Macaronesia & Bissagos Islands Grand Expedition Cruise | Lisbon to Dakar: Southbound

20 nights from £6,698pp departing Wednesday 9th Oct 2024

Itinerary

Map

					Arrive	Depart
	9th09	OctOct	202424	Lisbon, Portugal, embark on the MS Spitsbergen		19:00
Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city's terraced hillsides. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.
	10th10	OctOct	202424	At Sea
	11th11	OctOct	202424	Porto Santo Island, Portugal	10:00	18:00
	11th11	OctOct	202424	Funchal, Madeira, Portugal	22:00	22:00
Formed by a volcanic eruption, Madeira lies in the Gulf Stream, about 500 miles due west of Casablanca. Discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, this beautiful island became part of Portugal’s vast empire and was named for the dense forest which cloaked it - 'Madeira' means 'wood' in Portuguese. Sugar plantations first brought wealth here, and when King Charles II of England granted an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies, many British emigrants were drawn to the capital, Funchal. Today’s travellers come to Madeira for the varied and luxuriant scenery, from mountain slopes covered with vines to picturesque villages and a profusion of wild flowers. The natural beauty of the island has earned it many pseudonyms such as ‘The Floating Garden of the Atlantic’, 'The Island of Eternal Springtime' and ‘God’s Botanical Gardens’ and our selection of excursions aim to show you why.
	12th12	OctOct	202424	At Sea
	13th13	OctOct	202424	At Sea
	14th14	OctOct	202424	Santa Cruz de La Palma, Spain	07:00	22:00
Also known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the beautiful island), La Palma is typified by lush forests of pine, laurel and fern which contrast with the rugged splendour of the gigantic Taburiente crater. The island is dotted with attractive villages, which are a delight to discover, and the capital Santa Cruz also makes for an interesting day of exploration. Perched on the edge of the volcanic crater of La Caldereta, Santa Cruz comfortably blends modern architecture with old colonial buildings. Perhaps visit the fascinating Natural History Museum, stroll around the historic quarters and the Plaza de Espana or travel a few miles outside the city to the exquisite Church of Our Lady. If you enjoy shopping, you can find reasonably priced silver jewellery, leather goods and beautifully embroidered clothes, tablecloths and napkins, a speciality of the Canary Islands.
	15th15	OctOct	202424	La Gomera, Spain	07:00	22:00
Known as the ‘Round Isle’, La Gomera is one of the oldest and smallest of the Canary Islands. Perhaps overshadowed by the obvious charms of its neighbour, Tenerife, from a distance this cone-shaped volcanic isle with its massive grey skyline can appear foreboding. But once ashore, a different world awaits discovery. Steep valleys and ravines hide a host of surprises such as terraced fields and laurel rain forests. The climb to the top of the island reveals breathtaking views and some rare flora and fauna in the mist-covered heights of Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a relatively modest tourist industry and less explored than its neighbouring islands, La Gomera is a fascinating place to visit. San Sebastian is the capital and main port of the island, set on the east coast and with a distinctly rural feel, with a few small plazas and colourful houses lining the hillside. The port is famous for its visit by Christopher Columbus, who stopped here in 1492 before sailing to the Americas.
	16th16	OctOct	202424	Puerto de la Estaca, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain	07:00	22:00
	17th17	OctOct	202424	At Sea
	18th18	OctOct	202424	At Sea
	19th19	OctOct	202424	At Sea
	20th20	OctOct	202424	Santo Antao, Cape Verde	07:00	20:00
	21st21	OctOct	202424	Sao Filipe, Fogo Island, Cape Verde	08:00	22:00
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.
	22nd22	OctOct	202424	Praia, Santiago Island, Cape Verde	07:00	22:00
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.
	23rd23	OctOct	202424	Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island, Cape Verde	07:00	17:00
	24th24	OctOct	202424	At Sea
	25th25	OctOct	202424	Bissau, Guinea-Bissau	12:00	16:00
	26th26	OctOct	202424	At Sea
	27th27	OctOct	202424	At Sea
	28th28	OctOct	202424	At Sea
	29th29	OctOct	202424	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)	£7,434	£7,434

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

Arctic Superior - Outside cabin for 2 travellers

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
P2D	Arctic Superior Cabin (Double)	£7,189	£7,189

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

Arctic Superior - Upper deck for 2-4 travellers

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
QJ	Arctic Superior: Larger Outside Cabin (with limited or no view)	£6,698	£6,698

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

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

Price guides

Grade Code		From	To
O2D	Polar Outside Cabin (Double)	£6,992	£6,992

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.

Explorer Bar

Located on Deck 6.

Reception

The reception is located on deck 5.

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.

Your Holiday Is Safe With Us

Our Fusion packages are all ABTA & ATOL protected ensuring that your booking is safe with us

Offer

Book by

Fusion Special

Book by

Holiday Summary

	20 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*