Castle in Saint-Malo
A couple relaxing in the outside jacuzzi
Old village of A Coruña
Monument of the Discoveries and 25 de Abril Bridge, Lisbon
You’ll visit some of Europe’s most historic sites on this Atlantic coastline cruise. Learn about Normandy’s history, from Viking invasions to the D-Day landings. Watch for wildlife as you cross the Bay of Biscay, and prepare for the incredible sight of the 2,000-year-old Torre de Hércules on the approach to A Coruña.
As we travel through Galicia, we’ll experience Spain’s unique blend of cultures. Try local tapas accompanied by Galician cider for a true taste of the towns we visit. Your adventure ends in Lisbon, the jewel in Portugal’s crown.
Onboard activities
Landing activities
We'll help you plan where to go, when to visit and how long to stay
Our expedition cruise begins in Hamburg, the 'Venice of the North'. With so much to see and do, why not book our optional Pre-Programme, which includes a city tour.
You'll discover most of the city's attractions in the Altstadt, including St Nikolai Memorial and Deichstraße Historic Street, and you can also explore two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Chilehaus and the world's largest warehouse complex.
After exploring, settle in to your comfortable expedition ship MS Spitsbergen. Enjoy the first of many delicious, locally-sourced meals before getting to know your Expedition Team.
As our expedition cruise sails south towards the Netherlands, look out for the Frisian Islands today. This sandy archipelago attracts a wealth of wildlife and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Your day at sea is the perfect time to explore the ship and all its facilities. The Expedition Team will begin their lecture programme, sharing insights on your upcoming destinations. Visit the Science Center or follow our biologists on deck as they scan the seas for wildlife.
Today you'll enjoy touring Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ famously liberal capital. It's a showcase of architectural styles, and saturated in history.
Walk along Amsterdam's famous canals and across the old bridges between the Rivers Amstel and Ij. Admire the charming townhouses lining the canals of the Grachtengordel, now protected by UNESCO.
Head over to Museumplein, where three of the world's top museums await you: the Rijksmuseum with its unrivalled collection of Dutch Masters; the Vincent Van Gogh Museum; and the Stedelijk Museum - one of the best places to view modern art.
Dover has been the gateway to Britain since prehistoric times. Its white cliffs became a symbol of hope for peace during WWII, but were also referenced centuries earlier by Shakespeare in King Lear.
Start your day with a short walk to Dover Castle, a huge fortress with dazzling views of the Channel. Pay a visit to the underground barrack tunnels that served as headquarters during the evacuation of soldiers from Dunkirk in 1940. Or explore Dover’s remaining Norman church.
You can also take a stroll east of Dover Castle towards South Foreland Lighthouse for magnificent views of the cliffs and surrounding area.
Normandy's history goes far back. While the region is well known for the 1944 D-Day landings, these beaches were once invaded by Vikings. You'll discover more on today's included excursion. Learn about WWII history in Ouistreham’s Musée de Debarquement No 4 Commando, the German fortifications at the Grand Bunker Mur de l’Atlantique Musée, and the war cemetery at Hermanville-sur-Mer. Your other included excursion today will be to pretty Caen, where you'll explore the 12th century St Samson church and the 11th century Saint-Étienne Romanesque church. Other highlights include the Mémorial de Caen Museum and the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Viewed from the sea, Saint-Malo is an impressive sight, fringed by fortified bastions and shallow beaches. A circular walk along the ramparts offers the best views of the town and surrounding islands. Take a tour of the Privateers house to learn about the ruthless Corsairs and the town’s pirate heritage.
You can also follow the historical trail within the old city walls through a maze of cobbled streets. The Gothic-style St Vincent Cathedral and the Chateau de la Duchesse Anne are worth a visit. And at low tide, you can walk to the fortified island, Le Grand-Bé, where famous local writer Chateaubriand is buried.
As we continue our expedition cruise across the Bay of Biscay to Spain, grab your binoculars and look out for wildlife. Up to a quarter of the world’s species of whales, dolphins and porpoises have been recorded in the waters of the bay. Our onboard photographer will be on hand to give tips.
If you haven’t already done so, now could be a good time to explore the onboard Science Center. Or perhaps join the Expedition Team for lectures on different topics related to your travels. You can also make full use of the leisure facilities on board MS Spitsbergen, like the panoramic sauna.
We continue our Atlantic crossing along the rugged Galician coast towards Finisterre, the ‘Land’s End’ region of northwestern Spain.
As we approach our destination in A Coruña, look for the Tower of Hercules. It's the world's oldest functioning lighthouse and a UNESCO treasure. Built around 2,000 years ago in Roman times, the tower has survived to this day and still helps ships navigate the tricky Finisterre coast.
We expect to dock in the evening, so you’ve plenty of time for a leisurely stroll into town and a visit to the lighthouse. Galician maritime heritage still permeates life here, as you will discover.
We'll spend the day exploring A Coruña. Once settled by Celtic peoples, A Coruña is one of the main cities in Galicia, a culturally distinct region of Spain. Today, the historical centre is an enticing mix of charming squares and winding streets.
You'll see ancient chapels, Baroque convents and neoclassical architecture on a stroll through the old town. Take a break to sample gallego cuisine, that includes lots of fresh shellfish and hearty stews.
You can also take one of our optional guided tours to visit the Roman walls of Lugo or to the famous pilgrimage city of Santiago de Compostela – both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Our cruise continues to Vigo, once the gateway to the Americas. Protected by the beautiful Cíes Islands, Vigo has one of the best natural harbours in Galicia and became its main trading and fishing port.
As you’d expect, that makes it a perfect place to try some of the seafood this area is famous for. On your way to the old town is Rúa da Pescadería. It's the best place in town to sample the delicious Galician cuisine.
Visit the bustling Rúa do Príncipe with its eclectic and ornate buildings in neoclassical and Art Nouveau styles. From Parque Monte del Castro, you'll see ruins of Celtic settlements dating back to 200 BCE.
Arriving in Portugal, we dock at Leixoes. From here, you can see the Lighthouse of Leça, the Chapel of Boa Nova and the beautiful Praia Azul beach.
Included today is a walking tour of nearby Porto – famed for its port wine and UNESCO-listed historic centre. Its undulating streets are made for strolling, with pastel houses, colourful tiled facades, street art, ornate churches and panoramic views across the Douro.
Stroll along the bustling Ribeira Docks promenade, cross the Dom Luís I bridge, snack on delicious petiscos and enjoy wine tastings at the port cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Your expedition cruise reaches Lisbon in the afternoon. It's the final stop along Europe's Atlantic coast. The Portuguese capital is rich in history and culture.
You'll have time to discover the classical districts of Baixa and Bairro Alto, Alfama and the old Islamic quarter, the remains of the Roman amphitheatre and the 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 – and try the delicious pastéis de Belém egg tarts. In the evening, you'll return to the ship for the night.
After breakfast, it's time to say 'tchau' or farewell to MS Spitsbergen and the wonderful people you've met. But you don’t need to go home just yet. You can explore more of Lisbon and its surroundings by joining our optional Post-Programme.
You'll enjoy a guided tour of Lisbon’s fascinating historic districts, as well as the UNESCO town of Sintra, royal resorts outside the city, Monserrate Palace, and the beaches of Cascais.
Take a closer look at our ships typically used on this expedition
It's a mixture of adventure activities for individuals of all ages
Onboard Science Programme
Our Science Programme has one goal: to increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
Our Science Programme has one goal: to increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
Our expedition ships serve as the perfect platform for scientific research; with access to remote regions of the world and onboard experts, we can provide invaluable data to the scientific community - with help from our guests!
We invite our guests to participate in science activities, developing a greater understanding of the region in which they travel, becoming true ambassadors, and returning home to champion the protection of our planet's most fragile ecosystems.
Delivery of our own lecture programme.
Interacting with guests in our Science Centers to reinforce the lecture programme with practical hands-on guest experiences.
Citizen science programme involving guests in programmes for third-party organisations.
Carrying scientific equipment for sample collection on behalf of research institutes.
Hosting scientific personnel on board to conduct collaborative science programmes.
Seabird Distribution with the Antarctic Site Inventory — Surveys throughout the Antarctic Peninsula help scientists understand how seabirds are using different habitats and provide valuable information about their life cycles.
Cloud Observations with the Globe Program — By observing and recording cloud cover timed to NASA satellite fly-overs, guests can help scientists understand how surface and air temperature are affected by cloud cover, and how clouds will respond to a changing climate.
Happywhale — We assist in tracking individual whales throughout our world’s oceans by harnessing the power of whale watching enthusiasts - our guests - expanding our scientific knowledge of their behaviour and distribution.
Sea Leopard Project — A non-profit study aimed at a better understanding of the behaviour, ecology, and population dynamics of leopard seals on the Antarctic Peninsula to promote their conservation and safe human-seal interactions.
Fjord Phyto — Study phytoplankton to better understand how they respond to water temperature changes in the polar regions, providing a key to help mitigate future environmental impacts.
Join the Expedition Team here for a range of lectures, photography workshops, and Citizen Science Projects. The area also features scientific and educational equipment, such as microscopes and interactive maps.
In-depth talks on history, climate change, sustainability, wildlife, Earth science, culture, and other topics specific to the destination you are visiting are held here. Learning more about each subject is certain to enhance your expedition experience.
Our Science Programme has one goal: To increase your curiosity, knowledge and interest of the areas you are sailing to.
What the Science Programme is about
Learning from the experts on board
Facilities, equipment and activities
Citizen Science research projects- and how you can contribute
Speaker: Verena Meraldi
Learn more about what you can experience when going with us
Practical information you need to know
Expedition exclusive cost savings and rare opportunities.
* Certain offers may not be combinable, up to two savings opportunities except where noted otherwise
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