NEW! From Iberia to the Northern Lights

Enjoy a scenic drive to Cape Palos, part of a small peninsula formed by long-ago volcanic activity. At the Mar Menor's most southerly tip, the picturesque village is centered around a quaint marina, rocky coastline and wonderful array of restaurants and cafés. Stop for a photo, then continue your drive to Cartagena. Enjoy free time to explore the charming coastal city and its abundance of sights as you wander through the Old Town's narrow cobblestone streets. You will visit the fascinating Museum of the Roman Theater. Cartagena's 6,000-seat Roman Theater, built as an entertainment venue in the 1st century BC, when Rome was at the height of its power, lay undiscovered for more than 2,000 years until its ruins were identified in 1990. The museum is ingeniously designed to take you on a journey through time, as you explore the exhibits and displays. After your guided tour, return to your ship.

Visit two of Murcia’s stunning places of worship and witness the city’s historic and chic casino. From Cartagena, you will join your guide for a drive into the foothills of Sierra de Carrascoy. Here, at the sanctuary of the Virgin of Fuensanta, Murcia’s patron saint, enjoy fantastic views over the city, founded by the Moors in the 9th century. You will have time to see the 17th-century baroque exterior of the chapel. Descend into the city to visit the Cathedral of Murcia, built over an old Arab mosque between 1394 and 1465. You can explore the remarkable Gothic interior behind its baroque front. At the Casino of Murcia, opened as a private gentlemen’s club in 1847, admire the Modernist facade before stepping inside to see its real gem: an elegant ballroom adorned with five crystal chandeliers. Enjoy free time to explore the city on your own before returning to your ship.

Marvel at the 300,000 palm trees that surround Elche, and see the city’s magnificent basilica and lush gardens. Used in Palm Sunday parades across the country, the palms of Elche comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will enjoy a scenic drive through the countryside to view them in a sprawling municipal park. Admire the stunning Basilica de Santa Maria and explore the interior, if the church service schedule allows. Take in more natural beauty at La Huerta del Cura, or the Priest’s Orchard. You will find plants both rare and typical in this oasis, from lemon to pomegranate trees, and Moorish-style fountains. The famous Imperial Palm, with its seven branches sprouting from one trunk, stands at the center of the garden. As you enjoy the oasis of calm, you will have the chance to sample local produce such as dates, figs, dried apricots and the heady date liqueur.

Make the most of your visit, exploring by Segway® PT—the standing electronic scooter-like vehicle. More than a walking tour, this mode of travel lets you see a lot of Cartagena in a short period. You will meet your guide at the pier. During an instructional and safety briefing, you’ll learn how to control your Segway PT using small body movements. Then begin along the flat quayside promenade before climbing one of Cartagena’s hills. Along the way, you will pass the 13th-century Concepción Castle, built using stones pilfered from the nearby Roman Theater Museum. Once you reach the hilltop, you can admire amazing views of the city and the bay. You will also zip along the tree-lined paths of Cartagena’s Torres Park, with its lush greenery fed by the Mediterranean sun. At the main shopping area, enjoy free time browsing charming shops before returning to your ship by Segway PT.

Immerse yourself in local culture and cuisine as our Executive Chef leads you on an interactive culinary adventure. Journey by mini-coach to the local market to handpick ingredients under the guidance of our Chef. Later this evening, you will dine on regional dishes prepared by our experienced culinary team, using produce from the market. As you and your fellow guests enjoy this delicious creation at The Kitchen Table, you will also observe the art of plating with each dish. From fresh market fare to cooking techniques and elegant presentation, experience firsthand how your ship’s world-class culinary staff brings distinct, local flavors from the market to your taste buds. It is an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind opportunity to shop, interact and dine with the masters.

Discover Cartagena and its historic cultural diversity as you explore the city by foot. This city has seen several ancient civilizations rise and fall due to its prime location and abundance of natural resources. Enjoy a tour with your local guide, retracing the footsteps of the first settlers in Europe, and unveil over 3,000 years of history. View the only preserved remains of the Cartagenian civilization at the Punic Wall archaeological site, and hear the testimonies of the city’s various inhabitants. Visit the House of Fortune, where you will be invited to step into the living quarters of a Roman household for a sneak peek into daily life during the time of Roman civilization. Marvel at the archaeological remains of the Roman Theater, which lay undiscovered for more than 2,000 years. Stroll through the Old Town and admire its 19th-century town houses, built during the heyday of the Industrial Revolution, before returning to your ship.

Explore Cartagena’s culinary specialties and famous sights on a walking tour. Meet your local guide and embark on a scenic stroll around the ancient city of Cartagena. Witness the historic Old Town, and hear tales of the rise and fall of ancient civilizations. Your guide will regale you with accounts from the prosperous Roman times to the Golden Age of the 16th century. See both the historic sites of the city, including the Palace Hall and Maritime Wall, and modern Cartagena with its impressive architecture. During your tour, you will visit three local eateries to sample a selection of typical tapas dishes, paired with a glass of sangria, wine or a soft drink. Savor the fresh ingredients of dishes that have been lovingly prepared, using produce straight from the market or caught from the sea that very morning.

Savor the taste of fine artisanal products from the Murcia region with visits to a local cheese factory and eatery. Explore the city of Cartagena by foot, hearing tales of the rise and fall of ancient civilizations as your guide regales you with accounts from the Roman times to the Golden Age of the 16th century. See both the historic sites of the city and modern Cartagena with its impressive architecture, before stopping at a local restaurant. Here, you will sample a regional specialty, salted fish, accompanied by a glass of wine, sangria or beer. After, relax on a panoramic drive to an artisanal cheese factory, where you will learn about the cheese-making process and the different varieties produced in the region. Conclude your visit with a drive to a small country house, where you will have the opportunity to sample several cheeses, accompanied by local wine, before returning to your ship.

Admire the grace, beauty and intelligence of Andalusian horses during an engaging dance performance. The Andalusian horse is a breed from the Iberian Peninsula that traces its ancestral line back thousands of years. It has long been prized as a war horse and favored for dressage, a highly skilled equestrian art form. Embark on a scenic drive by motor coach to your venue. Upon arrival, enjoy a presentation of the stallions, then enjoy an opportunity to see the mares and the recently born foals. You will also have an opportunity to sample a delicious Spanish omelette, accompanied by a glass of local wine, water or a soft drink. Following your snack, appreciate the training the horses demonstrate as they perform the intricate steps of “La Doma Española” during a Sevillanas performance. Afterward, transfer back to your ship via a panoramic drive through Cartagena.

Immerse yourself in local life on a visit to a traditional neighborhood market, then sample a Cartagenian favorite. Learn about Cartagena’s past during a guided stroll from the pier through the historic district on your way to the Mercado Santa Florentina. Located on the corner of a bustling square, this thriving market attracts locals and tourists alike with its wide variety of local produce, fresh bread, artisanal cheeses, traditional charcuterie and more. Enjoy free time to explore on your own; chat with locals or browse the many stalls for a culinary memento. Afterward, head to a nearby plaza and relax at a café, where you may sip on a local favorite—Asiático coffee. This popular drink is a delicious combination of coffee, condensed milk and cognac, with a splash of Licor 43. Enjoy your beverage, then continue your panoramic walk through the historic city center and back to your awaiting ship.