Winter Cruise 2024
Voyage to Thirteen Ports
A Winter Cruise Aboard MSC Euribia - January 2024
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Book Details
About the Book
On January 7, 2024, in Hamburg: "All aboard!" For three weeks, the MSC Euribia sailed along Europe’s coasts, through Morocco’s royal cities, and to the Islands of Eternal Spring, before returning to her home port on January 28. In this personal travelogue, the author invites readers to join an extraordinary winter cruise. With vivid impressions from ports such as Bruges, Lisbon, Rabat, and Tenerife, and detailed day-by-day accounts, the journey comes to life as if you were on board yourself. A book for cruise enthusiasts, travel lovers, and anyone wishing to escape the gray winter for a little while.
About the Book
Voyage to Thirteen Ports
Three weeks. Thirteen ports. Countless impressions.
This personal travelogue invites you to join a winter cruise aboard MSC Euribia, sailing from Hamburg along the coasts of Western Europe, through Morocco’s royal cities, to the sunny Canary Islands – before returning home across the North Sea.
Every port tells its own story. From the medieval alleys of Bruges and the modern skyline of Rotterdam, to the Moorish grandeur of Rabat and the eternal spring of Madeira, each stop reveals a new facet of Europe’s rich diversity. The Canary Islands surprise with sun, beaches, and vibrant city life, while Southampton adds a touch of Titanic nostalgia before the voyage ends in Hamburg.
Beyond the ports, the book also explores life at sea. What makes a day on board unique? How does the evening entertainment feel in the Delphi Theatre? Which activities, curiosities, and little traditions turn a ship into a floating home? With practical tips on excursions, clothing, and daily routines, you’ll get a vivid picture of what cruising is really like.
Special sections offer inspiration for independent explorations: whether it’s taking the train to Brussels, tasting cheese in Gouda, wandering hidden corners of Santiago de Compostela, or enjoying Tenerife’s relaxed charm – there are ideas for every traveler.
Written with a personal touch, the book blends information with anecdotes, making it both entertaining and inspiring. It is ideal for cruise newcomers curious about their first voyage, as well as experienced travelers looking for fresh ideas.
All photographs are printed in black and white, but are available in full color and higher resolution on the author’s website.
For cruise lovers, travel enthusiasts, or anyone wishing to escape the gray of winter – this book brings the magic of the sea and the variety of Europe’s coasts to life.
Book Details
Highlights
- Bruges and Zeebrugge with medieval streets and Belgian charm
- Rotterdam with a modern skyline and architectural icons
- Rabat and Casablanca with Moorish splendor and colorful souks
- Madeira with gardens, viewpoints, and classic wicker toboggans
- The Canary Islands with sun, beaches, and lively cities
- Southampton with maritime history and Titanic nostalgia
Reading Samples
Reading Samples
Three selected chapters will soon offer a first glimpse into the book.
Chapter 3 Arrival: Kiel – Hamburg
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Our journey began on Saturday, January 6th, 2024. The night before, heavy snow had fallen, and in the morning, Kiel was still covered in a thick white blanket. Our taxi arrived on time, and the first challenge of the trip presented itself: fitting three people, three large suitcases, three backpacks, and one extra handbag into a Toyota Station Wagon. Somehow, it all went in. Having a little “Tetris” experience in everyday life certainly helps.
At the train station, we quickly grabbed a sandwich before boarding. The train left right on schedule, a small miracle when traveling with Deutsche Bahn. But the joy didn’t last long. In Neumünster, the journey suddenly ended; a signal tower was out of order. The replacement train had only two single-level coaches. Since our original four-car double-decker was already full to the last seat, not everyone made it on board, including us.
So, we called another taxi, this time a spacious Mercedes van. The ride was pleasant at first, but near Quickborn/Bad Bramstedt we ended up stuck in a massive traffic jam, losing an hour. In the afternoon we finally arrived at Hotel Condor, where our rooms were already waiting.
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Chapter 4 Bruges, Belgium
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That morning greeted us with brilliant sunshine, but also with bitter cold. It felt like -11° Celsius, and already on the way to the theater, where the excursion groups gathered, it was clear: hats and gloves would be our best friends today. Soon after, we boarded Bus No. 17, which took us directly to Bruges in about 25 minutes. Even on the drive in, it was obvious we were in for a very special day. Our guide told us about the country’s history, its mix of languages (Dutch, French, and German), and, of course, about Bruges’ golden age as a trading hub.
Armed with a city map, we set off from the bus parking area to explore it on our own. Right at the start, we passed the striking red Barge Bridge.
From there, we had a wonderful view of the canals and the brick façades of the houses. It looked like a winter fairytale. Just a few steps farther, we came across the Powder Tower, a remnant of the old city fortifications. Once used to store gunpowder, today it is a popular photo spot.
One of my favorite places was the Beguinage quarter. Founded in the 13th century, it was a kind of monastic community for unmarried women who lived there under their own rules. Covered in snow and almost deserted, the courtyard had a quiet, almost mysterious atmosphere.
Our next route took us to the Church of Our Lady. Its 115-meter brick tower dominates the skyline and is one of the tallest of its kind in the world. Inside, a true treasure awaited: Michelangelo’s Madonna and Child. It is one of the few of his sculptures to have ever left Italy, radiating a dignity that is hard to put into words.
By then, the cold was making itself felt, and a pause in a small café came at just the right time. A hot chocolate (thick, creamy, and delicious) warmed both our hands and our mood. Refreshed, we continued to the Belfry. At 83 meters, with its 47 bells that have marked the life of Bruges for centuries, it is the city’s most famous landmark. Climbing it would surely have been rewarding, but on that day we were content to admire it from below.
At the Market Square, we found ourselves surrounded by magnificent gabled houses, glowing even more beautifully in the winter sun. There we visited the exhibition Historic Bruges. Models, images, and small interactive displays showed the city’s development from a Hanseatic trading hub to today’s World Heritage treasure.
Naturally, the culinary side of Belgium could not be missed. Belgian fries with the typical specialty sauce made of ketchup, mayonnaise, and onions tasted excellent. Just the thing to warm up for a moment.
Later, I tried a waffle, freshly baked, golden brown, with that unmistakable aroma that instantly lifts your spirits.
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Chapter 14 Lisbon, Portugal
[…]
In the late afternoon, we let the day wind down. Sitting at the back of the ship, we enjoyed the view of the waterfront and the city slowly passing by as twilight fell. At 7 p.m., it was time to cast off. With the setting sun behind us and the illuminated 25 de Abril Bridge glowing in the distance, we left Lisbon to continue our journey.
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