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 France) makes 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.
Arrondissement de Lorient
mist
9.8
°
C
10.1
°
8.8
°
92 %
5.1kmh
100 %
Tue
12
°
Wed
13
°
Thu
10
°
Fri
10
°
Sat
10
°
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.
La Rochelle
clear sky
7
°
C
7
°
5.7
°
87 %
6.7kmh
0 %
Tue
12
°
Wed
12
°
Thu
12
°
Fri
10
°
Sat
10
°
Merry Christmas P&O Ships – A card for all
A seasonal message for all at P&O and all who sail with them. Merry Christmas from all the contributors at Doris Visits. It has been another great year of sailing, and we thank you. Next year we look to more great adventures, from Peru to who knows where… but we will be there. Thank […]
P&O Aurora 2026 will allow children – News direct from the ship.
P&O Aurora 2026 will allow children – News direct from the ship.
P&O ARCADIA Ship Tour – 2025 post refit
The Arcadia is a charming ship and we try to join it every year. This is the 2026 update with news about families and children.
ALTA NORWAY. Guide – we did see the ‘aurora borealis’, those fighting atoms of energy!
The farther north you travel, the colder it becomes, and the more the skies put on a show. Sunsets blaze with surreal colours,
Narvik 2026 – A City Shaped by Iron, Ice, and History
Narvik 2026 – A City Shaped by Iron, Ice, and History – not a game of Thrones, but a real game.
At last, we reached Tromsø, and the sky was alive with green
At last, we reached Tromsø, and the sky was alive with green. Curtains of aurora rippled overhead,
Bordeaux
few clouds
7.2
°
C
7.2
°
6.3
°
93 %
5.7kmh
20 %
Tue
14
°
Wed
14
°
Thu
14
°
Fri
11
°
Sat
11
°
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.
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.
Bilbao
clear sky
12.1
°
C
13.1
°
10.1
°
59 %
5.8kmh
0 %
Tue
16
°
Wed
15
°
Thu
12
°
Fri
11
°
Sat
11
°
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.
Avilés
clear sky
12.3
°
C
13.7
°
11
°
57 %
1.5kmh
0 %
Tue
15
°
Wed
14
°
Thu
13
°
Fri
11
°
Sat
10
°
A Coruña
light rain
11.5
°
C
12
°
10.9
°
79 %
5.1kmh
40 %
Tue
13
°
Wed
12
°
Thu
11
°
Fri
10
°
Sat
9
°
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.
El Ferrol
overcast clouds
11
°
C
11
°
11
°
70 %
1.7kmh
100 %
Tue
15
°
Wed
13
°
Thu
13
°
Fri
9
°
Sat
10
°
Gijón
overcast clouds
11.1
°
C
13.6
°
11.1
°
69 %
0.5kmh
100 %
Tue
14
°
Wed
14
°
Thu
12
°
Fri
11
°
Sat
10
°
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.
Gijón
overcast clouds
11.1
°
C
13.6
°
11.1
°
69 %
0.5kmh
100 %
Tue
14
°
Wed
14
°
Thu
12
°
Fri
11
°
Sat
10
°
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.
Vigo
light rain
13
°
C
13
°
10.1
°
82 %
4.6kmh
75 %
Tue
13
°
Wed
13
°
Thu
12
°
Fri
11
°
Sat
10
°
Merry Christmas P&O Ships – A card for all
A seasonal message for all at P&O and all who sail with them. Merry Christmas from all the contributors at Doris Visits. It has been another great year of sailing, and we thank you. Next year we look to more great adventures, from Peru to who knows where… but we will be there. Thank […]
P&O Aurora 2026 will allow children – News direct from the ship.
P&O Aurora 2026 will allow children – News direct from the ship.
P&O ARCADIA Ship Tour – 2025 post refit
The Arcadia is a charming ship and we try to join it every year. This is the 2026 update with news about families and children.
ALTA NORWAY. Guide – we did see the ‘aurora borealis’, those fighting atoms of energy!
The farther north you travel, the colder it becomes, and the more the skies put on a show. Sunsets blaze with surreal colours,
Narvik 2026 – A City Shaped by Iron, Ice, and History
Narvik 2026 – A City Shaped by Iron, Ice, and History – not a game of Thrones, but a real game.
At last, we reached Tromsø, and the sky was alive with green
At last, we reached Tromsø, and the sky was alive with green. Curtains of aurora rippled overhead,
Cadiz
overcast clouds
8.2
°
C
8.2
°
8.2
°
90 %
3.5kmh
100 %
Tue
15
°
Wed
14
°
Thu
14
°
Fri
13
°
Sat
11
°
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.
Porto
heavy intensity rain
11.7
°
C
11.7
°
11.5
°
94 %
10.3kmh
75 %
Tue
13
°
Wed
12
°
Thu
12
°
Fri
11
°
Sat
10
°
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
Lisbon
moderate rain
11.8
°
C
12.6
°
11.4
°
87 %
5.1kmh
75 %
Tue
15
°
Wed
14
°
Thu
13
°
Fri
13
°
Sat
12
°
- 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 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
Portimão
moderate rain
13.1
°
C
13.1
°
13.1
°
91 %
5.5kmh
100 %
Tue
15
°
Wed
15
°
Thu
14
°
Fri
14
°
Sat
12
°
- 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.
