Two-week Viking Cruise – Trade Routes!

Posted on June 4, 2026 by jjspina

We recently went on a two-week Viking Cruise to the Trade Routes. It was a wonderful trip and we saw some beautiful places.

Here is our itinerary where we traveled below:

A printed schedule for the Viking Saturn cruise, detailing ports of call from Barcelona, Spain to Bergen, Norway from May 16 to May 30, 2026. Includes a map and daily itinerary with arrival and departure times.

Our first stop was Barcelona, Spain where we came on board the Viking Saturn. It is always good to unpack and discover the ship and all its luxuries and FOOD! There was plenty of that. I think I gained a few pounds on all the sweets which I don’t usually eat! Yikes!

I have many photos to share below of each stop. Unfortunately, my husband injured his back and was in pain after the third day and couldn’t go on a couple of excursions. He visited the doctor and received meds and shots. He also used a cane and then a walker in order to get around faster. He is still in pain now that we are home but will be visiting a doctor soon. Otherwise, it was a wonderful trip.

Scenes below are of Spain – Barcelona, Cartagena and Malaga:

Several sailboats on calm blue water under a partly cloudy sky.
Sunset over a calm ocean with clouds and a silhouette of palm trees in the foreground.
View of the intricate rooftop and architecture of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, featuring unique shapes and designs against a clear blue sky.
A couple poses for a photo in front of a grand, intricately designed cathedral, with stone carvings visible on the building's facade. Other tourists can be seen in the background.
Large wooden double doors with intricate geometric carvings, flanked by stone walls and a nearby parked vehicle on a cobblestone street.
A large, brown wooden door with decorative designs at the top, situated within a stone building on a narrow street.
An empty ancient amphitheater with a circular seating area, steps, and visitors walking throughout the structure under a clear blue sky.
Aerial view of a bullring surrounded by modern buildings, featuring an arena with sandy ground and tiered seating.
A panoramic view of a coastal port with buildings and structures in the foreground, featuring several boats and ships in the water, under a clear blue sky.
A distant view of a historic building in a city, featuring a partially visible roof structure under construction. Tall modern buildings and a crane are present in the background, with greenery and older structures in the foreground.
A stone building with arched entrances and balconies, surrounded by palm trees and greenery, on a clear blue sky day.
A vibrant jacaranda tree in full bloom, showcasing clusters of purple flowers against a clear blue sky, with a yellow building and city scene visible in the background.
A man and a woman sitting on a bench next to a bronze statue of a seated man in an outdoor plaza, surrounded by buildings and trees.
An ornate stone archway featuring intricate carvings and sculptures, leading to a large, dark wooden door with metal studs, surrounded by a decorative iron railing.
A seafood vendor at a market, standing behind a counter filled with various shellfish, including oysters, barnacles, and snails. The vendor is wearing an apron and gloves, while price signs in Spanish indicate the costs of the seafood on display.
A market stall featuring a variety of cured meats displayed in packages, with a vendor engaging customers. The stall is well-lit, and there are other food items visible in the background.
Vibrant market stall displaying a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, including cherries, peaches, apricots, and grapes. Handwritten price signs are visible alongside the produce.
A vibrant market stall filled with an assortment of fresh fruits, including cherries, melons, and oranges, with a vendor weighing produce in the background.
A vibrant fruit market stall displaying a variety of fresh tropical fruits including dragon fruit, mangosteen, avocados, and more. A vendor stands behind the counter, with colorful fruits arranged in baskets.
A serene sunset view over the water, featuring a silhouette of a mountain against a gradient sky transitioning from dark blue to warm orange and yellow tones.

Scenes of Porto, Portugal:

A woman standing on a riverfront promenade, looking at her phone, with a small boat docked nearby and a large bridge in the background. The scene includes hills with buildings on top, under a clear blue sky.
Interior view of a grand church featuring an ornate ceiling, intricate architectural details, and a prominent altar with golden accents, with visitors seated and standing throughout the space.
A detailed Baroque altarpiece depicting a crucifixion scene with a sculpted figure of Jesus on the cross, surrounded by ornate gold decorations and angels. In the foreground, two people are visible, focused on the altar.
Boats docked by a waterfront, with colorful flags and buildings in the background under a clear blue sky.
Historic gray building with intricate architectural details and a tall tower, featuring the letters 'BBVA' on the facade, surrounded by green trees and a clear blue sky.

Falmouth, England:

A picturesque view of a castle on a hill surrounded by greenery, with a sandy beach in the foreground where two people stroll. In the water, two kayakers paddle while boats are anchored nearby.
A view of a coastal village with low houses and a hillside, with several buses parked in the foreground and people walking nearby.
A herd of cows grazing in a lush green field with trees and hills in the background.
View of residential houses along a street, featuring various architectural styles, chimneys, and greenery along the roadside.

Bruges, Belgium:

A picturesque brick building with a pointed tower surrounded by lush greenery, reflecting in a calm river on a sunny day, with people enjoying outdoor seating nearby.
A picturesque brick building with intricate details, surrounded by trees and a clear blue sky, with a person walking in the foreground.
A busy boat filled with passengers cruising down a scenic canal on a sunny day, with another boat visible in the background.
A storefront with a door featuring a humorous sign about friendship and chocolate. The sign reads, 'There is nothing better than a friend unless it is a friend with chocolat.' The door has a small sign indicating 'Open' and 'Airco.' Decorative flowers and a sign for a chocolatier can be seen.
A horse pulling a carriage in a cobblestone street, with a man in shorts walking alongside and a shop featuring chocolate in the background, adorned with colorful flower decorations.
Exterior view of a chocolate shop named 'Le Comptoir de Mathilde,' featuring floral decorations, a sign reading 'Chocolaterie,' and tourists in front of the store.
A picturesque street view featuring an archway leading to a courtyard, flanked by two historical buildings. One building has a mix of brick and wooden architecture, while the other displays a shop sign for Belgian tapestries. A line of people is gathered outside, enjoying a sunny day.
A scenic view of a canal in a historic European town, featuring a stone bridge with pedestrians, a boat with passengers on the water, and charming old buildings with colorful rooftops under a clear blue sky.

Amsterdam, Netherlands:

View of multiple arched bridges spanning a canal, surrounded by greenery and reflections on the water.
A view of traditional Dutch canal houses along the water in Amsterdam, featuring houseboats and trees lining the canal.
A view of historic buildings along a waterfront, featuring a prominent church with multiple domes and towers in the background.
A multi-story building showcasing Asian architectural style with a green and gold roof, situated next to a body of water, surrounded by modern buildings.
A view of several boats moored on a canal in Amsterdam, with historic brick buildings in the background and a large structure resembling a mill.
View under a stone bridge with a bicycle on top, spanning a quiet canal with reflective water and trees along the banks.
Selfie of two women smiling at the camera in a modern building with elevators in the background.

Our wonderful guide in Amsterdam, Wendy!

Honfleur, France:

A scenic view of a hillside populated with a mix of historical and modern architecture surrounded by lush greenery.
A Ferris wheel in a scenic town surrounded by lush greenery and hilly landscapes.
A scenic view of a town with a mix of rooftops and green hills in the background.

Due to John’s injury, we missed the excursions to Portsmouth, England, Honfleur, France and Bergen, Norway. We had already been to Norway on another cruise and didn’t need to go on this excursion since we saw a lot of it previously. I took the above photos from the ship above of France.

Views of Bergen, Norway, a small submersible, and a war ship that arrived as we were there.

A brightly lit ferris wheel stands against a foggy backdrop, partially obscured by nearby buildings and satellite dishes.
A military vessel docked at a port, featuring a large crane for loading and unloading cargo, with containers stacked on the deck and a coastal view in the background.
A submarine partially submerged in water, docked next to a pier with a green and gray building in the background.
A white church with a green spire and cross, surrounded by colorful buildings and trees, with a mountainous backdrop under a cloudy sky.
A view of pink buildings with red roofs in the foreground, set against a backdrop of lush green hills and trees, with a small white house visible on the hillside.
A scenic view of a densely populated hillside neighborhood with houses featuring red rooftops, surrounded by lush green trees.

Here are some photos of the ship, tea time, dinners, and the cafe with all the wonderful food. There was plenty of shrimp, King crab and Dungeness crab. Each night they had a different meat at the carving station. Of course they had plenty of salads and desserts which I ate each night. I gained a few pounds but will be working to get it off again now that I am away from the cafe.

There are also four other restaurants to visit beside the World Cafe. We dined at The Restaurant most nights and ate at the World Cafe each morning and afternoon. There is a visit to the bridge also which was interesting.

A modern buffet counter with a variety of food options, including fruits and desserts, and a staff member in a white chef's coat preparing dishes.
A smiling older couple taking a selfie indoors, with a cruise ship visible through the window behind them.
An older man sitting at a dining table with a fork in hand, enjoying a colorful plate of fruit. A coffee cup and a glass of water are also on the table, along with a pitcher, in a modern restaurant setting with large windows overlooking the water.
A tiered serving stand filled with assorted pastries, including scones, macarons, and small cakes, accompanied by a teapot and cups of tea on a wooden table.
A smiling woman with long gray hair sitting at a table in a restaurant, raising a glass of red wine. She is wearing a navy blue blouse and a light cardigan, with a plate of food in front of her.
A plated meal featuring slices of meat with a glossy sauce, accompanied by mashed potatoes, a green vegetable, and a potato cake. In the background, there's a glass of red wine and a plate of fries.
A woman with long gray hair, wearing a colorful scarf, smiles while raising a glass of red wine at a restaurant, with a plate of food in front of her.
Close-up of a gourmet dish featuring a tender piece of meat on top of a square of polenta, garnished with fresh greens and surrounded by a rich sauce, with a glass of red wine and water in the background.
Two people smiling together at a restaurant table with a view of a marina in the background. The man is seated wearing a maroon sweater, while the woman stands beside him, both appearing happy. A partially eaten dessert and drinks are on the table.
An elderly man using a walking cane is exiting a room, wearing a patterned polo shirt and grey pants.
Indoor swimming pool area with a glass roof and sun loungers. Several people relaxing by the pool, with some swimming. Bright and airy atmosphere with natural light flooding in.
Interior view of a sunlit lounge area with chaise lounges under a glass roof, showing people relaxing and a clear blue sky above.
A seafood buffet with a variety of dishes including salmon, shrimp, crab, and other seafood options. Guests are serving themselves, with a Norwegian flag visible in the background.
A close-up view of a seafood display featuring lobster and various sauces, with a chef's hand serving the food. Colorful peppers and black stones are also visible in the presentation.
A close-up of a seafood dish featuring shrimp, squid, and chorizo in a savory broth, garnished with fresh herbs and served with a slice of toasted bread.
A smiling waiter in formal attire shakes hands with a seated elderly man at a restaurant table, with a glass of red wine and a tablet visible.
Woman seated on a couch, smiling and holding a cup of tea against a backdrop of ocean views.
Aerial view of a rooftop pool area featuring a larger swimming pool and a smaller hot tub, overlooking a river with industrial scenery in the background, including cranes and shipping containers.
A view from a cruise ship deck featuring lounge chairs and tables overlooking a calm river, with a bridge visible in the background under a clear blue sky.
Two young men in white uniforms with epaulets stand side by side in a ship's bridge with control panels and large windows in the background.
A ship officer in uniform operating communication equipment on the bridge of a ship, with various control panels and instructions visible.

The entertainment was wonderful with many talented singers and musicians. Here are some photos that I snapped along with some selfies of us.

Robert Brendan was the most talented and amazing cruise director I have ever heard and seen! His assistant cruise director was equally talented – Troy Lathan. The four cruise singers were wonderful also! I got to take a photo with some of them below. There was also another singer, Crystal, who sang like Whitney Houston when she sang, I will always Love You! She took my breath away! Wow!

A smiling older woman with long gray hair and earrings, wearing a colorful jacket, poses for a selfie in front of a window.
A smiling woman wearing a light sweater and floral top, standing outdoors on a deck with wooden furniture and a scenic view of a harbor and mountains in the background.
A selfie of an older man and woman smiling, with a view of a harbor containing cruise ships and mountains in the background, taken from inside a building with rain on the window.
A group of five individuals posing for a photo, featuring performers in red, white, and blue striped outfits, with one person in a floral top. The background includes a brightly lit sign.
Wonderful Cruise Singers – David, Amelia, me, Mels & Mikey
A smiling couple poses for a selfie in a venue with theater seating in the background. The man is wearing a black suit with a floral pattern, and the woman is in a floral-patterned blouse.
Fabulous Cruise Director – Robert Brendan
Four performers in striped outfits singing on stage under blue lights.
A musical performance featuring four performers in stylish striped outfits, with a drummer in the background, under stage lights.
A couple smiling for a selfie in a theater, with an audience visible in the background.
A singer in a sparkling blue gown performs on stage with a band in the background, featuring a drummer and keyboardist. The stage is illuminated with colorful lights and a backdrop displaying the Viking logo.
A male singer performing on stage in a formal suit, with a band in the background including a keyboardist and a drummer, under colorful stage lights.
A performer in a black suit singing on stage, with colorful stage lights and a starry backdrop.
A screen displaying the text 'Dancing Under The Stars' with a starry background and decorative lighting in a venue setting.
A last night of music and dancing! I danced my feet off! So much fun!
A person speaking into a microphone in a purple-lit setting, with a microphone stand nearby.
Assistant Cruise Director – Troy Lathan – Fantastic
A woman smiling for a selfie on a cruise ship with a harbor and industrial background, featuring clear blue water and sunny skies.
A smiling man and woman taking a selfie in a crowded venue, with seats and audience members in the background.
A smiling couple with headphones on, posing for a selfie with a scenic view of a coastline and city in the background.
A smiling senior couple posing for a selfie in front of a scenic ocean view with clear blue skies.
A woman with gray hair smiling while leaning on a railing of a cruise ship, with a scenic ocean view and a mountainous landscape in the background.
A smiling couple in sunglasses posing for a selfie in front of a historic cathedral with intricate stonework, surrounded by tourists.

We met some lovely people and made new friends. I also met other lovely new friends – Lee and her husband Mike and her stepmother Pat. I don’t have a phot of them though.

A man and a woman pose together, smiling. The man is wearing a gray blazer over a light blue shirt, while the woman is dressed in a black and white patterned outfit. They are in a spacious indoor setting with attendees in the background.
Joe & Ruth
A smiling older woman wearing a navy sweater and patterned scarf stands next to an older man in a red shirt and navy vest, both in a social setting with other people and soft lighting in the background.
Candra & Frank

It was a wonderful trip, but travel was tough with three plane changes on our way home. This made it difficult for John since he wasn’t walking too well with the pain. It was nice to be away but good to be home again. There is no place like home.

I hope you enjoyed all our photos.Thank you so much for stopping by to read this post and for your continued support. Please come back again soon.

Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!

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Janice Spina aka J.E. Spina

Award-Winning Author

Jemsbooks for All Ages!

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Jjspina(at)comcast(dot)net

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About jjspina

Janice is a multi-award-winning author with 50 books: 23 children's books for PS-Gr 4, 12 middle-grade/preteen, four young adult books, all written by Janice Spina, and nine novels, and two short story collections written by J.E. Spina. She is also a writer of poetry, blogger, avid reader, reviewer, copy editor and supporter of her fellow authors. Janice has always loved writing and started young writing poetry, then stories. Her books have received 50 Book Awards and a few finalists awards, and many 5-star reviews from Readers’ Favorite Book Awards and on Amazon. All Janice's books are available on Amazon.com in paperback, eBook and audiobook formates, B&N and other online book sites. Her hobbies are crocheting, sewing, walking to keep fit, hula hooping, tap dancing, going to dinner with her husband, and spending time with family and friends. Janice loves to hear from readers and appreciates reviews. Sign up on her blog http://jemsbooks.blog for updates of her books. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband who is her illustrator and cover creator and two tanks of fish.
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4 Responses to Two-week Viking Cruise – Trade Routes!

  1. Darlene's avatar Darlene says:
    June 4, 2026 at 12:28 pm

    Wow! This looks like an amazing trip. It’s great you got to see my part of the world. We live about 30 minutes from Cartagena. I love that place. Sorry to hear about your husband’s injury. That is never fun. Your pictures are great! I agree, getting to these places and then home again is getting more difficult.

    Reply
    • jjspina's avatar jjspina says:
      June 4, 2026 at 3:32 pm

      Thank you so much, Darlene. Yes, it is getting more difficult to travel especially at our ages. This may be the last cruise we will take. We had planned a river cruise next year but just cancelled it until we know how John will be doing. We still go to Aruba but that may not be for much longer either. Fingers crossed. Thanks for stopping by. Spain was lovely!! hugs

      Reply
  2. gseddd2c31e1d4b's avatar gseddd2c31e1d4b says:
    June 4, 2026 at 9:05 pm

    Wow, what an amazing trip that was. Thank you for sharing. I was with you going all the places.

    Reply

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