Glorious blue skies and sunshine welcomed us to the “City of Spires.” After checking in with our Expedition Team, some of us relaxed in a hospitality suite. Others toured the city or explored the Nyhavn neighborhood with its colorful houses and Amsterdam-inspired canals. Here, author Hans Christian Andersen’s former home — the Boel House — overlooks the water.

In the afternoon, we took a leisurely, panoramic drive toward our ship, enjoying insight into Copenhagen's history and architecture provided en route. This included CopenHill, a combined heat and power waste-to-energy plant; the avant-garde Copenhagen Opera House; classical Amalienborg Palace; and Rococo-meets-Baroque Frederik's Church (the “Marble Church”). Across the river, we viewed the iconic Little Mermaid statue, popularized in a Hans Christian Andersen tale and now the symbol of Copenhagen. We also passed the impressive Gefion Fountain and the statue of a seated Andersen, his knees gleaming from seated photos with fans.

Arriving at the port, we boarded luxurious ‘Le Dumont-d'Urville.’ Having enjoyed welcome refreshments and arranged our cabins, we bid farewell to Copenhagen, set sail and sat down to dinner. Afterward, many of us lingered on the deck as we steamed toward Bornholm.