaelic welcomes await you in Nova Scotia, Latin for "New Scotland." There are highland villages to visit, the scenic Cabot Trail to explore, golden inland seas to sail and the Fortress of Louisbourg to inspect - where every barn, barracks and pipe and drum corps appears just as it did when King Louis' troops occupied the site in 1744. Sample shore excursions: The Bras d'Or Lakes Grand Tour; Fortress of Louisbourg; Black Gold - Cape Breton Mine Experience.

Nestled amidst the rugged beauty of Newfoundland's west coast, Corner Brook stands as a testament to nature's grandeur and human resilience.

Red Bay, a coastal community and National Historic Site in Canada, is a beautiful introduction to rural Labrador. Its history extends back to the 1500s, when thousands of Basque whalers hunted right whales and bowhead whales for blubber, which was rendered into oil and exported to light the lamps of Europe. The whaling station itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the remains of whale oil rendering ovens and a burial ground where 140 whalers and sailors were laid to rest can still be found on nearby Saddle Island. Tiny Red Bay has the hallmarks of rural Newfoundland and Labrador: colorful saltbox houses, craggy coastline and complete peace and solitude. The town can be easily walked in a short amount of time, and the effort is worth it. Wander around the beach and soak up the history of a place fraught with drama. In 1565, the San Juan de Pasajes sunk just off Saddle Island during a storm, and the remains of the ship were discovered in 1978, revealing the sophisticated construction of Basque ships.

Paamiut formerly Frederikshab With more time at sea and more out-of-the-way ports, there’s much to explore—both on and off your ship. Discover the medieval art of Cherbourg. Stroll the gardens of Madeira. Relax and enjoy yourself.

Sail past majestic whales and between immense icebergs as you cruise the serene waters that surround Greenland.

Reykjavík, the world's northernmost capital, offers a striking blend of icy landscapes and fiery volcanic activity.

In the shadow of snowy peaks and near stunning blue-green fjords, Eidfjord is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful villages in Norway. Even though it has a population of less than 1,000, scores of visitors come here each year to bask in the area's natural splendor. Hardangervidda, near Eidfjord, is Europe's largest mountain plateau as well as Norway's largest national park. Interestingly, the legendary polar explorer Roald Amundsen, who led the first expedition to reach the South Pole, and Fridtjof Nansen, who made the first successful crossing of the Greenland interior, both used Hardangervidda to prepare for their expeditions. Walking, hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing are popular, and the area is home to Europe's largest population of wild reindeer. Numerous canyons, including the famous Måbødalen Valley, lead south from the Hardangervidda plateau to the fjords along the coast, and about 16 kilometers (10 miles) south of Eidfjord, visitors can see the dramatic 182-meter-tall (597-foot-tall) Vøringfossen waterfall. In the center of Eidfjord stands the 14th-century stone Eidfjord Kirke, while outside town the famous Kjeåsen Mountain Farm sits on a ledge some 600 meters (1,968 feet) above the Simadalsfjord.

Nestled amid the pristine landscapes of Norway lies Hardangerfjord, a breathtaking ribbon of sapphire waters flanked by majestic cliffs and cascading waterfalls.

The romantic Rhine River flows down from the Swiss Alps and meanders through central and Western Europe until it reaches the North Sea.

Waterford, Ireland's oldest city, is a treasure trove of historical and cultural richness.

Belfast has emerged from decades of conflict to become one of Ireland’s most intriguing cities. In the 19th century, its location on the banks of the River Lagan made it an industrial center for ropemaking, shipbuilding, tobacco and textiles. And this legacy shaped much of its architecture: Grand Edwardian and Victorian municipal buildings and warehouses are found throughout the city alongside telltale scars of its more recent past. While the legacy of Belfast’s complex conflict known as The Troubles still looms, there are many other sides of Northern Ireland's capital to explore, from the quaint streets of the Cathedral Quarter to the newly regenerated Titanic Quarter, where the ill-fated RMS Titanic was constructed. Belfast is also gathering momentum as an up-and-coming gourmet destination, with a new generation of chefs producing food to get excited about. Beyond the city limits, County Down and neighboring County Antrim have a wealth of things to see and do. Any lingering negative preconceptions will evaporate after a short time in this fascinating and welcoming city.

Nestled in the East Fjords of Iceland, Seydisfjordur is a picturesque village where multi-coloured wooden houses are framed by snow-capped mountains and crystalline waterfalls.

Visitors should take a trip to downtown Husavik to visit the Husavik Whale Museum. The museum set itself the task of educating the public about whales with a focus on the North Atlantic species. One of the main attractions of the city is the whale watching tour. The waters of the region are filled with different types of whales. Adventurers and nature lovers should visit Lava Horses. Here, visitors are assigned a guide and horses for a tour of the region on horseback. The unique experience rewards visitors with spectacular views of the region's landscapes.

Nestled on the northern shores of the Snæfellsnes Peninsula, Grundarfjörður is a scenic Icelandic gem, embraced by dramatic landscapes.

Sail past majestic whales and between immense icebergs as you cruise the serene waters that surround Greenland.

The scenic waters off St. Anthony are known as Iceberg Alley, offering the largest concentration of icebergs in Newfoundland and spectacular whale watching. Sample shore excursions: Icebergs & Whales; L anse Aux Meadows A Viking Tour.

At the easternmost gateway to North America, come ashore in the snug, landlocked harbor to discover a land the Norsemen visited five centuries before Columbus. See fishing villages perched on cliffs, visit the lovely Botanical Gardens.

Perched along the rugged shores of Nova Scotia, Halifax exudes an irresistible maritime charm that beckons travellers from near and far.

Boston, steeped in rich history and pulsing with modern energy, stands as a beacon of American culture on the eastern seaboard.