Christmas Expedition Cruise to Cape Verde and the Bissagos Islands no solo supplement

Your adventure begins in Senegal's captivating capital

Welcome to Dakar, a captivating and colourful city, where your West African adventure begins. Visit Medina’s maze of streets, bustling Marché Tilène, and the imposing Grand Mosque.



If you want to explore more before your expedition cruise, an optional Pre-Programme is available, with an excursion to UNESCO site Gorée Island.



MS Spitsbergen will be waiting for you close to Dakar's ferry dock. Take time to settle into your cabin and meet your Expedition Team before we set sail – and don't forget to pick up your complimentary expedition jacket.

Get set for island adventures

Your expedition cruise heads west to the Cape Verde Islands, around 360 nautical miles. You'll have plenty of time to get to know your fellow adventurers and your Expedition Team – hand-picked for their expertise on our destinations. It's also a great time to enjoy the comforts on board your expedition ship – from delicious restaurant dishes or a drink in the Explorer Bar to relaxing in the panoramic sauna and the hot tubs up on deck.



To learn more about what's ahead, join us for fascinating lectures in the Science Center, and get tips from our professional photographer as you watch for marine life and sea birds.

Vibrant Praia bursts with African and European influences

Santiago embodies the spirit of the Cape Verde archipelago. There’s a little of everything – historical sites, bustling markets, lush valleys and craggy mountains. African culture is everywhere. Music follows wherever you go, from the Presidential Palace in Praia’s main square to the sandy beaches, and out to Maria Pia lighthouse. You can explore the area’s history in the museums and buildings around the Plateau, displaying a literal treasure trove of artefacts recovered from the islands’ shipwrecks. And visit the first European city established in the tropics: UNESCO-protected Cidade Velha.

A Christmas surrounded by stunning biodiversity

Boa Vista, the easternmost island of Cape Verde, is an unforgettable place to spend Christmas. Whether you’re relaxing on the peaceful sands, hiking in a nature reserve, or exploring the low-rise, palm-lined capital of Sal Rei, you’ll find a lot to enjoy.



Don’t be fooled by the island’s desert-like appearance – it offers many habitats for wildlife with reefs, dunes, oases and wetlands. Keep your eyes open for migratory birds, and if you're lucky, we might even spot humpback whales.



Enjoy seasonal celebrations on board the ship this evening, bringing everyone together in a relaxed, welcoming and joyful atmosphere.

Nature walks in an island wilderness

The spectacular mountains, canyons and gorges of Santo Antão make it an unforgettable place to spend the day, whether you celebrate Christmas or not. We’ll land in Porto Novo with its awe-inspiring views across to São Vicente.



You'll have the option to join a driving tour of the ridges and narrow canyons, known as ribeiras. Or you can join an optional nature walk along the island trails. You’ll pass mango and almond groves, and small villages filled with the aroma of coffee that the locals roast themselves.



The seasonal festivities and good cheer continue this evening on board the ship.

A fascinating landscape of lava, craters and calderas

Fogo means ‘fire’, and this active volcanic island lives up to its name. Centuries of eruptions – the last in 2014 – have left an incredible landscape that we plan to explore today.



You might visit São Filipe’s cobbled streets, the historic centre of Meia Laranja and more. Or join our optional excursion to the incredibly beautiful lava fields of Chã das Caldeiras. It's a challenging hike but worth it for the views.



With no natural harbours, we can only land if conditions allow us to launch our smaller expedition boats. If not, we’ll take in the spectacular volcanic scenery as we cruise around the island.

Prepare to experience the Bissagos Islands

We leave Cape Verde as our expedition cruise continues to Guinea-Bissau. As we sail, your Expedition Team will brief you on what lies ahead. You'll hear presentations about the extraordinary biodiversity of this tropical region.



You’ll learn about the culture too, like the matriarchal society of the Bijagos people, and the historical impact of Portuguese exploration and the slave trade.



You can take part in our Citizen Science projects and contribute data to important research. Now might be a good chance to brush up your photography skills with our onboard photographer in readiness for the sights to come.

Stunning ecosystems and wildlife in this UNESCO wonder

Declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1996, the Bissagos Islands are a wildlife watcher’s paradise. They support turtles, manatees, crocodiles and snakes, plus more than 500 types of bird.



Over the next four days, you'll explore Bissagos' maze of islands and channels. Renowned for their diverse ecosystems, we'll go into mangroves, rainforest, savannah woodlands and coastal lagoons. Our expedition boats will take us down the smaller channels, on shore landings with the Expedition Team, and perhaps out in sea kayaks.



You'll meet and discover more about the local Bijago people – a fiercely independent, matriarchal society organised in clans. Practising a subsistence lifestyle, they hold the natural world sacred, beliefs that have helped protect this area from exploitation.



Local conditions will determine when and where we can land and explore, but whatever we do you can be sure you’ll experience the rich diversity of the archipelago up close.

Explore the past and present history of tiny Banjul

Your West African expedition cruise reaches The Gambia and the tiny capital of Banjul. It may be bijou, but its location at the mouth of the River Gambia made it an important trading hub.



It also played a role in ending the slave trade, as its garrison was used by the British Navy to uphold Abolition Laws. Close by is the birthplace of Kunta Kinte, the protagonist of Alex Haley's famous book, Roots.



This city is easy to explore on foot. The National Museum houses Gambia’s best archaeological and ethnographical collections. Lively Albert Market is a great place to pick a souvenir, so treat yourself before we leave.

Your expedition ends in Senegal's bustling port city

We return to Dakar where you'll have another chance to experience this vibrant capital, known for its music and arts scene. After you disembark MS Spitsbergen, we'll take you on an included Dakar city tour to explore further.



Highlights include Independence Square, the African Renaissance Monument, the cathedral and the west and east Corniche. Listen out for the many languages of Western Africa, such as Wolof, Pular and Serer. A wonderful way to round off your trip.



With the tour complete, you’ll be taken to a hotel for lunch. You'll spend the rest of the day relaxing in comfort at the hotel, before being taken to the airport to start your return journey home.