Overnight Calls Create Magical Evenings in Europe

During select European cruises, overnight calls and late night tours open up a whole new world waiting to be explored. Guests can see ports of call like never before, as the moonlight casts a magical spell.

Put on your dancing shoes and experience the nightlife at Athens, Greece, or see the ballet at St. Petersburg, Russia. The night is young when guests arrive and there is always plenty to see and experience.

The stunning Flamenco dancers of Barcelona.

The 11-day Mediterranean Explorer cruise aboard ms Noordam, begins with an overnight call at Barcelona, Spain. Enjoy dinner and dancing with the Flamenco with Dinner tour. Feel like a local when you enjoy a traditional Spanish meal of seafood paella and watch an authentic Spanish performance. Flamenco is composed of three elements: song, dance and guitar. They all come together beautifully and will have you shouting “ole” in excitement!

Athens’ Acropolis lights up the night.

Book A Night in the Plaka and experience the famous Athens nightlife. The 28-day Borgundian & Aegean Explorer aboard ms Prinsendam allows guests to immerse themselves in Greek culture and enjoy the music, traditional dances and delicious Mediterranean cuisine. Guests will enjoy a drive through the city to the Plaka, or old town, before attending a beautiful show featuring typical Greek music and indulging in local wines.

Athens becomes more beautiful as the sun sets.

The Delphi Overnight Tour is a fabulous option. Depart the port of Piraeus and head to the Shrine of Apollo at Delphi. Examine the treasures and fifth century pieces at the Delphi Museum and see the Castalian Spring, the Sacred Way and the Grand Temple of Apollo. Spend your evening as you wish when you stay at a hotel in Delphi. The following morning you will head to Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Imagine the roar of the crowd as you visit the remains of the gymnasium and sports arena. Enjoy a country-style lunch, accompanied by wine and Syrtaki dancing. You will re-board the ship at Katakolon.

Photo credit: http://www.mariinsky.ru/en

Visit the spectacular Mariinsky Theater in Russia and enjoy a live ballet performance. The ms Eurodam is just the ship to take you there, with the 12-day Baltic Adventure itinerary. The Marrinsky Theater opened in 1860 and has since debuted many stage masterpieces, including some from Tchaikovsky. Enjoy the art of Russian classical ballet in a world-renown theater at a night in St. Petersburg you will never forget.

They say Venice, Italy, is best admired by the water, and at night the moonlit reflections create a magical atmosphere. The 12-day Mediterranean Empires Cruise aboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam features an overnight call at this beautiful port. Enjoy an evening gondola ride along the canals as musicians serenade you along the way.

What do you like to do on overnight calls? Do you go out and explore or do you prefer to stay onboard and enjoy the ship?