Featured Cabins
Itinerary
Southampton, England
Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port. It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the centre has been extensively rebuilt, but there are still some interesting medieval buildings including the Bargate, one of the finest city gatehouses in England.
La Coruña, Spain
La Coruña, the largest city in Spain’s Galicia region, is among the country’s busiest ports. The remote Galicia area is tucked into the northwest corner of the Iberian Peninsula, surprising visitors with its green and misty countryside that is so much unlike other parts of Spain. The name “Galicia” is Celtic in origin, for it was the Celts who occupied the region around the 6th-century BC and erected fortifications. La Coruña was already considered an important port under the Romans. They were followed by an invasion of Suevians, Visigoths and, much later in 730, the Moors. It was after Galicia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Asturias that the epic saga of the Pilgrimage to Santiago (St. James) began. From the 15th century, overseas trade developed rapidly; in 1720, La Coruña was granted the privilege of trading with America – a right previously only held by Cadiz and Seville. This was the great era when adventurous men voyaged to the colonies and returned with vast riches. Today, the city’s significant expansion is evident in three distinct quarters: the town centre located along the isthmus; the business and commercial centre with wide avenues and shopping streets; and the “Ensanche” to the south, occupied by warehouses and factories. Many of the buildings in the old section feature the characteristic glazed façades that have earned La Coruña the name “City of Crystal.” Plaza Maria Pita, the beautiful main square, is named after the local heroine who saved the town in 1589 when she seized the English standard from the beacon and gave the alarm, warning her fellow townsmen of the English attack.
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
Formed by a volcanic eruption, Madeira lies in the Gulf Stream, about 500 miles due west of Casablanca. Discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, this beautiful island became part of Portugal’s vast empire and was named for the dense forest which cloaked it – ‘Madeira’ means ‘wood’ in Portuguese. Sugar plantations first brought wealth here, and when King Charles II of England granted an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies, many British emigrants were drawn to the capital, Funchal. Today’s travellers come to Madeira for the varied and luxuriant scenery, from mountain slopes covered with vines to picturesque villages and a profusion of wild flowers. The natural beauty of the island has earned it many pseudonyms such as ‘The Floating Garden of the Atlantic’, ‘The Island of Eternal Springtime’ and ‘God’s Botanical Gardens’ and our selection of excursions aim to show you why.
Praia, Santiago Island, Cape Verde
Start your Expedition Cruise in Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, located in the south of Santiago Island. You can explore its old centre overlooking the ocean and its historical buildings with transom windows. In the old quarter, you can also learn about the diversity of the archipelago’s cultural origins in the Ethnographic Museum. To finish your day, head to the harbour to visit the Diogo Gomes statue, paying homage to the man who discovered the archipelago in 1460.
Sao Vicente Island, Cape Verde
Lanzarote, Spain
Agadir, Morocco
Shaped by the Atlas Mountains on one side, Agadir is framed on the other by a magnificent crescent-shaped beach. While little is known of the city’s origins, the Portuguese created a fortress here at the end of the 15th century, naming it Santa Cruz de Ghir. Freed from Portugal’s occupation by the Saadians in 1540, Agadir grew into a colourful and prosperous port and became newsworthy in 1911 when a German gunboat, the Panther, sailed into the bay as a protest against the division of North Africa between the Spanish and French. Morocco gained independence from the French in 1956, an event which was closely followed in Agadir by the tragic earthquake of 1960. The city, which has been rebuilt to represent the ‘new nation’, is blessed by fine sandy beaches overlooked by luxurious hotels and a great selection of cafés and restaurants. Please note that vendors in the souks can be very persistent and eager to make a sale.
Casablanca, Morocco
The original settlement formed on the site of Casablanca by the Berbers became the kingdom of Anfa, and during the 15th century harboured pirates who raided the Portuguese coast. In retaliation for the attacks, the Portuguese destroyed Anfa and founded the town they called Casa Branca (white house). They remained here until an earthquake in 1755 and the town was subsequently rebuilt by Mohammed ben Abdallah, whose legacy of mosques and houses can still be seen in the old Medina. Casablanca acquired its present-day name when the Spanish obtained special port privileges in 1781. The French landed here in 1907, later establishing a protectorate and modelling the town on the port of Marseilles. Today Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city, its most significant port and the centre of commerce and industry. The city is a vibrant fusion of European, African and Arabian influences and its French colonial architecture and art deco buildings seamlessly blend in with the busy, colourful markets. Please note that vendors in the souks can be very persistent and eager to make a sale.
Lisbon, Portugal
Set on seven hills on the banks of the River Tagus, Lisbon has been the capital of Portugal since the 13th century. It is a city famous for its majestic architecture, old wooden trams, Moorish features and more than twenty centuries of history. Following disastrous earthquakes in the 18th century, Lisbon was rebuilt by the Marques de Pombal who created an elegant city with wide boulevards and a great riverfront and square, Praça do Comércio. Today there are distinct modern and ancient sections, combining great shopping with culture and sightseeing in the Old Town, built on the city’s terraced hillsides. The distance between the ship and your tour vehicle may vary. This distance is not included in the excursion grades.
Southampton, England
Lying near the head of Southampton Water, a peninsula between the estuaries of the Rivers Test and Itchen, Southampton is Britain’s largest cruise port. It has been one of England’s major ports since the Middle Ages, when it exported wool and hides from the hinterland and imported wine from Bordeaux. The city suffered heavy damage during World War Two and as a result the centre has been extensively rebuilt, but there are still some interesting medieval buildings including the Bargate, one of the finest city gatehouses in England.
Cabin Options
Inside Cabin
Sea View
Sea View (Fully Obstructed View)
Standard Balcony Cabins
Sea View Single
Deluxe Balcony Cabin
Single Balcony
Mini-Suites
Suites
Ship Facilities
Please note: Aurora is exclusively for adults.
Please note: Aurora is exclusively for adults.
About the Ship
Deck Plans
- Medical Centre
- Standard Outside Cabins
- Standard Inside Cabins
- Reception Desk
- Palm Court
- Loyalty & Cruise Sales
- Launderette
- Standard Outside Cabins
- Standard Inside Cabins
- Alexandria Restaurant
- Medina Restaurant
- Shopping
- Explorers
- The Curzon Theatre
- Anderson’s
- Charlie’s
- Mayfair Court
- Shopping
- Masquerade
- Art Gallery
- Casino
- Champion’s
- Carmen’s
- Standard Outside Cabins
- Deluxe Balcony Cabins
- Larger Outside Cabins
- Standard Inside Cabins
- Single Balcony Cabins
- Raffles Bar
- Raffles Court
- Sindhu Restaurant
- Vanderbilt’s
- Photo Gallery
- The Playhouse
- The Glass House
- Terrace Bar
- Terrace Pool
- Whirlpool Spas
- Suites
- Standard Balcony Cabins
- Larger Outside Cabins
- Standard Outside Cabins
- Single Outside Cabins
- Inside Cabins
- Penthouse Suites
- Suites (lower level)
- Mini-Suites
- Deluxe Balcony Cabins
- Balcony Cabins
- Standard Outside Cabins
- Larger Inside Cabins
- Standard Inside Cabins
- Standard Inside Cabins
- Standard Balcony Cabins
- Riviera Pool
- Riviera Bar
- Treatment Rooms
- Oasis Spa
- Lido Grill
- Oasis Salon
- Whirlpool Spas
- Crystal Bar
- Crystal Pool
- Horizon Restaurant
- The Beach House
- Pennant Bar
- Suites (higher level)
- Balcony Cabins
- Outside Cabins
- Inside Staterooms
- Single Outside Cabins
- Riviera Pool
- Launderette
- Whirlpool Spa
- Fitness Room
- The Crow’s Nest
- Uganda Room/Wedding Venue
- Library
- Retractable Roof
- Sports Court
- Golf Nets
- Medical Centre
- Standard Outside Cabins
- Standard Inside Cabins
- Reception Desk
- Palm Court
- Loyalty & Cruise Sales
- Launderette
- Standard Outside Cabins
- Standard Inside Cabins
- Alexandria Restaurant
- Medina Restaurant
- Shopping
- Explorers
- The Curzon Theatre
- Anderson’s
- Charlie’s
- Mayfair Court
- Shopping
- Masquerade
- Art Gallery
- Casino
- Champion’s
- Carmen’s
- Standard Outside Cabins
- Deluxe Balcony Cabins
- Larger Outside Cabins
- Standard Inside Cabins
- Single Balcony Cabins
- Raffles Bar
- Raffles Court
- Sindhu Restaurant
- Vanderbilt’s
- Photo Gallery
- The Playhouse
- The Glass House
- Terrace Bar
- Terrace Pool
- Whirlpool Spas
- Suites
- Standard Balcony Cabins
- Larger Outside Cabins
- Standard Outside Cabins
- Single Outside Cabins
- Inside Cabins
- Penthouse Suites
- Suites (lower level)
- Mini-Suites
- Deluxe Balcony Cabins
- Balcony Cabins
- Standard Outside Cabins
- Larger Inside Cabins
- Standard Inside Cabins
- Standard Inside Cabins
- Standard Balcony Cabins
- Riviera Pool
- Riviera Bar
- Treatment Rooms
- Oasis Spa
- Lido Grill
- Oasis Salon
- Whirlpool Spas
- Crystal Bar
- Crystal Pool
- Horizon Restaurant
- The Beach House
- Pennant Bar
- Suites (higher level)
- Balcony Cabins
- Outside Cabins
- Inside Staterooms
- Single Outside Cabins
- Riviera Pool
- Launderette
- Whirlpool Spa
- Fitness Room
- The Crow’s Nest
- Uganda Room/Wedding Venue
- Library
- Retractable Roof
- Sports Court
- Golf Nets