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Beginning in Las Palmas, this incomparable voyage will visit incredible ports throughout the Canary Islands, Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. From savoring tasty traditional cuisine and joining engaging guided tours to exploring UNESCO World Heritage Sites and delving deep into the history of the destinations you’ll visit, you'll enjoy 14 included features and Cultural Discoveries throughout your world-class small ship voyage.
Explore famed monuments in Lisbon, see the treasures of Seville, discover Tangier's labyrinthine medina, delve into the history of Casablanca, and set out on a day trip to southern Spain. Treat your tastebuds to traditional fare, such as Portuguese pastéis de Belém and Moroccan tagine. In addition to Vantage's included activities, you'll have ample free time to further explore many of these destinations at your leisure. Plus, you'll enjoy extended hotel stays in Portugal and the Canary Islands.
All throughout your memorable Mediterranean cruise, you'll enjoy the luxury amenities and 5-star service for which Vantage is known. Treat yourself to a pampering spa treatment, take a soak in the top-deck hot tubs, work up a sweat at the fitness center, find a favorite book or movie at the well-stocked library, or simply relax with a cocktail while taking in the views from the panoramic Observation Lounge. After a day of shoreside exploration, retreat to your sumptuous stateroom, a true oasis at sea. Our small passenger-to-crew ratio and top-of-the-line personalized service ensures an incomparable, unsurpassed journey for all our guests. Step aboard and join Vantage Deluxe World Travel on this comprehensive small ship luxury cruise across the Western Mediterranean.
Board an overnight flight to Las Palmas
You’ll board an overnight flight to the Canary Islands today. Or, depart earlier for your optional pre-trip extension in Tenerife.
Arrive in Las Palmas and settle in
Welcome to the Canary Islands! If you purchased your airfare from Vantage, a representative will meet you at the airport to assist with transfers to your hotel.
Later, you’ll enjoy a guided walking tour of Las Palmas. Founded in 1478 by Juan Rejón, an Aragonese captain serving in the Castilian navy, this Spanish city is the capital of Gran Canaria and the 9th-largest city in Spain. With its North African flavor and mixture of Modernist, Bauhaus, and Spanish colonial architecture, this underrated destination is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the Mediterranean. Its expansive beaches, boasting soft sand and calm waters, are perfect for those seeking a relaxing spot to soak up the sun. The blend of Modernist structures in the Triana district and the charming colonial architecture of Vegueta’s Old Quarter make this one of the most interesting places to photograph in Europe. Today’s guided walking tour will acquaint you with some of the unique and special sites to be found in this enchanting city.
Included Features:
Las Palmas at your leisure
Craft your own itinerary today with a full day at leisure to explore more of Las Palmas on your own.
Included meals:
Embark the Ocean Odyssey today
Today, you’ll proceed to the pier and step aboard the Ocean Odyssey to begin your small ship cruise. Along the way, you’ll be treated to a private motorcoach tour of Las Palmas.
Get settled into your sumptuous stateroom and take time to explore the onboard amenities, including the boutique, spa, and fitness center. Stop by the Destination Manager’s desk to make a spa appointment or organize a group dinner with your travel companions. Later, join the first of your daily port talks to learn about tomorrow’s exciting destination.
Uncover the magnificent wonders of Arrecife
Arrecife, the quiet capital of Lanzarote in the Canary Islands, is a beautiful port city filled with historic buildings and interesting venues. On today’s guided tour, you’ll be able to visit a few of these sites for yourself.
Your first stop will be Jameos del Agua. Originally conceived as a performance hall, this auditorium space is carved into the basalt rock of a volcanic tunnel. Completed in 1977, the auditorium offers fantastic acoustics with a stage set inside a section of the volcanic tunnel and terraced seating that follows the natural slope of the terrain.
Next, you’ll visit Cueva de los Verdes, a lava tube found within the Monumento Natural del Malpaís de La Corona, a protected area of the Canary Islands. Created over 3 millennia ago from the lava flows of nearby Monte Corona, the cave system extends for over three-and-a-half miles above the sea, and almost one mile below sea level.
Your final stop will be the cliffs of La Graciosa, a volcanic Island located across the Strait of El Rio. Created by the Canarian hotspot — a volcanically active region of the Canary Islands, just off the coast of northwest Africa — and with a year-round population of just under 1,000 residents, this island is a popular travel destination due to its tempered climate and sandy beaches.
Included Feature:
Delight in your ship’s amenities during a day at sea
One of the true pleasures of a luxurious, small ship cruise is the onboard experience as you sail from one incredible destination to another. From indulgent spa treatments and soothing hot tubs to elegant dining and engaging onboard lectures, you’ll find everything you need to feel relaxed, pampered, and entertained today.
Onboard Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional onboard experience. Enhance your time on board with one of our Vantage-exclusive activities, including wine and whiskey tastings, a multicourse Chef’s Table Dinner, or an exclusive wine-pairing dinner. Learn more
Sea and sun in Agadir
Today we’ll arrive in Agadir. Located in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, along the southern Atlantic coast of Morocco, this resort destination is known as much for its seaside promenade and numerous golf courses as it is for its maze-like souks and traditional hammams. With over 300 sunny days per year, and countless cafés and restaurants offering both traditional and trendy specialties, Agadir is a favorite destination for sun-seekers and foodies alike. Today, you’ll head out to explore this delightful seaside city for yourself during a guided tour, followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
Relax on board and enjoy your ship’s amenities
Relax with a day at sea — refresh, renew, and relish in your ship’s Deluxe amenities. Perhaps you’ll join a morning workout class. You could enjoy a facial at the spa, meet friends in the lounge for a game of bridge, attend a lecture about the places you’ll visit, or simply soak in the hot tub with the cocktail of the day — the choice is yours!
Travel to Casablanca, Morocco’s largest city
Today, you’ll venture to Casablanca, the city immortalized in the 1942 film of the same name. This is a city of contrasts that should be on every traveler’s must-see list.
Upon first arriving in Casablanca, you’ll be struck by its fascinating architecture. From the Art Deco style of the Cinéma Rialto and Gothic Église du Sacré-Couer to the traditionally Moroccan Hassan II Mosque and Brutalist Église Notre Dame de Lourdes, buildings of almost every architectural style sit side-by-side. You’ll have the opportunity to explore this diverse city for yourself on an included tour.
Later, get a true taste of Morocco with an included lunch of traditional tagine. Typically comprised of a rich mixture of spiced meat, poultry, or fish combined with vegetables or fruit, this savory stew has been a staple of North African cuisine for hundreds of years.
Following your tour, the remainder of the day is yours to spend at your leisure. The Ocean Odyssey will remain in port overnight.
Cultural Discovery
Get a true sense of Moroccan artistry in Casablanca
This morning, you’ll visit the Hassan II Mosque. Built by over 6,000 Moroccan artisans, this is the largest functioning mosque in Africa and 7th largest in the world. Constructed of hand-carved stone and wood, intricate marble flooring, and mosaic tilework, it is a true testament to Moroccan artistry. You’ll be granted entrance into the mosque to take in the full scope of its interior design. Following our time at the mosque, we’ll stop for lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the ship.
Get to know Tangier and enjoy an evening at leisure in Gibraltar
Situated at the entrance of the Strait of Gibraltar on the northernmost tip of Morocco, Tangier has been settled by the Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Arabs, Portuguese, British, French, and Spanish over thousands of years. It’s no wonder its nickname is the “City of Strangers”!
Today, you’ll set off on a walking tour of the medina, a maze of alleyways containing both businesses and private residences. Contained within the walls of Tangier’s 15th-century Portuguese fortress, the medina offers a glimpse into traditional daily life in this region.
You’ll return to the ship for lunch and an afternoon of scenic sailing as we make our way to Gibraltar. Upon arrival, you’ll have the evening at leisure in this British Territory.
Destination Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional excursion. Join us this evening for a hosted Gibraltar pub crawl — a true British delight! Learn more
Pubs — or public houses — are as much a part of traditional British life as Premiere League Football. Aside from being a place to drink, English pubs served an important social function as a place for the community to meet, converse, and play games. British-flavored Gibraltar is a great spot for pub-hopping! From the palest blonde ales and hoppy IPAs to rich malty porters and dark creamy stouts, you'll have an opportunity to sample different brews and find new — or old — favorites.
Due to high call volume, we recommend you visit MyPortfolio to book this Destination Enhancement. Don’t wait — these optional experiences are limited to a select number of guests and are selling out fast!
Get a taste of Britain at the tip of Spain
Gibraltar, also known as The Rock of Gibraltar, is steeped in history dating back approximately 100,000 years when the earliest humans inhabited its limestone caves. However, it remained mostly unsettled until AD 711 when the first Moors of Ṭāriq ibn Ziyād arrived. In fact, “Gibraltar” is a Spanish derivation of the Arabic Jabal Ṭāriq, which translates to “mountain of Ṭāriq.” Gibraltar’s position at the entrance to the Mediterranean made it a prized sight, and its people were subjected to many sieges from France, Spain, and Britain throughout the centuries that followed. It was finally captured by the British in the early 18th century and ceded to them under the 1713 Treaty of Utrecht. Today, Gibraltar’s multicultural society makes it one of the most unique and interesting places to visit in the Mediterranean. During today’s walking tour not only will you be able to visit some of Gibraltar’s most interesting highlights, you’ll also enjoy sweeping views of both the Strait of Gibraltar over Africa and the Bay of Algeciras. Keep your eyes peeled and cameras ready in case you catch a glimpse of the famed Barbary apes that live on the rock.
Destination Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional excursion. Set off on a full-day tour of Gibraltar’s significant sites, with refreshments included. Learn more
With a history spanning several millennia, Gibraltar is one of the most culturally rich places in the world. On this optional excursion, you’ll have an opportunity to visit The Rock, Gibraltar’s dominant and most famous geographic feature. You’ll also visit the Tunnels of Gibraltar, a series of manmade tunnels constructed by the British Army during World War II, under the direction of then British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Later, enjoy some tasty tapas (small plates) and drinks before returning to the ship.
Uncover the treasures of Seville
Today, you’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Seville, the storied capital of Andalusia. Stop at the University of Seville, whose main building is housed in the former Royal Tobacco Factory where Bizet set the famous opening scene of his opera Carmen. Founded in 1551, the university is one of Spain’s leading institutions of higher learning.
Next, you’ll see the Plaza de España, inarguably the most well-known public square in Seville. Constructed for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition, this is where you’ll find the famed Spanish Steps, as well as elegant fountains and tiled mosaics. Continuing on, you’ll view the exterior façade of the Plaza de Toros, Seville’s famed 18th-century bullring. You may also have an opportunity to step inside the Seville Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site most notable as the final resting place of King Ferdinand III of Castile and Christopher Columbus.
At the conclusion of your tour, you’ll have the remainder of the afternoon to continue exploring Seville at your leisure.
Explore Córdoba on a day trip
Located in the Andalusia region of southern Spain, the city of Córdoba was an important site during the time of the Roman empire, and a major Islamic center following the 8th-century Moorish conquest of Spain. At one time, the city boasted almost 300 mosques and palaces, said to rival those of Constantinople and Damascus. Today, you’ll embark on a day trip this UNESCO-listed city to take in all of its incredible historical sites.
Portimão, gateway to the vistas and villages of The Algarve
Cruise along Portugal’s scenic Algarve region this morning before mooring in Portimão, a former center of fishing and shipbuilding. In fact, well before the 11th-century Moorish occupation, Portimão’s early trading partners included the Greeks, Phoenicians, and Carthaginians. Modern day Portimão boasts an attractive riverfront running from the road bridge all the way to the city’s marina.
One of Portimão’s most historic sites is the Igreja da Nossa Senhora da Conceição. This 14th-century was devastated during the earthquake of 1755, and a new church was later built on the same site. The new church features the original Maueline doorway, one of the only pieces of the original church to have miraculously survived the earthquake. The immediate area also host several charming shops selling traditional lace, ceramics, handwoven baskets, and leather goods.
You’ll have a chance to take in the city’s sites for yourself during an included walking tour today.
Disembark the Ocean Odyssey and tour Lisbon
Say goodbye to the Ocean Odyssey today as the cruise portion of your journey comes to a close. You will board a private transfer to your hotel in Lisbon. Along the way, enjoy an included panoramic and walking tour of the Portuguese capital. You’ll explore the city’s famed monuments, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Belém Tower and the Jerónimos Monastery. The latter is inextricably tied to the country’s history of exploration, and it’s said that Vasco da Gama spent his last night here before sailing to the Far East (his tomb is in the monastery). Your tour culminates in a stop at the towering Monument to the Discoveries: a massive white-stone tribute to some of the world’s most intrepid sailors and explorers. While on your tour, sample pastéis de Belém, a traditional Portuguese custard pastry.
Cultural Discovery:
Lisbon at your leisure
You’ll have a full day at leisure to explore more of Lisbon on your own.
Visit the Arco da Rua Augusta, a triumphal arch made entirely of stone, and walk up to the top for unparalleled views of Commerce Square. Standing over 100 feet tall, it was constructed in the late 18th century to commemorate Lisbon’s reconstruction after the entire city was demolished by an earthquake in 1755. Perhaps you’ll make time to visit the Abbey of Alcobaça. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was founded in AD 1153 and is one of the greatest examples of early Portuguese Gothic architecture.
Lisbon is also a paradise for foodies. From traditional tascas to exceptional eateries, there is sure to be something to delight every palate. Fresh seafood is abundant here, from classic bacalhau (salted cod) — a Portuguese favorite — to octopus à lagareiro. Whether it’s a casual eatery or a Michelin-starred restaurant, there is no shortage of dining establishments in Lisbon. Your onboard Destination Manager can help with suggestions and reservations.
Destination Enhancement: Customize your journey when you add an optional excursion. Head out for a full day of exploration in UNESCO-listed Sintra and the fishing village of Cascais. Learn more
Embark on a coastal trek that begins at Lisbon’s ornate Queluz National Palace before exploring the town of Sintra, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its wealth of 19th-century Romantic architectural monuments. Your tour continues with a scenic drive along the coastline to the quiet fishing village of Cascais. Following a short walk, you can enjoy lunch on your own at one of the town’s many restaurants, all offering fresh regional specialties. Enjoy the picture-perfect scenery on your drive back to Lisbon.
Return home today
Today, you will head to the airport and board your return flight home. Or, continue on to your post-trip extension in Madeira.
Please Note: Ocean cruising is not the same experience as river cruising; as such, you may experience fluctuating tides and weather patterns that may involve some rocking of your vessel. Itineraries will include all activities as planned except in extreme cases that can’t be controlled by your shipboard crew. Day-by-day itineraries are preliminary and therefore subject to change. If changes occur while on tour, you will be notified by your Cruise Director or regional expert.
