Winter Cruise Northern Europe? MSC Preziosa Southampton Hamburg Rotterdam Zeebrugge Bruges Le Havre

Why Winter Cruise in Northern Europe ?

Why is it worth braving the cold, wet and wild north sea and English Channel to go on a cruise in the winter?

Key points and also some helpful hints that I wished I had known before I had gone

MSC Preziosa cruise taking in northern Europe at the end of January and beginning of February - Southampton, day at sea then Hamburg, another day at sea and then Rotterdam, Zeebrugge for Bruges and Le Havre all in a row and then back to Southampton - 7 days.

If you are on a tight budget there is a lot included, no extras such as tips to pay but no Internet or drinks packages.

In the room there were tea and coffee making facilities and 4 sockets, 2 American and 2 European, for charging phones etc

On board for the sea days there is a gym, spa, casino, shops, numerous bars and excellent live performances with music periodically in most of the bars and a show twice every night

Hamburg has a massive art gallery, the Kunsthalle, St Nikolai Church the ruined tower left following bombing in World War II - lift to the top which gives great views over the city and there is a museum . Also the town hall - Rathaus- looks amazing

Rotterdam, - easy walk into centre. The Depot, an art store, the huge Market Hal- Markthal - with its painted ceiling. Modern architecture including cube houses - Kijk-Kubus, one of which is open to the public

Zeebrugge, major port requires free shuttle bus to exit of port.
Bruges - ancient UNESCO World Heritage site, beer museum to the incredible medieval buildings, chocolates and waffles

Le Havre, a UNESCO world heritage site for its architecture. MUMA art gallery- Musee de Art Moderne Andre Malraux , L' Eglise Saint Joseph, sea containers art work, Le Volcan a very unusual shaped arts centre

Some tips,

Formal nights - Don't be put off, only minimal effort is required also a White Night and 60s70s80s night, completely voluntary.

Room key card- multiple functions, opening your cabin door, boarding pass, charge card. Billing on a room basis, charged in Euros.