Aug
2019
Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas France & Belgium Mini Cruise – 30th August 2019
Fancy a long weekend break at the end of the school summer holidays? This three-night mini cruise is ideal for exploring Northern Europe.
Hop aboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas and head to Belgium and France in one easy swoop.
Oh no, the ship has sailed on this cruise
Sorry, the ship has sailed on this mini cruise and I'm sure it was a blast! Never mind though, there are plenty more mini cruises to choose from.
About this cruise
Your three-night adventure begins in Southampton on Friday 30th August 2019, where you will board this large beast of a cruise ship. It has everything you could need - or want - on a cruise holiday. If you want a lazy, relaxing holiday, you will appreciate the loungers, quiet spaces, indoor promenade, and spa. For action, look no further than the VR trampoline park and the FlowRider surfing simulator. The kids will love the Splashaway Bay water park.
This itinerary is jam-packed with ports so you won't have a sea day to relax and unwind, so you might want to use your evenings wisely to tour the ship. Make sure you catch a theatre show, and soak in the live entertainment that Royal Caribbean does so well.
The ship sails through the night while you have fun and sleep, so you will be ready to tackle Bruges on Saturday. The ship docks in Zeebrugge, a short distance away, so you will need to book a shore excursion or catch the tram to Blankenberge and then the train to the medieval Belgian city. Check out the countless chocolate shops, the many bars and restaurants, and the variety of museums. Alternatively, the beach at Blankenberge should be tempting if the weather in late August holds up. If you've visited Bruges before, stay on the tram and head to Ostend for something a little different.
Again you'll sail overnight. Sunday's port of call is the French port of call of Cherbourg. Cherbourg is easy to walk around in and is lined with restaurants and cafés. Save some shoe leather and head to the La Cité de la Mer Maritime Museum next to the cruise port (it even has a full-size submarine on display outside).
All good things have to come to an end, and sadly, on Monday morning, the final call is Southampton where you will disembark.
The Route
The itinerary for this mini cruise is:
| Day | Date | Port | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Friday 30th August 2019 | Southampton | 4.30pm |
| 2 | Saturday 31st August 2019 | Zeebrugge | 7am to 6pm |
| 3 | Sunday 1st September 2019 | Cherbourg | 8am to 7pm |
| 4 | Monday 2nd September 2019 | Southampton | 5.30am |
Why choose this taster cruise?
- 3 nights on Royal Caribbean's family-friendly ship, Independence of the Seas
- Departs on Friday 30th August 2019
- Sail round-trip from Southampton
- Hit France and Belgium in one easy cruise
So you know, the map above shows point-to-point lines which may cross land. Don't worry, your cruise ship will not sprout legs and run across dry land. Instead it's water all the way! Mapping is approximate, and the scheduled times are estimates. Your trip is subject to change as, occasionally, operators have to alter itineraries due to bad weather or unforeseen events.
The Price
Oh no, the ship has sailed on this cruise
Sorry, the ship has sailed on this mini cruise and I'm sure it was a blast! Never mind though, there are plenty more mini cruises to choose from.
More choices
Not quite right? Here are some other suggestions that may suit better.