If you have never cruised before but have always dreamt of sailing to iconic destinations, a mini cruise offers the perfect opportunity to experience a short full-board vacation on the water, before venturing out on a faraway destination voyage.
Also, when you are tight on time, and are craving for a new way of holidaying, consider amping up your weekend with a mini cruise from Southampton, UK, which serves as an ideal launching pad to some of the iconic destinations of Northern Europe.
While shore excursions to countries like Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Norway are very popular, before sailing from Southampton for your next-level escape, consider touring this charming port as it is an exciting destination in itself.
Southampton-gateway to the holiday of your life
There is no better way to kick-start your short vacation by spending a few hours cruising around the harbor to enjoy surreal views of the sights on shore from the sea.
If you have an extra day at hand, you can visit the picturesque seaside towns of Portsmouth or Brighton, or even London, which is just an hour away from Southampton.
For lovers of water-sports, the coastline of Southampton is perfect for high-speed motor boating, or maintaining your balance on a stand-up paddleboarding, or simply sailing along the coast to marvel at the breathtaking sights.
There are plenty of interesting sites at Bargate, a gatehouse that dates back more than a thousand years to the Norman times, for those who have a soft corner for medieval history. You can also find some ancient relics and artefacts at the St Michael’s church on Castle Way.
Look out for the free shuttle buses which go regularly from the cruise port terminal to several different popular museums around the city of Southampton.
Bruges-the best of both worlds
Your holiday of a lifetime begins the moment your cruise ship departs from the port of Southampton. Your time onboard will be full of fun before you arrive in Bruges, a seafront paradise as well as a famous European cultural hub.
This capital city of the province of West Flanders, in Belgium, is often referred to as the Venice of the North because of its canals, bridges and historical buildings, said to be some of the well-preserved structures in the whole of Europe.
Apart from the town centre being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a Bruges cruise will give you access to lively market squares and the most popular example of middle age architecture in the Belfry of Bruges.
Get an insight on the fishing history of Belgium at Seafront fish auction hall in this important sea port. Check out the WWII exhibition on Zeebrugge and pay a visit to the Russian submarine, West Hinder and the lighthouse ship.
Hip Hamburg-Gateway to the world
Hamburg is considered the most cosmopolitan city in Germany, and a place known for its remarkable architectural landmarks like the baroque Church of St Michael and the imposing neo-renaissance Hamburg Rathaus.
A cruise to this country will provide a fun-filled experience about the lively restaurant and bar scene along the Elbe River, while taking in views of the Hamburg Harbor, the third busiest port in Europe.
History buffs will have plenty of reasons to rejoice at the internationally influenced Sankt Pauli district, home to a Chinatown dating back to the 1890s, or at the Moenckebergstrasse, with its classical German churches and old-school European vibe.
Moreover, Hamburg has more museums than any other city in Europe, such as the historic Rathaus City Hall with its picture-postcard 19th century facade, which is best discovered on foot. Cruise through the historic warehouses along the Speicherstadt canal for an out-of-the-world experience.
Rotterdam-Netherlands biggest surprise
Badly damaged during WWII, Rotterdam was gradually restored between the 1950s and the 1970s, and is today a lively and pulsating city which is home to a diverse and multicultural population.
The one place that escaped the 1940 bombardment was the old harbor of Delfshaven, which is now home to a historic marina which showcases what the city looked like at that time.
Rotterdam also has some top-class museums, but none better than the Boijmans, Van Beuningen and the Kunsthal located inside the Rotterdam Museum Park. Cruise to Rotterdam to take selfies with windmills along the Kralingse Plas Lake or enjoy the colorful Rotterdam summer festival.
Sample local delicacies at the Markthal, a striking landmark of the city which has accommodated 96 stalls of food and other outlets. Try the Durch cheese and fresh fish while marveling at the ceiling which bears the largest artwork in the world.
