Home BISCAY- France, Spain, Portugal

BISCAY- France, Spain, Portugal

Biscay: North Sea, France, Spain, Portugal to Gibraltar

Channel Islands, France, and west coast Iberia, Lisbon and onto Gibraltar.

This near coastline is full of interesting gems.

Cruising can be so close, west coast France, Spain and Portugal.

FRANCE

This is an interesting coast of France, very different from the south of France. It has many WWII sites and many memories. It is often better known to booze cruisers and weekenders as they pop over, have mussels and chips and stock up with wine. But for cruisers, this section of cruising, takes us from the UK south. The Bay of Biscay (other wise known as the Golfe de Gascogne in Francemakes many a cruise smile, and check they have packed their sea sickness bands. It starts in France and rounds to Spain, joining the Channel (via the Celtic Sea) with the North Atlantic Ocean and down to Spain’s Cantabrian Sea.

The Bay Of Biscay area explained – cruise ships do go there.

The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. It is located south of the Celtic Sea, along the western coast of France.

Tours available in Lorient

As always tours and their description show what the locals are proud of and wish to show.

Strictly Human Raises Questions About Humanity and Identity

Dwight Ritter doesn’t walk so much as fight his way forward.His stride is wide, mechanical, his hips compensating for what his knees can no longer do. Every step is effort. Every step is victory.

A Post Re-fit Splendida is off on a Summer Adventure Across the Mediterranean Sea

A Post Re-fit Splendida is off on a Summer Adventure Across the Mediterranean Sea There’s something special about cruising the Mediterranean in summer. The sunshine, historic ports, sea views, late sunsets, and waking up in a new country almost every morning — it’s one of the best ways to experience Europe. And for Summer 2026, […]

Inside the Estrella Galicia Brewery Tour in A Coruña, Spain

Inside the Estrella Galicia Brewery Tour in A Coruña, Spain A Doris Visits Guide 🍺 If you love beer, local culture, and discovering unique experiences while travelling, then the Estrella Galicia Brewery Tour in A Coruña is absolutely worth adding to your Spain itinerary. Located in the heart of Galicia in northern Spain, this isn’t […]

Why Everyone Loves the ABC Islands

Why Everyone Loves the ABC Islands A Doris Visits Guide 🌴 Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao aren’t just Caribbean islands — they’re three completely different experiences wrapped into one unforgettable adventure. If you’ve ever dreamed of turquoise water, colourful streets, warm sunshine, and laid-back island life, the ABC Islands deliver all of that — and more. […]

The Good Ship Murder and Cruise Ship Crime Investigators: Spot the Similarities

The Good Ship Murder has sailed into its third series – and not a week goes by without someone asking me, “Be honest… did they

We predicted this a year ago – Ryan Air are now fully digital – don’t turn up with a paper printed boarding pass

We predicted this a year ago – Ryan Air are now fully digital – don’t turn up with a paper printed boarding pass because it will not work.

The Bay Of Biscay area explained – cruise ships do go there.

The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. It is located south of the Celtic Sea, along the western coast of France.

Tours available in Bordeaux include Wine Tours by Bicycle!

Bordeaux, in France, is famous for wine. The historic streets are used as Paris in period films.

Bordeaux is famous for ……

One of the world’s wine capitals is so close


This area has been inhabited since the old stone age, or Middle Palaeolithic period, which broadly means dating back to 300,000 years ago. It has subsequently changed hands with whatever roving power including the Romans. From Basque Spain, through the autonomous community of Asturias to Galicia which borders Portugal. Historic sites, major maritime and fishing history, and wine.

The Bay Of Biscay area explained – cruise ships do go there.

The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. It is located south of the Celtic Sea, along the western coast of France.

GREETER – the people who love to show you their city.

What is GREETER? Simply, it is an organisation of wonderful people who will greet you in their own town, city, or port.

The Bay Of Biscay area explained – cruise ships do go there.

The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. It is located south of the Celtic Sea, along the western coast of France.

Inside the Estrella Galicia Brewery Tour in A Coruña, Spain

Inside the Estrella Galicia Brewery Tour in A Coruña, Spain A Doris Visits Guide 🍺 If you love beer, local culture, and discovering unique experiences while travelling, then the Estrella Galicia Brewery Tour in A Coruña is absolutely worth adding to your Spain itinerary. Located in the heart of Galicia in northern Spain, this isn’t […]

The Bay Of Biscay area explained – cruise ships do go there.

The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. It is located south of the Celtic Sea, along the western coast of France.

La Coruña Guide – a popular cruise port near home

La Coruna is an increasingly popular staging post for ships leaving the UK on the way to the Mediterranean,

Tours available in La Coruna

Tours and their description show what the locals are proud of and wish to show.

The Bay Of Biscay area explained – cruise ships do go there.

The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. It is located south of the Celtic Sea, along the western coast of France.

P&O Ventura summer 2024 – Spain, Portugal and the Canaries – tips on the ports & how it works

The Ventura is a fantastic no-fly Grand Class ship based for much of her year, including summer 2024, running a mix of cruises from short 4 day cruises to two week cruises.

The Bay Of Biscay area explained – cruise ships do go there.

The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. It is located south of the Celtic Sea, along the western coast of France.

P&O Ventura summer 2024 – Spain, Portugal and the Canaries – tips on the ports & how it works

The Ventura is a fantastic no-fly Grand Class ship based for much of her year, including summer 2024, running a mix of cruises from short 4 day cruises to two week cruises.

The Bay Of Biscay area explained – cruise ships do go there.

The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. It is located south of the Celtic Sea, along the western coast of France.

Strictly Human Raises Questions About Humanity and Identity

Dwight Ritter doesn’t walk so much as fight his way forward.His stride is wide, mechanical, his hips compensating for what his knees can no longer do. Every step is effort. Every step is victory.

A Post Re-fit Splendida is off on a Summer Adventure Across the Mediterranean Sea

A Post Re-fit Splendida is off on a Summer Adventure Across the Mediterranean Sea There’s something special about cruising the Mediterranean in summer. The sunshine, historic ports, sea views, late sunsets, and waking up in a new country almost every morning — it’s one of the best ways to experience Europe. And for Summer 2026, […]

Inside the Estrella Galicia Brewery Tour in A Coruña, Spain

Inside the Estrella Galicia Brewery Tour in A Coruña, Spain A Doris Visits Guide 🍺 If you love beer, local culture, and discovering unique experiences while travelling, then the Estrella Galicia Brewery Tour in A Coruña is absolutely worth adding to your Spain itinerary. Located in the heart of Galicia in northern Spain, this isn’t […]

Why Everyone Loves the ABC Islands

Why Everyone Loves the ABC Islands A Doris Visits Guide 🌴 Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao aren’t just Caribbean islands — they’re three completely different experiences wrapped into one unforgettable adventure. If you’ve ever dreamed of turquoise water, colourful streets, warm sunshine, and laid-back island life, the ABC Islands deliver all of that — and more. […]

The Good Ship Murder and Cruise Ship Crime Investigators: Spot the Similarities

The Good Ship Murder has sailed into its third series – and not a week goes by without someone asking me, “Be honest… did they

We predicted this a year ago – Ryan Air are now fully digital – don’t turn up with a paper printed boarding pass

We predicted this a year ago – Ryan Air are now fully digital – don’t turn up with a paper printed boarding pass because it will not work.

Cadiz Guide

Cadiz does deserve the label historic Cadiz because Cadiz dates back to the 12th century BC

Tours available in Cadiz

Tours and their description show what the locals are proud of and wish to show in the wonderful city of Cadiz.

Seville – Oranges and Opera or Muslims and Christians

Seville is about the same distance from CADIZ as it is HUELVA, two very

Museo del Titere – The Puppet Master of CADIZ – Francisco Peralta

This is the hidden gem of Cadiz.


It is one of the oldest and certainly the westernmost sovereign state of mainland Europe, almost all of it sitting on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. It’s important position means it has been fought over since pre-historic times. There is much opportunity to see historic sites all along this coast. Lisbon being the number one stop, is built on seven hills, but so cruiser heavy the locals are sometimes a little miffed they can’t get on a tram. See the various posts and films for what to see. The daily transport ticket is often the best deal in town.


BRIEF: Known both as Oporto and Porto, it is Portugal’s second largest city.

CURRENCY: Euro

SHIPS HERE inc: Neue Mein Schiff 2, AIDAPerla, Silver Wind, mv Aegean Odyssey, Oceana Riviera

  • BRIEF: Lisbon. Major City. Tourism and fishing are the main trades.
  • CURRENCY: Euro. Many places are card only.
  • LANGUAGE/PHRASES: Portugese. English spoken
  • VISA: Entry with cruise card.
  • SHIPS SEEN HERE REGULARLY: All, but SAGA, Cunard, Azamara and P&O are amongst many.
  • Tourist attractions. Squares. Hill, castle. Time Out Market. Queluz Palace.

The Bay Of Biscay area explained – cruise ships do go there.

The Bay of Biscay is a gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. It is located south of the Celtic Sea, along the western coast of France.

Tours available in Lisbon

Tours and their description show what the locals are proud of and wish to show.

LISBON – best two deals in town

There is no doubt what the best two deals in Lisbon are.

LISBON trip to QUELUZ PALACE – by Train

Lisbon is a cruise port many regular sailors will visit over and over again, and whilst it has much to see, there are some adventures you may not have considered. Queluz Palace

Time Out Market Lisbon

The Time Out Market is a food and drink heaven. It is a grand food hall

Lisbon 2024. – Tarts, forts, a palace, a pop star, a tram, and the Time Out restaurant.

Lisbon is the richest region of Portugal. It has a palace that tells the story of the Redeemer statue in Rio, and a huge Time Out restaurant.

Lisbon Christmas Market in Baixa-Chiado then Gary Barlow in Concert on ship

The Baixa-Chiado Lisbon Christmas Market normally opens early, around mid November

  • BRIEF: Fishing is a main activity here.Artistes and writers as well as beach lovers flock to Praia da Rocha.
  • CURRENCY: Euro
  • LANGUAGE/PHRASES: Portugese. English spoken
  • VISA: Entry with cruise card.
  • SHIPS SEEN HERE REGULARLY: Seabourn Encore, Marella Discovery 2.