Antwerp, Belgium
The About Cruises Guide and the About Fishing Guide Cruise Scandinavia and Northern Europe
The Renaissance R6 left Zeebrugge last night and we sailed north up the coast to Antwerp. I was surprised to read that Antwerp is the world's fifth largest port, especially since it is about 60 miles up the Scheldt River from the North Sea. I was also surprised to read how Antwerp got its name. Supposedly, the word comes from the Flemish word handwerpen which means "throwing of the hand". An ancient legend says that there was an evil giant named Druon who patrolled the Scheldt, and cut off the head of any boatman who refused to pay his outrageous tolls. Brabo, a Roman centurion, eventually slay Druon and threw his hand into the Scheldt. A fountain in Antwerp's Grote Market memorializes this legend.
Today we had a tough decision on shore excursions. Should we do a half-day tour of Antwerp, wander Antwerp on our own, or go into Brussels and spend the entire day? Brussels is about an hour away from Antwerp. I would have loved to see the Atomium (picture at top left) and the Maneke Pis in Brussels. The 335-foot Atomium was the symbol of the 1958 World's Exhibition in Brussels. I was a small child in elementary school, and can remember how fascinating the idea of a "World's Fair" was! The Maneke Pis is the famous Brussels statue/fountain of a small boy "relieving himself". (Just use your imagination as to where the "fountain" is on the statue!) The Pis symbolizes the free spirit and fun-loving attitude of the Bruxellois.
Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world, also definitely sounded interesting. The Renaissance shore excursion included a stop at Diamondland for shopping, as well as a tour of the cobblestone streets and squares of the city. Diamondland won out, and we did the half-day tour that included a short stop at Diamondland. No, I didn't get a diamond, but Ronnie picked up a small, marble-sized rock from a flower bed and gave it to me. That was so I could tell my friends and family that I got a "rock" at Diamondland. After our half day shore excursion, we walked the short distance into town and explored the city. Since it was a beautiful Saturday, the streets and outdoor cafes were packed. It was a great day!
If you would like to follow the Garrisons on our 30th wedding anniversary cruise, check out the table below for links to each day's itinerary. You can also follow my postings to the About Cruises Forum. Click here for link to the About Cruises Forum postcards from the R6. Here are some links to the pictures I made and detailed articles from each port of call.
Pictures from the Renaissance R6 cruise
Articles on Each Port of Call --
Cruising from Dover to Le Havre on the Renaissance R6
Normandy Beaches - Le Havre and Normandy, France
D-Day Beaches - Arromanches and the Artificial Harbor
The Medieval City of Bruges, Belgium
A Walking Tour of Bruges (Brugge)
Sunday in Amsterdam, Netherlands
|
Date |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
|
Tuesday, August 14 |
-- |
-- |
|
|
Wednesday, August 15 |
Embark |
5:00 pm |
|
|
Thursday, August 16 |
8:00 am |
9:00 pm |
|
|
Friday, August 17 |
12:00 pm |
6:00 pm |
|
|
Saturday, August 18 |
8:00 am |
5:00 pm |
|
|
Sunday, August 19 |
8:00 am |
6:00 pm |
|
|
Monday, August 20 |
-- |
-- |
|
|
Tuesday, August 21 |
8:00 am |
5:00 pm |
|
|
Wednesday, August 22 |
12:00 pm |
-- |
|
|
Thursday, August 23 |
-- |
7:00 pm |
|
|
Friday, August 24 |
-- |
-- |
|
|
Saturday, August 25 |
8:00 am |
3:00 pm |
|
|
Sunday, August 26 |
8:00 am |
-- |
|
|
Monday, August 27 |
-- |
5:00 pm |
|
|
Tuesday, August 28 |
8:00 am |
5:00 pm |
|
|
Wednesday, August 29 |
12:00 pm |
-- |
|
|
Thursday, August 30 |
-- |
Debark |
Picture Courtesy of Renaissance Cruises
