Departure from Hamburg

Your Atlantic coast adventure starts here

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.

Bound for Amsterdam

Relax and learn at sea

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.

Amsterdam's Dutch masters

A creative, cosmopolitan city known for the arts

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. 

White cliffs and castles

Discover Dover's medieval fortifications

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 past and present

Discover historic beaches, Caen and WWII memorials 

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.

Buccaneers’ hideout, corsairs den

Sheltered by the island of Batz, old Roscoff is a delightful little port heavily charged with a pirating past. Simply promenading up and down the quays of the old tidal harbour, with the bustle of boats to the island of Batz, the fishing boats, and the modern yachts, is a pleasure not to be missed. And don’t be fooled by the ferry port as it has no effect on the charm of the old port. Built in the 1970s just to to east of the historical centre, the deep-water port has been a bless to Roscoff, preserving the traditions seafront as it was. 

Old Roscoff success story is intimately related to the conflicts with England. Shipowners, corsairs, and smugglers were engaged, and profit from, a centuries-long struggle with their northern neighbours across the channel. Roscoff corsairs sailed off from the old port to join in the battle for control of the seas that raged for ages between France and England. Lest bloody was the parallel success of many merchants, trading for centuries with the Hanseatic League, Flanders, Portugal, and Spain. 

The city benefited from its wealthy citizens, who left behind a succession of lavish buildings. Take your time to enjoy the picturesque streets of the historic town overlooking the sea, visit the church of Notre-Dame de Kroaz Batz, walk up and down the street of Rue Albert-de-Muns, observe the centuries old houses built since the 16th century, and make your way to the Pointe de Bloscon, with its tiny Chapelle Ste-Barbe and the views of Morlaix Bay. And if you are and adventurous foody, there are many restaurants where you can taste local specialties such as fresh fish, seafood platters, and the traditional and world-famous Breton crêpes. 

Roscoff is the gateway to Haut-Léon, the northernmost shire of the department of Finistère, the Land’s End region of France. If you want to explore more of this fascinating corner of Brittany, don’t hesitate to join one of our optional excursions to some of the gems of the Breton heritage.

Sailing the Bay of Biscay

Unwind and enjoy the natural world around you

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.

Historical A Coruña

A sea voyage along the Finisterre coast

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.

Galicia's UNESCO sites

A Galician town, proud of its unique identity

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.

The ancient port of Vigo

The beautiful city of Vigo in the heart of Galicia

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.

Charming Porto

Explore the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Porto

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.

The delights of Lisbon

One of southern Europe's most enchanting cities

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.

Disembark in Lisbon

Explore more of Lisbon or head home

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.