Begin your grand expedition cruise in Lisbon. Your expedition cruise begins in Lisbon. The Portuguese capital is rich in history and culture. If you have time, take a stroll through the classical districts of Baixa and Bairro Alto, Chiado, and Alfama-the old Islamic quarter-where there are the remains of a Roman theater and Moorish fortress. You can also visit the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Torre de Belem and Mosteiro dos Jeronimos, a little further from the city center, where you'll also find delicious pasteis de Belem. Then it's time to board MS Spitsbergen and begin your adventure at sea. To give yourself time to explore the city, arrive early and extend your stay an extra night to do some sightseeing. Join the optional Lisbon Pre-Program for a sightseeing tour of the city and surrounding areas. ... Read More
Thursday - Oct 10, 2024
Day 2
At Sea
Unwind and learn during a relaxing day at sea. Enjoy a leisurely day at sea as we sail towards Porto Santo, north of the Madeira archipelago. Soak in a hot tub, work up a sweat in the gym, enjoy a sauna, or take in ocean views from our Explorer Lounge & Bar. If you want to improve your camera skills, ask for some pointers on landscape composition from the expedition photographer. Don't miss the Expedition Team's fascinating lectures on Madeira's history and wildlife. Learn about important conservation projects, like how locals are working to remove invasive plant species from Madeira Natural Park. ... Read More
Friday - Oct 11, 2024
Day 3
PORTO SANTO
Witness natural beauty on a small, golden island. As we approach Porto Santo, keep your binoculars handy for dolphins and seabirds, including Cory's shearwaters, northern gannets, and Bulwer's petrels. In Vila Baleira, walk to the palm-lined square, Largo do Pelourinho, and enjoy a glass of vinho do Porto Santo in one of the bars before visiting the Christopher Columbus House Museum. Join a panoramic bus tour to Ponta da Calheta, Pico do Castelo, and Fonte da Areia, whose waters are said to guarantee eternal youth. If you prefer a nature walk, join a hike to spectacular Pico Branco, where much of the endemic flora on the island can be found. ... Read More
Experience Funchal's old-world charm. Enveloped by swathes of humid laurel forest, Madeira rises majestically out of the Atlantic in various shades of green. Funchal is its quaint and cosmopolitan capital, filled with old world charm. Visit the historic old town and see the beautiful cathedral. Dating to 1485, its wooden ceiling is a classic example of Manueline architecture. Sample Madeira's fortified wines and try the sweet ananas-banana fruit, which looks like a giant pickle. For glorious views, take the cable car to the picturesque village of Monte. If you dare, slide the mile back down to Funchal in a carro de cesto, a wicker sled on wooden skis. It's a fun and memorable experience! ... Read More
Sunday - Oct 13, 2024
Day 5
At Sea
Learn about the Canary Islands as we cruise. With volcanic landscapes and a rich history, you may want to learn more about the Canary Islands before we arrive. The Expedition Team is on hand to teach you all about these remarkable islands. Enjoy life onboard, edit your photos, and relax on deck while looking for whales, dolphins, and seabirds. Dine on delicious meals prepared in the onboard restaurant and watch the sunset from the Explorer Lounge & Bar. Head over to the Science Center and take part in Citizen Science projects that support marine conservation. ... Read More
Monday - Oct 14, 2024
Day 6
Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain
Discover vibrant Santa Cruz. Known as La Isla Bonita or 'The Pretty Island', La Palma is home to unspoiled pine and laurel forests, banana trees, and palm groves. Santa Cruz, its capital, is considered one of the most attractive towns in the archipelago. Lined with magnificent Renaissance-era buildings with lavishly adorned plants and flowers, Santa Cruz displays a fantastic example of Canarian architecture. Don't miss the eccentric La Palma Island Museum, set inside an old convent. In the districts of La Canela and San Telmo, you'll see signs of faded colonial grandeur. Walking in La Palma is superb, with some walks starting right in Santa Cruz. Outside the city, you can join a walk to experience the spectacular Caldera de Taburiente National Park. ... Read More
Tuesday - Oct 15, 2024
Day 7
San Sebastian de la Gomera, Spain
Explore lush national parks and laurel forests. La Gomera is the second-smallest island in the Canaries, and the nature is largely untamed. You'll find island life here at its most authentic. In San Sebastian's historic center, you can visit the Iglesia de la Virgen de la Asuncion, a Baroque church, where Christopher Columbus and his crew are said to have prayed before setting sail. You can also visit the archeological museum to learn about the mysterious Guanche people who first settled these islands. Consider hiking through the beautiful laurel forests and idyllic palm-covered valleys of the mountainous Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. ... Read More
Wednesday - Oct 16, 2024
Day 8
Puerto de la Estaca, El Hierro, Canary Islands, Spain, Spain
See the unique geology of this UNESCO biosphere. With lava-sculpted rocks and fields filled with flowers, the remote El Hierro is a truly remarkable island. In fact, this young oceanic shield volcano is classified as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. Our port for the day is Puerto La Estaca, just over four miles away from Valverde, the only landlocked capital in the Canary Islands. Stroll the streets of this easy-going capital and soak up its traditional atmosphere. Choose a panoramic drive tour or explore the island's photogenic forests, meadows, and volcanic formations on a hike. These varied landscapes are all connected with crisscrossing trails. ... Read More
Thursday - Oct 17, 2024
Day 9
At Sea
Enjoy life at sea as we sail to Cape Verde. Enjoy a relaxing day at sea as we head towards the Cape Verde archipelago. The islands are known for their magnificent volcanic landscapes, dramatic valleys, and towering volcanoes, with the highest point at Pico de Fogo (literally meaning 'peak of fire'), rising 9,250 feet above sea level. As we cruise, you'll learn more about the geology and history of Cape Verde through lectures from the Expedition Team. There will be opportunities to participate in scientific projects in the Citizen Science program. You can also take it easy and relax on deck in the tropical sun. ... Read More
Friday - Oct 18, 2024
Day 10
At Sea
Saturday - Oct 19, 2024
Day 11
At Sea
Sunday - Oct 20, 2024
Day 12
Porto Novo, Cape Verde
Island paradise made for adventure. Santo Antao's landscapes of peaks, gorges, and canyons have benefited from their unsuitability for agriculture. Largely untouched, this wilderness sanctuary is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. We'll land in Porto Novo, the island's main port, which has spectacular views across to Sao Vicente. Enjoy a ride around the island, which takes you on a nature tour through the island's ribeiras. These are deep, narrow canyons with near vertical walls. Or you could take a nature walk and admire the beauty of these local spots up close. Walk along trails through mango and almond groves, punctuated by the delicious aroma of roasting coffee wafting through the villages. ... Read More
Monday - Oct 21, 2024
Day 13
Sao Filipe, Cape Verde
A landscape of lava, craters, and calderas. Today's expedition day takes you to Fogo, an island dominated by a cone-shaped active volcano. Centuries of eruptions, the last in 2014, have left an incredible landscape for us to explore. Enjoy a tour of Sao Filipe's cobbled streets and charming historic center. Don't miss the stunning lava fields of Cha das Caldeiras. Fogo doesn't have any natural harbors, so we'll only land if conditions allow us to launch our small boats (RIBs). Otherwise, you'll take in the spectacular volcanic scenery as we cruise around the island. ... Read More
Tuesday - Oct 22, 2024
Day 14
Praia, Cape Verde
See Santiago's eclectic mix of cultural influences. Santiago embodies the spirit of the Cape Verde archipelago. Here you can enjoy a little of everything, from historical sites and bustling markets to lush valleys and jagged mountains. The capital of Praia is a dynamic city that attracts immigrants from the rest of Cape Verde and the African continent. Explore Praia's vibrant culture on a city tour. Visit the museums and buildings around the Plateau, which displays artifacts recovered from the islands' shipwrecks. Stop by viewpoints, the local market, and more. ... Read More
Wednesday - Oct 23, 2024
Day 15
Sal Rei, Boa Vista, Cape Verde, Cape Verde
Explore an island gem. You've now reached Cape Verde's easternmost island, Boa Vista. You'll be awed by the rugged beauty of the Sahara-like desert formations and landscapes of this volcanic island. The sand dunes and oases found here are in stark contrast to the other islands we visit on this cruise. Stroll the streets of the island's capital, Sal Rei, where you can explore its history and traditions, and visit Santa Isabel Church. The Ponta do Sol nature reserve is within hiking distance of the town and a great way to enjoy the scenery. ... Read More
Thursday - Oct 24, 2024
Day 16
At Sea
Heading towards Africa. We leave Cape Verde and set course for Guinea-Bissau. Your Expedition Team will brief you on what lies ahead as we sail. Learn about the extraordinary biodiversity found on the Bissagos Islands, the traditional culture of the Bijagos people, and the historical impact of Portuguese exploration and the slave trade. You can participate in the Citizen Science projects and contribute data to ongoing research projects. You could also brush up on your photography skills with an onboard photographer to prepare for the sights to come. ... Read More
Friday - Oct 25, 2024
Day 17
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea
Take in the nature and wildlife of this UNESCO wonder. Over the next four days, you'll explore a maze of islands and channels, seeking out mangroves, tropical forests, savannah woodlands, and coastal lagoons. Our small boats (RIBs) will take us down the smaller channels and on-shore landings with the Expedition Team. We may also launch our kayaks. You'll meet and learn more about the local Bijagos people, a tribal society organized in clans. Practicing a life that is in balance with nature, they hold the world around them as sacred and have retained their ancestral traditions. Local conditions will determine when and where we can land and explore, but whatever we do you can be sure you'll experience the rich diversity of the archipelago up close. ... Read More
Saturday - Oct 26, 2024
Day 18
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea
Sunday - Oct 27, 2024
Day 19
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea
Monday - Oct 28, 2024
Day 20
Cruising the Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea
Tuesday - Oct 29, 2024
Day 21
Dakar, Senegal
End your adventure in Senegal's vibrant capital. Your expedition cruise ends in Senegal's kaleidoscopic capital, Dakar. After you disembark MS Spitsbergen, take an included city tour to explore this fascinating city. Listen out for the many languages of West Africa, such as Wolof, Pular, and Serer. Undoubtedly, seeing the diversity of local cultures here is a wonderful way to round off your trip. With the tour complete, you'll be taken to a hotel for lunch and spend the rest of the day relaxing in comfort at the hotel, before transferring to the airport for your return journey home. ... Read More
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