Macaronesia & Bissagos Islands – Grand Expedition Cruise (Southbound)

Begin your grand expedition cruise in Lisbon

Your expedition cruise begins in Lisbon. The Portuguese capital is rich in history and culture, and 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 theatre and Moorish fortress. 

You can also visit the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Torre de Belém and Mosteiro dos Jerónimos a little further from the city centre, where you'll also find delicious pastéis de Belém. Then it's time to board MS Spitsbergen and begin your adventure at sea.  

To give yourself time to explore the city, why not arrive early and extend your stay an extra night to do some sightseeing. Join our optional Lisbon Pre-Programme for a sightseeing tour of the city and surrounding areas. 

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.  Or if you want to improve your camera skills, get some pointers on landscape composition from our expedition photographer. 

Don't miss our Expedition Team's fascinating lectures on Madeira's history and wildlife, and learn about important conservation projects, like how locals are working to remove invasive plant species from Madeira Natural Park.  

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, why not 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 us on a panoramic coach tour to visit Ponta da Calheta, Pico do Castelo and Fonte de 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.   

Experience Funchal's Old-World charm  

Enveloped by swathes of humid laurel forest, Madeira rises majestically out of the Atlantic in riotous shades of green. Funchal is its quaint and cosmopolitan capital, and it's filled with Old World charm.  

Visit the historic old town and see the beautiful cathedral. Dating back to 1485, its wooden ceiling is a classic example of Manueline architecture. Sample Madeira's fortified wines and try the sweet ananas-banana fruit that looks like a giant gherkin. 

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 truly fun and memorable experience!  

Learn about the Canary Islands as we sail 

With volcanic landscapes and a rich history, you may want to learn more about the Canary Islands before we arrive. Our Expedition Team are 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 our onboard restaurant and watch the sunset from the Explorer Lounge & Bar.  

Or why not head over to the Science Center and take part in Citizen Science projects that support marine conservation. We believe everyone can make a difference in protecting the world's most precious habitats. 

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. Farther afield, you can join a walk to experience the spectacular Caldera de Taburiente National Park.  

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 centre, you can visit the Baroque church, Iglesia de la Virgen de la Asunción, where Christopher Columbus and his crew are said to have prayed before setting sail. You can also visit the archaeological museum to learn about the mysterious Gaunche people who first settled these islands. 

Or why not hike through the beautiful laurel forests and idyllic palm-covered valleys of the mountainous Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  

See the unique geology of this UNESCO biosphere  

With lava-sculpted rocks and flower-filled fields, 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 Canaries. 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 criss-crossing trails.  

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, Pico de Fogo –literally meaning ‘peak of fire' – rising 9,250 ft above sea level. 

As we cruise, you'll learn more about the geology and history of Cape Verde through lectures from our Expedition Team. There'll also be opportunities to participate in scientific projects in our Citizen Science programme, and you can take it easy and relax on deck in the tropical sun.  

Island paradise made for adventure  

Santo Antão'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 São 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 why not go on a nature walk and take in the local beauty spots up close. Walk along trails through mango and almond groves, punctuated by the delicious aroma of roasting coffee wafting through the villages. 

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 São Filipe's cobbled streets and charming historic centre. Or why not discover the stunning lava fields of Chã das Caldeiras.  

Fogo doesn't have any natural harbours, so we'll only land if conditions allow us to launch our smaller expedition boats. Otherwise, you'll take in the spectacular volcanic scenery as we cruise around the island. 

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 craggy 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. 

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. 

Heading towards Africa 

We leave Cape Verde and set a 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 Bijagós people, and the historical impact of Portuguese exploration and the slave trade.  

You can participate in our Citizen Science projects and contribute data to ongoing research projects. Or why not brush up your photography skills with our onboard photographer in readiness for the sights to come. 

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 expedition boats will take us down the smaller channels and on shore landings with the Expedition Team, and we may launch our kayaks. 

You'll meet and learn more about the local Bijagós people, a tribal society organised in clans. Practising a life that's in balance with nature, they hold the world around them 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. 

End your adventure in Senegal's vibrant capital  

Your expedition cruise ends in Senegal's kaleidoscopic capital, Dakar. After you disembark MS Spitsbergen, we'll take you on 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.