With January looming right around the corner, just past Christmas and New Year.

What is going to be, on your must see, cruise list? I am all about food and drink, so I have Hamburg for my German beer and sausage fix. Bruges for my Belgium beer and chocolate fix. Le Havre has amazing seafood and some great wines, which I love, almost as much as the French beers. Then Amsterdam will fix almost anything apparently! Although I have never tried anything except beer and cheesy chips in the city! I promise. I have this cruise all booked for April 2018 on MSC’s Magnifica from Southampton.

I would recommend when you are looking for a cruise to look past the ship and to have a study of what highlights you can see in the ports and surrounding area. Not just the food and drink. Dig a little further and you will find some gems like Medieval Ghent which although it can be found on the tourist trail in Belgium…. It gets forgotten by most cruisers who visit Zeebrugge. The buildings are extraordinary. The history of the area really requires a guide to get the most out of the place. The waffle cone iced creams were delicious and so were the waffles with chocolate sauce. I enjoyed my day visit so much that I went back again with Sonja and Max for an overnight stay last year during the Christmas markets.

While in Le Havre I have visited Honfleur which is nearby and the fishing area with the colourful houses make a great postcard picture. The area has lots of restaurants with plastic chairs outside and the chance to sample the catch of the day. Taking the time to wander here is lovely and any wandering should be accompanied by a pain au chocolat. Another option from here is the full day visit to Mont Saint Michel. I have never managed to escort this one as I had to be at the ship for dispatching tours. However, some of my colleagues have and said it was remarkable. Although a long coach journey to get there and back pictures of the sea covering the causeway are iconic. Make sure you do not get caught on Mont Saint Michel as the ship wont wait unless you are on the ships excursion.

Before you visit Hamburg have a look at the Beetles history in this city. The Reeperbahn area and St Pauls is where the Beetles performed and is now more famous for the cheap drinks and sex trade in the area. It is a great sailing through to the city on the river Elbe and when there you will encounter the Elbphilharmonie opera house. The building has got a reputation in Germany as being a tax payers money pit. However the music played there is beautiful, from the reviews so far. I have been in the city of Hamburg with Queen Mary 2 twice and know it will not be the same with a different ship. However this time in April is holiday so I will have longer ashore and not have to work when I get back to the ship! Another reason why having a cruise as a holiday, is better than working on a cruise ship! Have a great Christmas everyone and speak to you in January during the cruise sales!