Grand Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Madeira & Morocco Cruise

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart from London Tilbury, UK
Depart: 1600hrs Make your way to Tilbury and board Columbus. Settle in to your cabin and relax as your cruise begins.

Day 2

Rotterdam, Netherlands
Arrive: 0800hrs Depart: 1430hrs Columbus reaches her first port of call today: the Dutch maritime city of Rotterdam. Step ashore to see the stunning architecture of the Erasmus Bridge and the remarkable Markthal food market. Browse the World-class museums, explore the lovingly preserved Old Harbour and stroll past nearby Delfshaven's step-gabled houses and ancient wharves.

Day 5

Lisbon, Portugal
Arrive: 1200hrs Depart: 1900hrs Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, is Columbus's next port of call. Wander up through the cobbled streets of the Alfama towards Sao Jorge Castle, relax by the fountain in Rossi Square or follow the shoreline along to where the ornate battlements of the Belem Tower guard the mouth of the River Tagus.

Day 7

Funchal, Madeira
Arrive: 0700hrs Depart: 1700hrs Some 500 miles off the coast of Africa, Madeira is one of the world's most beautiful islands. This sun-blessed subtropical paradise is home to some of the most vibrant and exotic flora on Earth. Relax in Funchal, the island capital, visit the wonderful Botanical Gardens, and perhaps race downhill from Monte to Livramento in a wickerwork 'toboggan'!

Day 8

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Arrive: 1200hrs Depart: 2400hrs The great trading port of Las Palmas welcomes Columbus to Gran Canaria, today. Explore modern Puerto de la Luz, or head to the palm-fringed squares of the city's old town, Vegueta. Alternatively, join an optional shore excursion inland to discover some of the island's superb views.

Day 9

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
Arrive: 0700hrs Depart: 2000hrs Today is spent on the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife. Columbus will dock in the principal port of Santa Cruz. Discover the land that boasts "the whole world in one day" on optional shore excursions that might take you for a swim in warm waters or to throw snowballs on the slopes of Mt Teide, or from the capital's glitzy shopping malls to stunning gardens, banana plantations and forests of giant pines and eucalyptus trees.

Day 12

Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde Islands
Arrive: 0800hrs Depart: 1800hrs The 10 volcanic isles that make up the Cape Verde archipelago are fast becoming a popular holiday haven, despite (or perhaps because of) their remote position. Spend the day in Mindelo, the pretty capital of São Vicente, admiring the attractive houses of this colonial outpost, or perhaps joining an optional shore excursion inland.

Day 16

Casablanca, Morocco
Arrive: 0800hrs Depart: 2300hrs This morning Columbus docks in Casablanca, forever associated with the film of the same name. Much of the city is now startlingly modern, but you'll find traditional life and traces of its long history in the medina, and gigantic Hassan II Mosque. Visit the wonderful beaches, and make the most of the designer shopping, or perhaps join an unforgettable shore excursion to Marrakech to explore the tiny stores, alleys and hidden courtyards of the souks, and its vast, bustling square, the Djemaa El Fna.

Day 18

Leixoes, Portugal
Arrive: 0700hrs Depart: 1700hrs The Portuguese port of Leixoes welcomes Columbus, today. Join an optional excursion to the historic city of Oporto, on the River Douro, and visit one of the Port wine lodges. Alternatively, sightsee at leisure, and perhaps take a cruise along the Douro, before you return to the ship to continue your cruise.

Day 19

La Coruña, Spain
Arrive: 0700hrs Depart: 1800hrs Today you'll call at the historic port of La Coruña (or A Coruña). Step ashore to explore the atmospheric medieval quarter, stroll the extensive seafront promenade, or perhaps take an optional shore excursion to fabled Santiago de Compostela, the famous end point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

Day 22

Arrive in London Tilbury, UK
Arrive: 0800hrs Bid farewell to Columbus and all your fellow travellers, today, as you disembark at the end of your autumn Atlantic cruise. Back to top

Further Information

Passport requirements

British Citizens will need a full, 10-year passport to travel on this cruise. Since some countries require visitors to be valid for at least six months after the return date of the cruise we recommend that all customers ensure that this is the case. Holders of non-British passports should check with the relevant embassies to see if any requirements and restrictions exist for any countries visited during the cruise.

Foreign Office travel advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice  to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas. Back to top