Introduction

Full Transcript

Intro

Hello and welcome aboard the TSJ CruisePod - your journey beyond the waves.

I’m Thomas Sebastian Jensen, and this is the official podcast of the TSJ CruiseBlog.

Whether you’re listening from home, on the road, or maybe even from a balcony cabin somewhere at sea - I’m really glad you’re here.

In this episode, we’re setting sail on a brand-new adventure: the Metropolis Tour.

Today’s Topic

This episode marks the beginning of Season Two of the TSJ CruisePod.

Over the next few episodes, I’ll take you along on a fascinating cruise through some of Northern Europe’s most iconic cities.

Our journey starts in Hamburg and takes us to Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, Le Havre, Southampton, and finally back to Hamburg.

Along the way, we explored places like Gouda, Brussels, Le Havre, and Windsor - and each of these stops will get its own dedicated episode later in this season.

But before we dive into the individual ports, today’s episode is all about the big picture: the route, the idea behind the Metropolis Tour - and, of course, the ship that carried us through it all.

The Metropolis Tour

The idea behind the Metropolis Tour is simple, yet incredibly powerful.

Instead of long sea days or remote destinations, this itinerary focuses on major European cities and cultural hotspots - all within relatively short distances of each other.

Starting in Hamburg, one of Germany’s most important port cities, the route connects industrial heritage, historic city centers, royal landmarks, and modern urban life.

Each port offers a completely different atmosphere:

• Rotterdam with its bold modern architecture
• Zeebrugge as the gateway to Belgium and Brussels
• Le Havre with its unique post-war cityscape
• Southampton as the door to southern England and Windsor

This makes the Metropolis Tour ideal for travelers who love:

• city exploration
• history and culture
• and the comfort of unpacking only once while visiting multiple countries

And tying all of this together was a ship that perfectly fits this kind of journey.

Meet the Ship - MSC Poesia

Our home for this Metropolis Tour was the MSC Poesia, a ship that combines classic cruise elegance with modern comfort.

The MSC Poesia has a gross tonnage of about 92,600 tons and stretches nearly 294 meters in length.

With 16 decks, including 13 accessible to guests, the ship offers plenty of space without ever feeling overwhelming.

On board, up to 3,223 passengers can be accommodated, supported by a crew of roughly 1,039 crew members - a ratio that really shows in daily service and atmosphere.

In terms of speed, the ship can reach up to 23 knots, allowing for efficient routing between ports - perfect for a city-focused itinerary like this one. For relaxation and entertainment, the MSC Poesia offers:

• 3 swimming pools, including a children’s pool
• 7 whirlpool baths
• a full MSC Aurea Spa
• multiple lounges, bars, and restaurants
• and a large theater for shows and events

What makes the MSC Poesia especially suitable for a Metropolis Tour is its balanced size.

It’s large enough to provide variety and comfort, but still small enough to dock efficiently in busy European ports - which means smoother embarkations, disembarkations, and shore days.

In short: the MSC Poesia isn’t just a means of transport - it’s a floating base camp for urban exploration.

Why This Season Is Different

Compared to longer ocean crossings or world cruises, this tour feels more fast-paced and diverse.

Every day brings:

• a new country
• a new culture
• and a completely different rhythm

That’s exactly what makes this season special.
Each episode will focus on one stop, one destination, and one set of impressions - from famous landmarks to small, unexpected moments.

Outro

In the next episode, we’ll start with our first port call: Rotterdam, Netherlands.

So make sure to subscribe to the TSJ CruisePod, and join me again as we continue our Metropolis Tour - city by city, port by port.

Until then: thanks for listening, fair winds, and I’ll see you beyond the waves.