In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod – Your journey beyond the waves, the Metropolis Tour 2026 returns to Hamburg – the city where the journey both began and ends.

Hamburg is not only Germany’s largest port and a major cruise hub, but also a destination in its own right. On this itinerary, guests can embark or disembark in multiple ports, making Hamburg a flexible gateway for travelers joining the cruise at different stages of the journey.

Thomas Sebastian Jensen shares general insights into Hamburg as a city shaped by maritime history, international trade, and modern urban development. From the historic Speicherstadt to the forward-looking HafenCity, Hamburg combines tradition and innovation in a uniquely relaxed and cosmopolitan atmosphere.

The episode also looks at the embarkation and disembarkation experience at the modern HafenCity Cruise Terminal, highlighting how smooth, well-organized, and stress-free the process is for cruise guests.

In addition, listeners get an overview of the various shore excursions available for guests visiting Hamburg as a port of call. These include classic city highlights tours, sightseeing by land and water, shorter panoramic routes, themed experiences such as the Beatles tour, and trips to nearby destinations like Lübeck – offering something for every interest and travel style.

With the ports of the Metropolis Tour now complete, this episode serves as a calm and reflective transition point before the final chapter of the season.

🎧 Sit back, listen in, and continue your journey beyond the waves.

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod – Your journey beyond the waves, the Metropolis Tour 2026 reaches its final destination in the United Kingdom.

Docking in Southampton, one of the country’s most important cruise ports and a city deeply connected to maritime history, the journey continues inland for a truly royal experience. Having already explored Southampton during a previous cruise, this time the focus shifts to one of England’s most iconic destinations: Windsor.

Windsor is best known as the home of Windsor Castle, the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world and an official residence of the British monarchy. After an early start, a scenic bus ride, and a brief UK immigration check, the day unfolds at a relaxed pace with ample free time to explore both the castle and the town.

Join Thomas Sebastian Jensen as he walks through the historic grounds of Windsor Castle, visits St George’s Chapel – the burial place of many monarchs including Queen Elizabeth II – admires the extraordinary detail of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, and explores the richly decorated State Apartments. Beyond the castle walls, the episode captures the charm of Windsor itself, with its small shops, pubs, riverside atmosphere, and a well-earned serving of classic Fish and Chips.

The episode also highlights alternative shore excursions from Southampton, including trips to London, Stonehenge, Bath, and Titanic-related sites, showcasing just how diverse this port can be.

A fitting and memorable conclusion to the Metropolis Tour, this episode brings royal history, personal impressions, and the spirit of travel together one last time.

🎧 Sit back, listen in, and enjoy the final chapter of this journey beyond the waves.

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod – Your journey beyond the waves, the Metropolis Tour 2026 brings us to Le Havre, a distinctive port city on France’s Normandy coast.

Docking directly in Le Havre, this stop offered a different rhythm compared to previous ports. Instead of joining an organized excursion, Thomas Sebastian Jensen chose to explore the city independently – a decision influenced by long travel times to Paris and the typically unpredictable January weather.

Le Havre’s city center, rebuilt after World War II under the direction of architect Auguste Perret, is defined by wide boulevards, clear urban structure, and extensive use of concrete. This bold reconstruction earned the city UNESCO World Heritage status and gives Le Havre a character unlike any other French port.

Listeners are taken along on a relaxed walk through the city, visiting landmarks such as Le Volcan by Oscar Niemeyer, the lively market hall, the striking St. Joseph’s Church with its lighthouse-like tower and colorful glass interior, and the modern City Hall. Along the way, the episode captures everyday local life and quiet personal moments that often get lost on tightly scheduled excursions.

The episode also provides an overview of alternative shore excursions from Le Havre, including full-day trips to Paris, visits to Mont-Saint-Michel, coastal highlights like Étretat, and charming towns such as Honfleur – showcasing the wide range of experiences available in the Normandy region.

A calm, reflective episode that shows how even an unplanned day in port can become a memorable part of a cruise journey.

🎧 Lean back, listen in, and continue your journey beyond the waves.

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod – Your journey beyond the waves, the Metropolis Tour 2026 continues with a stop in Belgium.

Docking in Zeebrugge, one of the country’s most important seaports, the journey leads inland to Brussels, a city where history, politics, and everyday life come together in a uniquely international atmosphere. As the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union, Brussels offers a fascinating mix of grand architecture, historic neighborhoods, and lively urban culture.

Join Thomas Sebastian Jensen as he shares impressions from an early-morning excursion to Brussels, including a visit to the iconic Atomium, a guided walk past the Cathedral of St. Michael and St. Gudula, the elegant Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert, and the stunning Grand Place – one of Europe’s most beautiful squares and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The episode also captures personal moments from free time in the city, from the surprisingly small Manneken Pis and its famous wardrobe to classic Belgian fries and waffles enjoyed in the heart of the city.

In addition, listeners get an overview of alternative shore excursions from Zeebrugge, including visits to Bruges, Ghent, and scenic tours through the historic region of Flanders – highlighting the wide variety of experiences available from this port.

A rich and engaging episode that brings you right into the cultural and political heart of Europe as the Metropolis Tour continues.

🎧 Sit back, listen in, and continue your journey beyond the waves.

In this episode of the TSJ CruisePod – Your journey beyond the waves, the Metropolis Tour 2026 reaches its first port of call in the Netherlands.

Although the MSC Poesia docks in Rotterdam, one of Europe’s most modern and architecturally bold port cities, this episode takes you beyond the harbor and into the heart of traditional Dutch culture. After a short panoramic drive through Rotterdam, the journey continues to Gouda, a charming historic city best known for its cheese, canals, and relaxed atmosphere.

Join Thomas Sebastian Jensen as he shares impressions from a guided walk through Gouda’s old town, visits to the famous cheese weighing house, tastings of surprisingly diverse Gouda cheeses, and a stop at the impressive Sint Janskerk with its world-renowned stained-glass windows. The episode also includes small personal moments, from discovering fresh stroopwafels to unexpected finds in a local Lego shop.

In addition, this episode provides an overview of alternative shore excursions available from Rotterdam, including city tours, day trips to Amsterdam, and visits to The Hague – highlighting the wide range of experiences this port has to offer.

A perfect blend of modern city life and timeless Dutch traditions, this episode captures the spirit of the Metropolis Tour and sets the tone for the journey ahead.

🎧 Sit back, listen in, and continue your journey beyond the waves.

Welcome to the first episode of Season Two of the TSJ CruisePod – Your journey beyond the waves.

In this opening episode of the Metropolis Tour 2026, Thomas Sebastian Jensen introduces the concept behind this unique cruise itinerary and sets the stage for the episodes to come.

Starting in Hamburg, this city-focused journey takes us through Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, and Southampton, before returning to Hamburg. Along the way, exciting excursions to Gouda, Brussels, Le Havre, and Windsor add depth and variety to the experience – each of them featured in upcoming episodes.

You’ll also get to know the ship that made this journey possible: the MSC Poesia. From its technical details and onboard facilities to its role as a comfortable and elegant base for urban exploration, this episode provides a comprehensive introduction to life on board.

Whether you love exploring major cities, are planning a similar cruise, or simply enjoy travel stories from the sea – this episode is the perfect starting point for the Metropolis Tour.

🎧 Tune in, set sail, and join the journey beyond the waves.

In this emotional finale of the TSJ CruisePod – Your Journey Beyond the Waves, host Thomas Sebastian Jensen takes you behind the ports and excursions to explore what life on board the MSC Euribia truly feels like.

From dazzling evening shows at the Delphi Theatre to lively quizzes, themed nights, and quiet moments watching the endless sea, Thomas reflects on the rhythm of cruise life — a blend of community, discovery, and calm. He shares how sea days became the heart of the journey, offering time to unwind, connect, and simply breathe between adventures.

As the voyage comes to an end, Thomas looks back on twelve unforgettable destinations and the beauty found both in travel and in stillness.

A gentle, inspiring farewell to this season’s journey — and a promise that as long as there are oceans to cross, new stories will always await beyond the waves.

In this final episode of the TSJ CruisePod – Your Journey Beyond the Waves, host Thomas Sebastian Jensen visits Southampton, England — a historic harbor city forever linked to the Titanic.

Exploring under rare blue winter skies, Thomas begins at the SeaCity Museum, where the tragedy of 1912 is brought vividly to life through local stories and emotional exhibits. He then discovers the city’s contrasts: the modern energy of Westquay Shopping Centre, the medieval charm of Tudor House, and the centuries-old city walls that once protected a thriving trading port.

Along the way, he shares travel tips for excursions to London, Stonehenge, and Windsor Castle, as well as highlights within Southampton itself.

As the MSC Euribia sails north into the night, Thomas reflects on the voyage’s twelve destinations — a journey of discovery, connection, and new horizons beyond the waves.