West African Archipelago Expedition: Cape Verde & Bissagos Island Cruise

12 nights from £4,256pp departing Saturday 4th Nov 2023

Join us as we sail from Dakar, Senegal, and encounter fascinating cultural, geographical and biological wonders in the seas off Western Africa. Visit beautiful Cape Verde, home to many rare and endemic species, and the lush tropical Bissagos Islands, where saltwater hippos roam in swamps and the Bijagos people retain their ancient way of life.

Itinerary

Map

					Arrive	Depart
	4th04	NovNov	202323	Dakar, Senegal, embark on the MS Spitsbergen		23:59
Dakar, set at the tip of the Cape Vert peninsula, is West Africa’s westernmost point and the capital of French-speaking Senegal. Although it was not founded until 1857, it is West Africa’s oldest European city and one of the most westernised. The opening of the Dakar-St Louis railway in 1885 put the town on the map; it subsequently became a French naval base and in 1904, the capital of Afrique Occidentale Française. It bears the legacy of Africa’s French colonial past, especially so in the downtown Plateau area, where the architecture is redolent of southern France. Every inch a modern city, Dakar is a frenetic buzz of activity, which can be startling. Perhaps sample the popular mint tea and try your hand at bartering in the colourful craft markets for traditional embroidery, woodcarvings, metalwork and costume jewellery.
	5th05	NovNov	202323	At Sea
	6th06	NovNov	202323	Praia, Santiago Island, Cape Verde	08:00	20:00
Start your Expedition Cruise in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, located in the south of Santiago Island. You can explore its old centre overlooking the ocean and its historical buildings with transom windows. In the old quarter, you can also learn about the diversity of the archipelago’s cultural origins in the Ethnographic Museum. To finish your day, head to the harbour to visit the Diogo Gomes statue, paying homage to the man who discovered the archipelago in 1460.
	7th07	NovNov	202323	Sao Filipe, Fogo Island, Cape Verde	08:00	20:00
The volcanic island of Fogo is probably the highest landmark of the archipelago. Ideal for hiking, Pico de Fogo has an immense caldera surrounding the active crater and traces of recent and old lava flows all around. Again, along the coast there’s plenty of options too: from the charming Mosteiros to the stylish colonial houses of the historic town of São Filipe, there’s a choice for everyone.
	8th08	NovNov	202323	Santo Antao, Cape Verde	08:00	20:00
	9th09	NovNov	202323	Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island, Cape Verde	08:00	17:00
	10th10	NovNov	202323	At Sea
	11th11	NovNov	202323	Bissau, Guinea-Bissau	14:00	14:00
	12th12	NovNov	202323	At Sea
	13th13	NovNov	202323	At Sea
	14th14	NovNov	202323	At Sea
	15th15	NovNov	202323	Banjul, Gambia	07:00	21:00
The tiny city of Banjul is the capital of The Gambia, a country that itself is little more than the banks of the mighty river that shares its name. Situated on St Mary’s Island, where the River Gambia joins the Atlantic, Bathurst, as Banjul was previously called, was established by the British in the early nineteenth century as a naval outpost dedicated to putting a halt to the trade in human beings. In 1943, Franklin Roosevelt visited Banjul on his way to the Casablanca conference with Churchill, becoming the first serving American president to visit Africa. Today, Banjul plays host to a thriving tourist trade, thanks to its pleasant climate, and is the political centre for the oldest democracy in Africa.
	16th16	NovNov	202323	Dakar, Senegal, disembark the MS Spitsbergen	09:00
Dakar, set at the tip of the Cape Vert peninsula, is West Africa’s westernmost point and the capital of French-speaking Senegal. Although it was not founded until 1857, it is West Africa’s oldest European city and one of the most westernised. The opening of the Dakar-St Louis railway in 1885 put the town on the map; it subsequently became a French naval base and in 1904, the capital of Afrique Occidentale Française. It bears the legacy of Africa’s French colonial past, especially so in the downtown Plateau area, where the architecture is redolent of southern France. Every inch a modern city, Dakar is a frenetic buzz of activity, which can be startling. Perhaps sample the popular mint tea and try your hand at bartering in the colourful craft markets for traditional embroidery, woodcarvings, metalwork and costume jewellery.

MS Spitsbergen

Launch Year

2009

Refit Year

2016

Tonnage

7,344

Capacity

335

Cabins

180

Accessible

Deck 8

Deck 7

Deck 6

Deck 5

Deck 4

Deck 3

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Arctic Superior - Outside cabin for 2 travellers

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
U2D	Arctic Superior: Outside Cabin (Double)	£4,256	£4,256

Smaller Outside Arctic Superior cabin with double bed, TV, table and kettle.

Arctic Superior - Outside cabin for 2 travellers

Outside Arctic Superior cabin with double bed, TV and kettle. Window view is party obstructed.

Arctic Superior - Upper deck for 2-4 travellers

These large, comfortable cabins for two or four people on the upper deck have double beds and bathrooms with shower and WC. Some cabins have four single beds also have upper and lower berths. They also have TV. The cabins have limited or no view.

Expedition Suite - Grand suite on upper deck

These exclusive suites on the upper deck have one large room, a seating area, TV, kettle, tea/coffee, stereo, bathrooms with shower/WC, complimentary internet access, minibar and private balcony.

Expedition Suite - Mini suite for 2 travellers

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
Q2	Expedition Suite: Mini-Suite	£4,932	£4,932

This mini suite for up to two people on lower deck have double bed, TV, window, and bathroom with shower/WC.

Expedition Suite - Owners suite on upper deck

These exclusive suites on the upper deck have a double bed, a separated seating area, TV, kettle, tea/coffee, stereo, minibar, bathrooms with shower/WC, and a spacious private balcony. Please note that we have a wheelchair accessible cabin within this category, please contact us to book.

Polar Inside - Inside cabin for 2 travellers

Inside cabin with double bed and TV for up to two people.

Polar Inside - Larger inside cabin for 2 travellers

Spacious inside cabin with double bed and TV for up to two people.

Polar Inside - Superior inside cabin for up to 4 travellers

Spacious inside cabin for four travellers, with one double bed and TV.

Polar Outside - Lower deck for 2 travellers

Polar Outside cabins are situated on lower deck and they all have bathrooms with shower/wc. Upper and lower berths

Polar Outside - Middle deck for 2 travellers

These outside cabins for up to two people on the middle and upper decks have bathrooms with shower/WC, upper and lower berths, and a limited view.

Polar Outside - Outside cabin for 2 travellers

Outside cabin with double bed, TV and window.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Torget Main Dining

Breakfast

An extensive breakfast buffet including hot dishes, cold cuts, fish, homemade smoothies, energy shots, yoghurt, granolas and fruit jams. Fresh bread, fruit, local cheeses and chef stations such as pancakes or salmon carving. Coffee/tea/juice/water included.

Lunch

Traditional husmannskost (traditional rustic dishes) from the region. Every day, a choice of one meat, one fish and one vegetarian main dish is served along with fresh bread and local cheese, and a wide selection of salads, vegetables, cold cuts, salmon, herring and other seafood. Homemade desserts and cakes are also available. Coffee/tea/water included.

Dinner

Enjoy the best of Norwegian farm-to-table dining with three-course dinners or buffets. The menu varies over an 11-day cycle, with a selection meat, fish or vegan dishes. Water included. Wine packages, local beverages and alcohol-free alternatives available.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

Observation Lounge

The Observation lounges offer large panoramic windows with ample and comfortable seats. There will be binoculars for sale in the onboard shop.

Reception

The reception is located on deck 5.

Explorer Bar

Located on Deck 6.

Observation Decks

The ship has spacious outdoor areas. They are perfect vantage points to sit back, relax and watch the world go by.

The images shown are for illustration purposes only and may not be an exact representation of what you find on the ship.

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Holiday Summary

	12 nights aboard the MS Spitsbergen
	Full-board dining included
	Wine, beer & soft drinks included with lunch & dinner
	Complimentary tea and coffee
	Range of included excursions
	No gratuities
	Complimentary Wi-Fi on board
	Engaging onboard activities and lectures
	Port Taxes and Fees
	ABTA and ATOL Protection*

	Interior	Oceanview	Suite
	(All prices are £GBP per person)
Tue 28th Nov 202328 Nov 23		3,951	5,588
Sun 10th Dec 202310 Dec 23	3,039	3,499	4,932
Wed 3rd Jan 202403 Jan 24		4,781	10,253
Tue 29th Oct 202429 Oct 24	3,408	3,918	5,511
Sun 10th Nov 202410 Nov 24	3,408	3,918	5,511
Fri 22nd Nov 202422 Nov 24	3,408	3,918	5,511
Wed 4th Dec 202404 Dec 24	3,408	3,918	5,511
Mon 16th Dec 202416 Dec 24	3,643	4,194	5,911
Sat 28th Dec 202428 Dec 24	3,643	4,194	5,911
Thu 9th Jan 202509 Jan 25	3,408	3,918	5,511