Northern Europe Cruise – Part Two
After sailing through some of Northern Europe’s best cities, the second part of our cruise brought more unexpected gems, cozy corners, and interesting museums.
Exploring New Hampshire
One of our stops was New Hampshire (UK), where I spent the day exploring the town. I came across a nice Harry Potter-themed store, which was a fun surprise, and later made my way to the Solent Sky aviation museum. From the outside, it looked like a quiet hangar—I wasn’t even sure where the entrance was or if I was allowed to go in. But once inside, it turned out to be a great experience. The museum focuses on aviation history in the region, with highlights like the iconic Spitfire and other historic planes and aircrafts. You can even step inside one of the older planes. A few very kind volunteers were on hand to explain more about the planes and the stories behind them, which added a personal touch to the visit.
A Quiet Sunday in Hamburg
Next up, we arrived in Hamburg on a Sunday, so most shops and cafés were closed. Still, I made the most of the day by visiting Miniatur Wunderland, the world’s largest model railway. It’s full of tiny, detailed recreations of cities, airports, and landscapes—with lights, sound, and movement. Every 20 minutes or so the lights change from day to night and I even spotted a cruiseship (albeight from another cruisecompany - it was the Aida). Tickets were around €20 and definitely worth it. I also visited the Kunsthalle, Hamburg’s main art museum in the city centre. I especially enjoyed the modern art section and took my time wandering through the different rooms. Getting to and from the city was easy thanks to the shuttle buses provided by the cruise company.
Slowing Down at Sea
We also had two full sea days: one between New Hampshire and Hamburg, and another before arriving in Brugge. These days gave me a chance to really explore the ship. On one of them, I booked a behind-the-scenes tour where we saw the crew areas, the engine room, and even the bridge where the ship is steered. It was a fun way to see a different side of cruise life and the crewmembers all types of questions. I also spent some time by the indoor pool—January weather kept most people inside—and enjoyed just reading and watching the waves go by.
Looking Back
These last few days of the cruise were a great mix of discovery and downtime. From museums to sea views, it was a perfect way to wrap up the trip. It was definitly a great way to go on my first ever cruise. And who knows, It might do it again in the future.