The itinerary is the star of this cruise. The brand-new Noordam was just the sideshow.

About us: I am 39 and my husband, Rich, is 44. Ive been on one cruise and Ive been to Europe several times (although never to any of these ports). Rich was new to both cruising and Europe. We tend to like higher-end travel such as Ritz-Carlton hotels and finer restaurants, but we are as apt to be munching a cheeseburger and gulping a beer as the next guy (or gal).

First I will give you my impressions of the ports and what we did at each one. After that Ill give you my thoughts on the cruise itself. Read more