Connoisseur’s Delight: Northern Spain & Portugal
8 nights
Star Explorer
30 Aug '27Cruise overview
Some experiences are just too good to rush, and this voyage to Northern Spain, Portugal, and Bordeaux is one of them. That’s why our thoughtfully planned itinerary includes long days in port and overnight stays — time to savor the very best of this bountiful region. Taste Galicia’s legendary seafood fresh from the Bay of Biscay, sample port within sight of the Douro River in Porto, share pintxos with new Basque friends, and wine and dine amid French vineyards on the “hill with a thousand chateaux.” When you’re not busy pampering your palate, delve into the fascinating history of this region. There are ancient Roman baths in Gijon, medieval Old Towns, and countless modern wonders like Portugal’s stunning, multicolored Pena Palace and the iconic Guggenheim in Bilbao.
Itinerary
Bordeaux
Bordeaux as a whole, rather than any particular points within it, is what you’ll want to visit in order to understand why Victor Hugo described it as Versailles plus Antwerp, and why the painter Francisco de Goya, when exiled from his native Spain, chose it as his last home (he died here in 1828). The capital of southwest France and the region’s largest city, Bordeaux remains synonymous with the wine trade: wine shippers have long maintained their headquarters along the banks of the Garonne, while buyers from around the world arrive for the huge biennial Vinexpo show (held in odd-number years).Bordeaux is, admittedly, a less exuberant city than many others in France, but lively and stylish elements are making a dent in its conservative veneer. The cleaned-up riverfront is said by some, after a bottle or two, to exude an elegance reminiscent of St. Petersburg, and that aura of 18th-century élan also permeates the historic downtown sector—“le vieux Bordeaux”—where fine shops invite exploration. To the south of the city center are old docklands undergoing renewal—one train station has now been transformed into a big multiplex movie theater—but the area is still a bit shady. To get a feel for the historic port of Bordeaux, take the 90-minute boat trip that leaves Quai Louis-XVIII every weekday afternoon, or the regular passenger ferry that plies the Garonne between Quai Richelieu and the Pont d’Aquitaine in summer. A nice time to stroll around the city center is the first Sunday of the month, when it’s pedestrian-only and vehicles are banned.
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Bordeaux
Biarritz
Biarritz
Bilbao
Gijón
Vigo
Leixões
Lisbon
Deluxe Suite
DECK | CABIN TYPE: Suite | 288 SQ FT
This 288-square-foot suite welcomes you with spectacular views, courtesy of the sliding glass doors that lead out to your private balcony. The outdoor space adds another 110 square feet, enough to sit outside comfortably and enjoy the breeze. The bedroom features an inviting queen bed and its own sliding glass door with balcony access, while the bathroom includes a luxurious walk-in mosaic glass shower with rain head and body jets.
All Accommodations Feature
- Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens
- Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers
- Interactive TV
- Mini Bar/Refrigerator
- Safe
- Direct Dial Phone
- L’Occitane Bath Amenities
- Fresh Fruit
- Hair Dryers and 110/220 outlets
- Wi-Fi Internet Access (various plans available for purchase)
- Mirrored closet with ample drawer space
- Vanity with magnifying mirror and chair
Amenities
- Queen or Twin Configuration
- Vanity Area
- Shower
- Toiletries Provided
- TV
- Media/Entertainment Station
- Safe
- Hair Dryer
- Telephone
- Desk
- Air Conditioning
- Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)
- Mini Bar (Additional Cost)
Ship features
Accomodation
All Accommodations Feature
- Queen Size Bed with Luxurious Linens
- Waffle Weave Robe and Slippers
- Interactive TV
- Mini Bar/Refrigerator
- Safe
- Direct Dial Phone
- L’Occitane Bath Amenities
- Fresh Fruit
- Hair Dryers and 110/220 outlets
- Wi-Fi Internet Access (various plans available for purchase)
- Mirrored closet with ample drawer space
- Vanity with magnifying mirror and chair