Established nearly 2,000 years ago, this capital city of England London is one the most influential business, financial and cultural centers in the world. Its collection of iconic landmarks, world-famous museums and abundance of beautiful countryside make London a can’t-miss port on any European itinerary.

Discover Northern Ireland’s rejuvenated capital on your European cruise to Belfast. A beacon of triumph and resilience, Belfast is a thriving city where Victorian splendor mixes with 21st century museums, revitalized docklands, and a buzzing dining scene. The birthplace of the RMS Titanic, Belfast is home to one of the world’s largest exhibits on the subject, which is currently housed on the site of the shipyard where the famed vessel was actually built. Make time to explore the countryside on your Belfast cruise and experience the extraordinary landscape unique to Northern Ireland.

Seydisfjordur was the first town in the east of Iceland to become an official city, way back in 1895, and today it’s considered the cultural capital of the region. Its outsized influence is impressive when you consider that it became significant while staying small — still with only about 700 residents. That shouldn’t — and won’t! — stop it from boasting Iceland’s oldest power plant in operation, plenty of 19th-century buildings, a really cool rainbow road running through the downtown, plus easy access to other regional sights such as Álfaborg Hill, the Maritime Museum and Hengifoss Waterfall — that one happens to be Iceland’s tallest.

When your ship pulls into Akureyri, it may not be apparent that you’re pretty close to the Arctic Circle, especially since you’re more likely to be saying things such as, “Wow, everything is so beautiful!” or “There’s just so much green!” or, probably, “Hold on, one more photo!” Yep, the landscape of Akureyri is far from what people might expect from a town so far north. Looking for specifics? We’ve got plenty of examples, from Godafoss Waterfall, one of Iceland’s most popular attractions, to Botanical Garden Akureyri and its 2,000 or so species of flora, located right in the heart of the city. And for a bonus sight, you can actually try, take a dip in the geothermally heated waters of the Mývatn Nature Baths.

Grundarfjordur is an Icelandic village that one could argue has at least one foot in the past. It’s not only one of the oldest settlements in all of Iceland, but its surrounding mountains, volcanoes and lava fields are just the type of landscape that served as a backdrop for the Icelandic sagas, culturally important 10th- and 11th-century mythic tales of early Icelandic settlers. But back to today — it’s amazing that over 1,000 years later, you can still walk the paths and climb the hills that inspired many of these tales, such as the 240-foot-tall Helgafell mountain, the volcanic rock formations of Arnarstapi or the Vikings’ “Holy Hill” of Thor.

Reykjavik is your gateway to some of Iceland’s greatest natural wonders, which range from fields of ice to the boiling thermal pools you can find alongside lava fields. In a modern, cosmopolitan city like Reykjavik, with some of the most sophisticated technology in the world, it’s easy to forget there’s serious history afoot, so check out the stories of the Vikings who once — like you — sailed Iceland, at one of the city’s many museums.

A thousand years or so ago, Vikings ruled the Orkney Islands, and remnants of this period can be seen in spots you can visit today, such as Kirkwall’s St. Magnus Cathedral. But here’s the thing: The Vikings were kind of late to the game! The Orkney Islands have points of interest stretching way back into prehistory, such as the village of Skara Brae, dating back 5,000 years, and the Ring of Brodgar, which can claim almost as many. But who’s counting? Practically everywhere you look in the Orkney Islands you’ll find glimpses into how folks of the past lived, such as the (comparatively) new WWII-era Italian Chapel and the Victorian-age Balfour Castle. But you should know that there’s more than just history here: The islands’ natural side is packed with wonders such as the Scapa Flow natural harbor, 1,000-foot cliffs, and amazing birdwatching opportunities.

Established nearly 2,000 years ago, this capital city of England London is one the most influential business, financial and cultural centers in the world. Its collection of iconic landmarks, world-famous museums and abundance of beautiful countryside make London a can’t-miss port on any European itinerary.