Read Cruise through History stories before you take a cruise, when planning travel, or just dreaming of travel. The stories are all well-researched and true, yet they are entertaining and fun. History in school was never like this.


Once again the stories are distilled from hundreds of source materials, mined for the fun facts of saints and soldiers, who bequeathed the landscape of castles, cathedrals and monuments of culture visited on a typical cruise itinerary. Accompanied by hundreds of photos and original art to illustrate the stories, go beyond where guide books take readers, to deepen enjoyment of your travels. In Cruise through History stories, meet inspiring characters from history.


Itinerary 12 of Cruise through History's latest release, ninth in the series, includes tales found in Ports of the North Sea, where kings, queens and generals step down to allow Vikings and merchant contributions to shine. Founding cities, typically the prerogative of royals, have lesser impact in the North Sea, where Vikings had mastery of the North Sea. As Vikings found new prime farm land, became Christianized and settled into calm, terrestrial pursuits, commerce flowed freely in the North Sea. Reigning mastery of the North Sea passed from Vikings to merchants. Merchants built cities.