Rotterdam

14 Night Cruise sailing from Rotterdam roundtrip aboard Rotterdam.

As the sixth ship to bear the name, the ms Rotterdam is the standard-bearer for our fleet of five-star cruise ships. The first Rotterdam set sail in 1872, beginning a Holland America Line tradition of elegant cruising and impeccable service that continues through Rotterdam VI.

Commemorating the history of the Rotterdam ships, fascinating Holland America memorabilia, art and antiques can be found throughout the ship. The collection includes remarkable clocks and time pieces, contemporary art by recognized artists, and antiques that represent the rich seafaring heritage of Holland America Line. A highlight is a beautiful 18th-century ship model carved from bone. The ms Rotterdam ensures you the ultimate onboard experience with her graceful combination of classic cruise ship features and state-of-the-art amenities.

Highlights of this cruise:

Rotterdam
Often called the gateway to Europe, the port city of Rotterdam is full of old-world charm. The harbor offers amazing views and a maze of wharves and canals, along with towering spires make for a beautiful sight. Take a stroll and duck into one of the pubs or eateries along the way.

La Coruna
Seaside cafes and a tour of a venerable working lighthouse beckon, as does Santiago de Compostela, one of Christianity's holiest sites.

Portimao
The Algarve region of Portugal is famous for its cosmopolitan air, clear blue sea and golden sand beaches surrounded by rugged cliffs. Portimao offers all this and more. Some say the best way to experience this region is to simply sit still and forget the time. You can do just that in any number of public gardens - or stroll the old town and discover a hidden treasure to get lost in.

The 18th century palace of the Viscounts of Bivar and other architectural beauty can be found in old town, and some ruins of the town's ancient walls can still be seen as you walk through its tidy squares. Browse one of the busy markets, and don't leave without sampling one of Portimao's most tasty and famous residents - the sardine. Nearby, the town of Alvor boasts the ruins of a Neolithic village and a 16th century Moorish church.

Gibraltar
Geography claims it for Iberia, geology for the Jurassic, mythology for Hercules, and geopolitics for Great Britain. Gibraltar is a peninsula that juts off the southern end of Iberia and whose dominant feature is a 1,398-foot-high, cave-riddled hunk limestone that's played a dominant role in the Western psyche for millennia. While it is today a British overseas territory, its culture also pulls from Andalusia, Portugal, Malta, Morocco, and India. But on a cruise journey, it's the Rock you want. The upper slopes are covered in olive, pine and bouquets of the endemic Gibraltar candytuft. The Barbary apes (macaques, really) cavort through it all, popular despite their tendency toward thievery.

Malaga
Every city is a palimpsest, but Malaga takes it to an extreme. The walls of its Phoenician ur-city are visible in the basement of the Picasso Museum. The best-preserved Moorish citadel in Spain is located next to the Roman theater, which was rediscovered in 1951. The nearby caverns of Nerja provided refuge to humans 30,000 years ago and modern tourists alight along the Costa Del Sol during the eight-month-long summer season. Cruise guests can visit the old castles, the museums, and the beaches. Or chew some scenery with a Malaga sweet wine and a plate of tapas.

Lisbon
Lisbon was for many years Europe's main portal of debarkation for the rest of the planet. Ships captained by Portuguese explorers like Bartolomeu Dias, Vasco da Gama, and Ferdinand Magellan skittered across the globe, hauling treasure home and making Lisbon a global capital. So it's appropriate to arrive by ship. Cruise to Lisbon, situated on a wide bay where the Tagus River meets the Atlantic, and the white facades of its ancient neighborhoods lead uphill to the iconic Castelo de São Jorge. Other landmarks include the World Heritage Sites of Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery, both built in Lisbon's native Manueline architectural style.

Vigo
From this village, make a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostelo, one of Christianity s holiest cities. As you may elect to do, many pause at the grand Hotel of the Catholic Kings and attend a censer service at the enormous cathedral built over St James' burial spot.