Islands of the Atlantic

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. A city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums and many bicycles, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam is a delight to explore. Its patchwork of waterways forms about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. The legacy of the Dutch Golden Age lives on in gilded manses and in the paintings of Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters that adorn the Rijksmuseum, The Netherlands' grand repository of art and cultural history.

Discovering Amsterdam is a pleasure best pursued on foot; visitors line the canals and linger over Dutch pancakes, or take a stroopwafel to go.

In Amsterdam, the bicycle is as much a cultural treasure as any museum. The city's flat terrain makes it ideal for getting around on two wheels. Bikes first pedaled onto the city's streets during the late 19th century; in the 1960s, the first bike-share program was invented here, founded by members of the anti-establishment Provo movement—short for 'provocateur'—whose aim was to reduce air pollution created by cars. The program did not last, but the bicycle did, and cycle lanes were soon added to the street. Today, the city is home to hundreds of thousands of bikes.

About 350 miles long, the English Channel separates southern England from northern France. William the Conqueror crossed these waters to become king of England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. The most triumphant crossing unfolded on D-Day, when Allied troops landed on Normandy's shores. The channel's narrowest point stretches about 20 miles between Dover and Calais. Dover's famed cliffs can be seen from a distance as a long white strip resting on the horizon.

Sail the Atlantic Ocean, divided in half, north to south, by the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined, this underwater mountain range is the longest on Earth. As you sail today, savor a range of international cuisine on board. Choose from a variety of international flavors at the World Café, enjoy al fresco dining on the Aquavit Terrace, or regional specialties in The Restaurant.

The island of Madeira is an enchanting Atlantic paradise. Known as the 'Garden Island' for its rich agriculture, terraced hillsides and beautiful flowers, it maintains a temperate year-round climate. The island's irrigation aqueducts, or levadas, were dug into the hillsides so that early farmers could make use of every patch of land. One of the island's most prolific crops that has long been fed by levadas is grapes, which produce four types of Madeira wine popular around the world. In the capital and port city of Funchal, the picturesque Old Town is best explored on foot.

Sail legendary waters, where medieval Europeans believed 'there be dragons' beyond the ocean's horizon. As you sail, explore our well-curated library, tucked in a private alcove of The Living Room, and select from a broad range of titles. Read a book by the Main Pool, a calming oasis in any weather with its retractable roof, allowing for year-round swimming.

The Cape Verde archipelago is group of ten volcanic islands that enjoy a year-round warm climate, turquoise seas and beautiful landscapes. The isles were first inhabited after their discovery by Portuguese sailors during the 15th century. Mindelo is the capital of São Vicente and birthplace of Cesaria Evora—a singer who rose from poverty to worldwide fame on the international stage. She performed her distinctive morna ballads to audiences while barefoot, which soon became her trademark style; her music is widely celebrated and is a part of Cape Verde's heritage.

The nutrient-rich waters of the Atlantic Ocean are home to more than half of the world's fisheries, annually providing millions of tons of fish and other marine species for human consumption and industrial purposes. Renew your body, mind and spirit in our Scandinavian-inspired spa, a Nordic sanctuary of holistic wellness, today while at sea. Whether you unwind in the Sauna, refresh in the Snow Grotto or take a dip in the Thermal Pool, you will feel recharged and revitalized.

Trace the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, an underwater mountain range longer than the Rockies, the Himalayas and the Andes combined. Its hidden towering peaks divide the Atlantic Ocean in half, North to South. As you sail today, attend an informative lecture or watch a film on our 8k laser-projected panoramic screen in The Aula, one of the world's most advanced venues for learning at sea. This indoor-outdoor experience allows nature to take center stage with its retractable floor-to-ceiling windows that unveil 270° views.

The Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory comprising almost 800 small islands. Visitors to the main island of East Falkland, from curious travelers to expedition ship crews en route to Antarctica, experience British warmth in Port Stanley's pubs and at the charming Victorian stone church. Remarkably, there are about 200 sheep for every person in this starkly beautiful archipelago, yet the Falklands are also known for their biological diversity. Five penguin species call the islands home, from the king penguins to the gentoo, and the Magellanic on farther shores.

West Point Island boasts some of the most magnificent coastal vistas with soaring cliffs spilling into the surf. This visually dramatic land was founded as a sheep farm in 1879 by Arthur Felton. Today, his great-nephew Roddy Napier owns the entire island; he and his wife Lily oversee the farm and regularly welcome travelers. The island and its neighbors also enjoy status as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area with BirdLife International. Significant species include the Falkland steamer duck, black-browed albatross, southern rockhopper penguin and Magellanic penguin.

New Island is renowned for its spectacular landscapes, with towering cliffs, white-sand beaches and rugged coves that are waiting to be explored. It is an important wildlife conservation area and home to protected bird species, including gentoo, Magellanic and rockhopper penguins, black-browed albatross and peregrine falcons, to name a few. In the island's main harbor, the equipment and infrastructure of a whaling station remain; the site once employed more than 80 men, however operated for less than a decade before moving to the more lucrative waters of South Georgia.

Ushuaia is the southernmost city in the world. Its splendid setting, tucked between the Beagle Channel and the southernmost slopes of the Andes, lends it an outpost atmosphere, as do the Antarctic explorers readying for the expeditions that depart from here. Ushuaia is the capital of and gateway to the celebrated Tierra del Fuego, the 'Land of Fire,' named by Spaniards upon seeing the constant flames burned by the indigenous Yámana to keep warm. This largely unspoiled region comprises the large island of Tierra del Fuego and countless Chilean and Argentine islands.

The 'city at the end of the world' is one of the planet's most breathtaking destinations; Andean peaks, pristine lakes and boreal forests create a dramatic backdrop, surrounding this captivating coastal town. Although Ushuaia lies more than 600 miles north of Antarctica, the city's port is still the closest to the 'Last Continent' and the starting point for its exploration. The majesty of Antarctica's landscape attracts visitors seeking adventure, with its packed ice plains, rugged mountains and abundance of wildlife, such as whales, seals and various species of penguin.

Disembark your ship and transfer to the airport for your charter flight. Bid farewell to your fellow travelers and journey home.