Author Archives: Serene

As we arrived in Edinburgh by tender on August 7, we were greeted by a lone bagpipe player.   We began our first of three tours,  learning a few things as we rode on the coach to the old city. … Continue reading →

After six port days in a row, we had a scheduled sea day on August 4, 2025. And then we had an unscheduled sea day. Storm Floris delivered high winds and rough seas across and around Scotland.  We missed out … Continue reading →

In preparation for visiting Liverpool, I gathered our British pounds left from a previous trip to London.  My goal, after the next few weeks, was to have no pounds or euros left. We always tried to tip tour guides in … Continue reading →

The Isle of Man is one of three self-governing British island territories.  It sits in the Irish Sea between Great Britain and Ireland.  The United Kingdom is responsible for the island’s defense and representation abroad, but the Isle of Man … Continue reading →

This was our first view coming into Galway, Ireland on the morning of July 31st.  It was early because we had a 7:00 am meet-up due to the need to tender into the port.  If tendering is required it means … Continue reading →

July 30 was the first visit of Nieuw Statendam to Kellybegs, Ireland.  Our ship was one of 24  ships that has, or will, arrive this season. Killybegs has a deepwater harbor that opens into Donegal Bay. It boasts Ireland’s largest … Continue reading →

We started this cruise where we will end it, in Rotterdam, shown at #12. We had a sea day through the North Sea enroute to the Isle of Lewis, north of the Scottish mainland, depicted by #2.  We received instructions … Continue reading →

We were able to enjoy a relaxing morning in Rotterdam and walked a couple hundred yards to check in at the port.  We boarded Nieuw Statendam shortly after 11:00 a.m. on July 27th. We were excited to begin our cruise … Continue reading →

Kinderdijk has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.  This group of 19 windmills was built circa 1740 and is the largest grouping left in the Netherlands.  That was our destination for the day on July 26. We had … Continue reading →

We were still in Amsterdam on July 25th.  We had a food tour scheduled in the afternoon after our Anne Frank House morning. We met our guide, Roman, and our fellow food tourists.  Roman was amazing in how he instantly … Continue reading →