Grand Canary Islands, Madeira & Morocco Cruise

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Grand Canary Islands, Madeira & Morocco Cruise

Autumn Atlantic Cruise

Sail south towards the warmer waters and bluer skies of Portugal, Madeira, the Canaries and Morocco on board Columbus. After a day spent exploring the cobbled streets, squares and harbourside of Rotterdam, and two Portuguese calls in Leixoes and Lisbon, you'll cruise south into the Atlantic. Wander Madeira's capital, Funchal, and the glorious green landscape that surrounds it. Spend three days discovering Fuertaventura, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria, two more in the mesmerising Moroccan ports of Agadir and Casablanca, and one each in oh-so-British Gibraltar, Moorish Cadiz and the historic Spanish fishing port of Vigo. Make the most of lazy days at sea, and take advantage of opportunities to visit Oporto's port wine lodges, the souks of Marrakesh, Seville's elegant streets and the breath-taking cathedral of Santiago de Compostela on optional shore excursions.

Holiday Highlights

Sail south to sun-kissed isles
Enjoy lazy days at sea
Calls at 12 unforgettable ports
Rotterdam - historic maritime city
Visit wine-producing Porto from Leixoes
Portuguese capital Lisbon - the Gateway to the New World
Spend a day in the floral paradise of Funchal, Madeira
Christopher Columbus was a regular visitor to Las Palmas
Canary Isle Tenerife - the "whole world in one day"
Arrecife - Lanzarote's colourful capital
Agadir's beaches and colourful souks
Casablanca - your gateway to Marrakesh
Call at "more-British-than-Britain" Gibraltar
Cadiz is one of Europe's oldest cities
Discover Spanish Vigo's natural harbour

What's Included

19 nights' accommodation in your choice of cabin
Delicious full board cuisine
Afternoon teas and late night snacks
Captain’s Cocktail Party (cruises of 6 nights or more)
Self service tea & coffee (6am to midnight)
Big show entertainment, cabarets and classical interludes
Daytime activities and leisure facilities
Guest speaker and arts & crafts (cruises of 5 nights or more)
Porterage of luggage, port to cabin
Port Taxes

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart from London Tilbury
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: 0900hrs Depart: 1700hrs 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 3-4

At sea
The next two days are spent at sea getting to know Columbus, her crew and her excellent facilities, and making new friends as you settle into the relaxed pace of life on board.

Day 5

Leixoes, Portugal
Arrive: 0800hrs Depart: 1800hrs 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 6

Lisbon, Portugal
Arrive: 0800hrs Depart: 1800hrs 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

At sea
Spend the day relaxing as Columbus sails south-west into the Atlantic.

Day 8

Madeira, Portugal
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 9

Gran Canaria, Spain
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 10

Tenerife, Spain
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 11

Lanzarote, Spain
Arrive: 0800hrs Depart: 1400hrs The last of our Canaries' calls is Arrecife, capital of Lanzarote. Enjoy this sun-baked and colourful holiday isle where black-sand beaches run gently down into warm waters. Why not head to the island's "fire mountain" to take a camel ride to the edge of a volcano?

Day 12

Agadir, Morocco
Arrive: 0700hrs Depart: 1400hrs The striking Moroccan port city of Agadir welcomes Columbus this morning. The centre of life in the modern city is its stunning beach, backed by restaurants and cafes, while the two markets – Marche Municipal and Medina d'Agadir - are a bustling, colourful diversion. Optional shore excursions will offer the chance to head inland to discover a taste of traditional Morocco.

Day 13

Casablanca, Morocco
Arrive: 0800hrs Depart: 2200hrs 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 14

Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory
Arrive: 1200hrs Depart: 2330hrs Today Columbus arrives at the tiny British territory of Gibraltar. Explore the very British Main Street, and take the cable car to the summit of the famous Rock - not only for the tremendous views to Morocco's Atlas Mountains, but also to meet the outpost's famously mischievous Barbary Apes.

Day 15

Cadiz, Spain
Arrive: 0700hrs Depart: 2400hrs Ancient Cadiz, with its elegant squares, great cathedral and wonderful Botanical Garden, is a fascinating city. Step ashore to explore or to join today’s optional excursions which will include a trip to Seville (the Cradle of Flamenco) with its sumptuous cathedral, famous bell tower, wonderful Alcazar and bullring.

Day 16

At sea
Relax on board as Columbus spends another day at sea.

Day 17

Vigo, Spain
Arrive: 0800hrs Depart: 1800hrs Early this morning Columbus makes her way into the stunning natural harbour of Ria de Vigo. A historic fishing port, Vigo bustles with life, especially in the cobbled streets of the old town, where the day’s catch is laid out on granite tables, and cafes serve strong coffee to arriving fishermen - and cruise holidaymakers. Stroll the seafront, or join an optional excursion to Santiago de Compostela, destination of pilgrims and arguably the world’s first tourist destination.

Day 18-19

At sea
The last two days of your cruise are spent at sea, no doubt reliving the memories as Columbus cruises home.

Day 20

Arrive back at London Tilbury
Arrive: 0800hrs Bid farewell to Columbus and all your fellow travellers, this morning, as you disembark at the end of your cruise.

Columbus

Weighing in at 63,000 tonnes and 250 metres, Columbus is the biggest ship in the CMV fleet. Originally launched in 1989 (by Audrey Hepburn), she was extensively refitted in 2015, and now offers 1500 passengers spacious accommodation and elegant communal areas arranged over 12 decks and topped off with the panoramic Dome Observatory.

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.

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At a glance

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