Advice for First-Time Cruisers to Europe

Advice for First-Time Cruisers to Europe: Embracing History and Culture

For many travelers, their first cruise experience is to the Caribbean, where the focus is often on relaxation, lounging on the beach, strolling around the port, buying souvenirs, and enjoying drinks near the ship. Caribbean cruises are typically about escaping the cold or unwinding in a tropical paradise, rather than immersing oneself in deep historical or cultural exploration.

However, cruising to Europe and other historically rich regions such as Asia, South America, or Oceania offers a completely different experience. These destinations are filled with centuries-old architecture, world-class museums, breathtaking cityscapes, and cultural traditions that have shaped civilizations for millennia. To truly appreciate what these ports have to offer, it’s essential to go beyond the typical cruise mindset of simply stepping off the ship and seeing what’s nearby.

While there’s nothing wrong with choosing to relax on a Mediterranean beach, treating an entire continent as if it were just another Caribbean stop is a missed opportunity. Some travelers may gravitate toward the familiar visiting McDonalds or Starbucks instead of trying local cuisine, or opting for a quick glance at a famous site rather than delving into its history. While this is a personal choice, a little preparation and curiosity can make the experience far more rewarding.

To get the most out of a European cruise, I highly recommend researching each port in advance. Create a list of the top five historical or cultural sites you like to visit, as well as five key facts about the destination. Whether you choose a private tour, a ship-sponsored excursion, or independent exploration, having some background knowledge will deepen your appreciation of what you are seeing. A well-informed local guide can bring history to life, but the experience is even more meaningful when you already have some context.

Destinations Best Explored with a Local Guide

Some places are simply too complex, historically significant, or logistically challenging to fully appreciate without an expert guide. In these locations, investing in a guided tour isn just recommended—it’s essential.

—-Giza & Cairo, Egypt

Seeing the Pyramids, the Sphinx, and the treasures of ancient Egypt is a bucket-list experience, but navigating Cairo can be overwhelming. A local guide provides invaluable insight into the history, culture, and hidden details of these ancient wonders.

—Pompeii & Herculaneum, Italy

These Roman cities were buried in ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. A knowledgeable archaeologist or historian can help you understand the daily life of ancient Romans and interpret the well-preserved ruins.

—Penguin Rookeries in South America

If you’re visiting penguin colonies in places like the Falkland Islands, Punta Tombo (Argentina), or Magdalena Island (Chile), a naturalist guide ensures you follow conservation guidelines while providing fascinating insights into the penguins’ behaviors and habitats.

—The Acropolis & Athens, Greece

The Parthenon and surrounding structures have centuries of history, mythology, and architectural significance. A professional guide will help you understand their place in Western civilization.

Ephesus, Turkey 

This sprawling ancient city, home to the Library of Celsus and the Great Theatre, is best appreciated with a historian or archaeologist who can bring its ruins to life.

—Petra, Jordan 

The Rose City is an architectural marvel carved into rock, and a guide can explain its Nabatean history, hidden tombs, and religious significance.

—Machu Picchu, Peru

The Incan citadel in the Andes is stunning on its own, but a guide can provide crucial information about its construction, purpose, and rediscovery.

The Great Wall of China

Understanding its vast history, strategic importance, and the different sections worth visiting is best done with a guide.

—Angkor Wat, Cambodia

This massive temple complex has deep religious and historical significance, and a guide helps make sense of its carvings, structures, and layout.

—The Vatican & Sistine Chapel, Italy 

A guided tour is essential to navigate the Vatican Museums efficiently, appreciate Michelangelo’s frescoes, and learn about the historical and religious significance of the artworks.

—Stonehenge, England 

A visit to this ancient monument is enriched by learning about its possible purposes, astronomical alignments, and the Neolithic people who built it.

My personal travel philosophy is simple: I seek out experiences I can’t have at home. That means prioritizing historical landmarks, cultural institutions, and local traditions over beaches, bars, and touristy shopping areas. The more you prepare in advance, the richer your memories will be and the more rewarding your journey will feel.

For me, learning about a destination before I arrive is almost as enjoyable as being there. I encourage all first-time European cruisers to embrace that mindset. A cruise to a region with a deep historical and cultural legacy is an incredible opportunity make the most of it!

About the Author

Karla Scott – A Passionate Explorer and Cultural Enthusiast

Karla Scott is a seasoned traveler with over four decades of solo travel experience, visiting more than 100 countries across six continents. Her love for exploration began during a junior year abroad in Normandy, France, where she discovered the thrill and empowerment of solo travel.

Karla’s journeys have taken her from the ancient ruins of Egypt to the bustling markets of India, the serene fjords of Norway, and beyond. With her extensive travel experience, she has honed her expertise in navigating diverse cultures and solo travel strategies, coaching others on cross-cultural communication and teaching English online.

Her mission is to inspire and empower women to embrace the transformative power of solo travel. Whether you’re a first-time traveler or a seasoned adventurer, Karla’s insights offer the guidance and encouragement you need to step boldly into the world.

More recently, Karla has explored the world through solo cruises, journeying across the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Northern Europe, and beyond.

Transatlantic sailings offer abundance

 

Transatlantic sailings offer abundance

Here is a note that I shared with a friend about my recent 16-day long transatlantic sailing from Florida to the UK, with visits in Spain, Portugal, the Azores, Morocco, and Madeira.

As I wander through the majestic expanse of a cruise ship and its enchanting ports of call, I can’t help but imagine you immersing yourself in the abundance of learning opportunities it offers. From embracing new knowledge to delving into different languages, admiring both nature’s creations and human-made art, indulging in diverse musical experiences, savoring delectable meals, tackling trivia challenges, and engaging with joyous souls, I envision you fully embracing the enriching tapestry of life’s beauty aboard such a voyage!

All this is available on a long, transatlantic sailing.

Amazingly picturesque Madeira

 Amazingly picturesque Madeira

Today, we stopped at the island of Madeira, one of Portugal’s two autonomous regions. The other is the Azores, (which we will visit next.)

———

Importantly, both Madeira and the Azores are located in the middle of the Atlantic ocean.

Although Madeira is geologically located on the African tectonic plate, it is culturally, economically, and politically European. 

Madeira was part of the first archipelago claimed by the Portuguese during the age of discovery. The first Portuguese settlers began colonizing the islands in 1420. Until the first half of the 16th century, Madeira was one of the highest producers of sugar and of course they used slave labor. 

Apparently it is in Madeira that, in the context of sugar production, slave labour was applied for the first time.

Madeira played a significant role in the transatlantic slave trade and sugarcane plantations during the Age of Discovery. In the 15th century, Portuguese explorers, including Zarco and Teixeira, colonized Madeira. The island became a hub for sugarcane cultivation, and the demand for labor led to the introduction of enslaved individuals. These forced laborers, primarily from Africa, worked on sugarcane plantations, contributing to Madeira’s economic prosperity. The exploitation of slave labor was a dark aspect of Madeira’s history during the era of sugarcane cultivation and the broader context of European colonization.

Madeira’s most important commodity eventually became its wine, Madeira wine. Sugar plantations were eventually replaced by Vineyards as Portugal moved sugar production to Brazil and São Tomé. 

——-

Our visit today was in the city of Funchal named for its abundant crop, fennel.

Funchal is a modern cosmopolitan city known for its year-round warmer climate, incomparable natural beauty, it’s lively weekend nightlife that usually begins at midnight, and it’s festive Christmas, Halloween, Mardi Gras,and New Year’s Eve celebration that includes one of the largest fireworks displays in the world.

Entering the port of Funchal provides one of the most spectacular and picturesque views comparable to such places as the Bay of Kotor and the Port of Malta. It’s an absolute feast for the eyes with its lush and colorful gardens, azure bay, and verdant mountain backdrop. The port is an important stop over for commercial and Transatlantic passenger cruises between Europe the Caribbean and North Africa. I have visited here in numerous times on transatlantic sailings, beginning in 2011, on the Queen Victoria

Madeira generally has a very mild and moderate subtropical climate with Mediterranean summer droughts and winter rain. Many micro climates are found at different elevations here.

Today, it was mostly sunny, 67°, with a slight breeze!!

Here is a description of my tour today: 

Your tour begins with a visit to a typical market, in Funchal's center, where an infinite variety of tropical fruits, vegetables, flowers, fish and regional items can be seen. A few steps from the local market you'll have the chance to visit the embroidery factory and taste the world-famous Madeira wine. 

The tour continues to the village of Monte, where you'll have time to explore this small village perched up in the hills overlooking Funchal. 

After this visit, you'll have the opportunity to experience a voyage by cable car with nature at your feet!

Made up by 12 cabins of eight seats each, this unforgettable voyage to the Botanical Gardens will take about seven minutes and offers its visitors a new panoramic route with privileged sights of not only Funchal's bay but also over the River of Joao Gomes, a place of rare and exotic beauty made up by the nucleus of Laurissilva forest.

Since the 17th century, Madeira Island had been waiting for a botanical garden, a dream that came true in 1960. Located less than two miles from the center of Funchal at Quinta do Bom Sucesso - a private Quinta belonging to the Reid's family - where the climatic conditions are much in favor of exuberant vegetation, the Botanical Garden boasts harmonious forms, contrasting colors and more than 2,000 plants. Throughout the gardens you can find the plants labeled with their scientific names, common name and origin.

#AnotherDayWithPerfectWeather!

#MadeiraIsBeautiful!

Fabulous 21-day cruise!!

This has been my fabulous home for 21 days. They have fed me very well, entertained me throughout the day, taken me to 13 beautiful ports of call (New York, Rhode Island, three Canary Islands, three Azores, Spain, Gibraltar, and Portugal) brought me fresh linens and made my bed every day, introduced me to new traveling friends, shown me sunrises and sunsets at sea, and rocked me to sleep listening to the sounds of the sea every night. I will miss the NCL Sun!

Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela

Camino de Santiago (de Compostela) known as the way of Saint James.

Not only was I raised Catholic but I attended Catholic schools from kindergarten through high school. I’ve lived in and traveled throughout Europe numerous times but I have never explored the Camino de Santiago, even though it carries significant meaning for Christians

If you have never heard of the journey—Camino de Santiago (de Compostela), you might find this interesting.

Imagine a 2-6 week long journey, taken by more than 350,000 people (per year), from all over the world, in order to visit a sacred place, inside a grand Cathedral in Spain.

Welcome to the Camino the Santiago!—-The pilgrimage to shrine of the apostle of Saint James in northeastern Spain.

The Camino DeSantiago is a network of paths that Pilgrims take to visit the shrine of St. James the apostle, whose remains are believed to be stored in the main church, St. James in Santiago de Compostela. The church is located in north eastern Spain, in the region known as Galicia.

In all, there are a approximately a dozen caminos or paths.

Since the pope made a declaration in 1492, this is considered one of the three main pilgrimages in Christianity, alongside visits to Jerusalem and Rome.  During the Middle Ages, pilgrims believed that making the journey would reduce their sentence in purgatory by 1/2. That’s not such a bad deal!

Although the Camino DeSantiago had virtually disappeared from the hearts of many, it experienced a revival in the late 20th century regaining its popularity of the medieval times. It is now a popular bucket list item.

Many of the women in my Solo Women Traveler Facebooks group have trekked the Camino DeSantiago.

The journey encompasses several different routes beginning in and including France, Spain, and Portugal. Each route has its own unique history, heritage, landscape, and charm. Sites along the way consist of green valleys, stone villages, medieval monasteries, vineyards, and some may even encounter the traditional Galician bagpipers.

There are many starting points for the routes because the original pilgrims would’ve commence their journeys from their own homes.

Most pilgrims arrive on foot to Santiago and come from nearby towns and cities. Some travel by bicycle and historically, some made the pilgrimage by horse or donkey. Like hiking the famous Appalachian Trail in the United States, many consider this a retreat from the hustle and bustle of daily life and often seek spiritual meaning. Those who start out alone often meet fellow travelers along the way and sometimes make lifelong friends as they chart their course. Some of the trails are more conducive to making friends.

The most popular route, and considered the most sacred, is the French Way that begins from the small town of St Jean Pied de Port  in South eastern France.  The longest of all, this hike is estimated to be 500 km or 300 miles. 2/3 of pilgrims takes The French Way. 

The Portuguese Way is the second most popular trail and begins along the northern coastline of the city of Porto in northern Portugal.

The Northern Way begins in San Sebastian in Basque Country, and takes pilgrimages on a more off-the-beaten track trail through Cantabria and Asturias, and along side coastal villages and lush green towns.

The Primitive Route is the oldest and  known as the original way. It’s one of the most challenging routes and offers an option to do the last 100 km into Santiago.

The English Way was popular among pilgrims from Britain and Ireland who were required to take a boat to one of the coastal cities of Ferrol or A Coruna to begin their journey. This is the shortest Camino route.

The French Way and many Spanish routes are on The UNESCO world heritage list.

For those who take the French Way, and some other routes, they face a 30-to 35 day journey and often walk for at least eight hours per day. 

Many pilgrims begin their Camino in the Galician town of Sarria and walk the last 100 km of the French way, in about a week.

As I write about this, I reminded why this was never a bucket list item for me. I have never been a fitness buff and typically must get tricked into exercise.

Pilgrims are known by their signature walking sticks, gourds for drinking water from wells, a clock, a cloak, a pointy flappy hat, and a scallop shell attached with red yarn 🧶 to their backpacks. 🎒

Travelers stay in a variety of accommodations, mostly hostels/communal dormitory-style facilities. 

Religious pilgrims are issued a “Camino de Santiago” passport and are guided to collect official passport stamps from all the major check points along the pilgrimage. If all qualifications are met, they will receive an official certification they have completed the Camino DeSantiago. At least 100,000 such certificates are issued each year. Walkers must walk for at least 100 kilometers and cyclists must cycle for at least 200 kilometers of their journey.

Every day at 10 AM, in front of the church of Santiago de Compostela, newly arriving pilgrims gather to celebrate and engage in the ritual of touching the scalloped shell in front of the church.

Every day at noon a mass is held for pilgrims and the names of all countries from which the pilgrims hail are read during the service.

During the last pre-Covid year, more than 345,000 pilgrims walked the Camino de Santiago. It will be interesting to see the numbers for 2022, now that international travel has resumed.