The Sands of Time: Canary Islands to Lisbon Cruise

Welcome to Las Palmas, the sun-drenched heart of Gran Canaria, where colonial charm meets golden shores and Atlantic breezes. On arrival at Gran Canaria Airport, make your way to the arrivals hall to meet a ship representative, followed by a transfer to the group hotel. At the hotel, visit the hospitality desk in the lobby to meet your team who will provide you with useful information regarding pre-embarkation procedures and about your time in Las Palmas. You will also receive cabin tags for your luggage. Please clearly label the tags with your name and your cabin number on the ship. Join this evening for a welcome event to celebrate the start of your journey.

Known as the ‘miniature continent,’ Gran Canaria is celebrated for its striking contrasts. The island offers a variety of landscapes, from beaches framed by dunes to peaks covered in Canary Island pine forests, whose greenery stands out against the dark volcanic earth. Las Palmas, the capital, combines historical architecture with modern attractions, featuring bustling markets and urban beaches.

There’s time to explore Las Palmas this morning before you set off on a scenic drive that reveals more of Gran Canaria’s vibrant eastern side. As you travel through traditional towns and coastal stretches, we’ll see a blend of heritage, natural beauty and everyday island life, while passing banana plantations and aloe vera farms provides a glimpse into the island’s pastural economy.

Inland, archaeological sites and rugged volcanic landscapes hint at Gran Canaria’s ancient past, while bustling town centers reflect its modern rhythm. Each small town offers something unique, whether it’s a quiet chapel, a leafy plaza, a shaded reading park, or palm-lined streets made for wandering. Spend time in Agüimes, where colorful houses and striking bronze sculptures bring local stories and folklore vividly to life. It’s a town full of character, perfect for exploring on foot, with inviting cafés, small galleries and corners that feel like open-air storytelling.

Your route blends the character of the modern Canary Islands with the enduring charm of its past, before circling back to Las Palmas, where you’ll board your ship.

This evening, join your fellow travelers for an onboard welcome dinner, where your host will introduce you to the voyage ahead and raise a toast to the adventures to come.

While the Canary Islands are famed for their resorts and sun-soaked beaches, they offer much more than typical package holidays. The eight volcanic islands that make up the archipelago, are under Spanish jurisdiction but historically linked to Africa, and have a complex history that includes the early slave trade. Today, the islands stand as a testament to resilience and cultural diversity, blending influences from Spanish settlers and indigenous Guanches.

Today, explore Lanzarote, the northernmost Canary Island, known as ‘Volcano Island,’ for its dramatic volcanic terrain. Lanzarote’s volcanic landscape includes expansive lava fields and uniquely shaped rocks set against a backdrop of black and red soil that vividly contrasts with traditional whitewashed houses.

Today’s ‘Your Choice’ morning experiences offer a chance to discover this diverse landscape, from dramatic mountains and golden beaches to lush palm groves and dunes, highlighting the island’s exceptional natural beauty, followed by a chance to explore Arrecife independently. This afternoon, enjoy a complimentary shuttle service between the port and town, with the ship sailing late afternoon towards Africa.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences. You can choose from a selection of morning shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). Choose a Day at the Beach – Puerto del Carmen to experience the vibrant Puerto del Carmen, a former fishing village transformed into a top beach resort. Relax on Playa Grande, swim in the calm waters, and enjoy the amenities offered at this popular destination. Or choose Haria, the Valley of 1,000 Palm Trees and Le Geria Wine Tasting to experience Lanzarote’s winemaking heritage with a wine tasting in La Geria, featuring local varieties. Explore the charming town of Haría and enjoy panoramic views from the Mirador de Haría. Or choose Timanfaya National Park to experience the otherworldly landscapes of Timanfaya National Park, shaped by volcanic eruptions. Witness geothermal demonstrations and explore the park’s vibrant colors and unique formations.

Your voyage from Arrecife to the Moroccan coast offers a relaxing interlude during which the host will introduce you to the fascinating cultures and histories of the destinations ahead, through engaging presentations.

A day at sea affords you the opportunity to explore the ship’s amenities. Whether you choose to invigorate yourself in the gym, relax in the library, delight in a dip in the pool, or enjoy panoramic views from the observation lounge, there is something for everyone to enjoy. As you approach the Moroccan coast, the scenery transforms as the vibrant hues of the Moroccan landscape come into view, promising an array of experiences that blend the exotic with the familiar.

After breakfast on board, disembark the ship at the seaside town of Agadir and begin the 3-hour journey to Marrakech, where you meet the born-and-bred Moroccan guides whose passion for their homeland is infectious. Located at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is an eclectic mix of centuries-old architectural styles. The fabled ochre city was founded over 1,000 years ago during the Almoravid dynasty and still beats to an age-old rhythm. Famed for its outstanding artisanship, the city has boomed as one of Africa’s key hubs for contemporary art, architecture and design.

Arrive in time to enjoy lunch at a popular local restaurant, before visiting one of its architectural wonders. Built in the late 19th century for Grand Vizier Si Moussa, the Bahia Palace was designed to showcase the finest craftsmanship of the time. Its name, meaning “brilliance,” is reflected in the intricate zellij mosaics, carved cedar ceilings and graceful arches that line its courtyards. Light filters through stained glass windows, casting patterns across tiled floors, while orange trees and fountains lend a sense of calm to the open spaces, making it an ideal introduction to Marrakech.

Check-in to the group hotel and enjoy some free time in the afternoon, before gathering for some Moroccan fare and entertainment this evening.

After breakfast, join your local guides for your chosen ‘Your Choice’ experience exploring the city’s main attractions, followed by a lunch inspired by the vibrant flavors of Marrakech. Afterwards, transfer by road to Casablanca, where you’ll reboard the ship and set sail north to Tangier.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences. You can choose from a selection of morning shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). Choose Introducing Marrakech for a brief walking tour of the famous medina and its shops with time to browse independently after. Opt for Meet Me in the Medina for a locally guided, in-depth walking tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, including the Koutoubia Mosque and Djemâa el Fna Square. Or select the Yves Saint Laurent and the Majorelle Gardens excursion to explore the Majorelle Gardens’ Berber Museum, for the designer’s private collection and the location of his scattered ashes, followed by time at the nearby Yves Saint Laurent Museum.

Arrive this morning at a city located at the crossroads of Africa and Europe: Tangier. Spend the day in Tangier or head east to the emerging artisan enclave of Tétouan. Unique amongst Moroccan cities, Tangier has a checkered past, affording you one of Europe’s most egocentric stories. Designated an ‘International Zone’ in the early 20th century, Tangier harbored no drug laws, no taxes, no banking restrictions, no censorship laws and no morality laws. Attracting a worldly mix of expat residents, it played house to everyone from eccentric British nobility to American authors, Franco’s civil war army to Nazi spies, while it awaited its inclusion in the post-war nation of Morocco. Stories of elicit affairs, underworld deals and espionage abound in this city which remains as colorful as its history suggests.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences. You can choose from a selection of afternoon shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). In the morning visit the Tangier Kasbah District, Kasbah Museum and American Legation Museum and explore the historic Kasbah of Tangier, including the Grand Socco, a legendary gathering place for artists and intellectuals. Visit the American Legation, the first American public property outside the United States. Or select A Taste of Tangier for a foodie tour through the historic M’sallah and the old town district, tasting local delights like caliente, stuffed dates and bissara.

In the early afternoon, sail north, crossing the Straits of Gibraltar en route to their namesake.

Although very much a modern-day city, the apartment blocks and expat clubs of Málaga and the Costa del Sol hide an undercurrent of ancient traditions. Long before beach bars and resorts, this coastline was part of Al-Andalus, ruled by the Moors for nearly eight centuries. Their legacy runs deep, visible in the arches of the Alcazaba, the layout of the old town, and the way the city seemingly harbors something older beneath its surface, steady and enduring.

Today’s ‘Your Choice’ experiences range from an introduction to Málaga’s magical sites, to a visit to the Moorish enclave of Ronda. A complimentary shuttle service will operate between the ship and the city center throughout the day, allowing you to explore Malaga at leisure or return to the town after lunch on board.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences. You can choose from a selection of morning or half-day shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). On the morning Magical Málaga scenic drive (with photo stops and minimal walking), admire  the grand neo-Baroque Town Hall, views of the Castillo de Gibralfaro and the majestic Catedral de Málaga, followed by optional free time after. Or choose the half-day The Moorish Enclave of Ronda to visit Andalusia’s whitewashed town and its former gateway, La Mina de Agua.

In the wake of centuries of maritime vessels, you sail into the Port of Gibraltar early morning. More than just an array of Royal Mail red pillar post boxes, fish and chip shops and corner pubs, Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory and naval stronghold, strategically located at the base of the Iberian Peninsula. Caught up in the legacy of the War of the Spanish Succession, it became embroiled in European politics when the King of Spain died without an heir. Thirteen years later, Sir George Rooke, an English naval commander, captured it for England’s King George I, and Gibraltar has remained a British territory ever since. Three hundred years of swashbuckling pirates, fierce naval battles, yellow fever outbreaks and world wars tell a tale of this tiny slice of Britain, simply known by those who live here as ‘The Rock.’

Today’s quintessential British ‘Your Choice’ experiences showcase the Rock’s rich history, iconic mascots and breathtaking views across the Straits of Gibraltar. At the end of your tour, return to the ship for lunch, with views of ‘The Rock’ from the deck. Join your complimentary afternoon shuttle to explore Gibraltar further. Shop at Marks & Spencer, relax with a pint at a corner pub or send a postcard home from one of Gibraltar’s iconic red pillar boxes, with each activity offering a delightful touch of British charm.

You can choose from a selection of morning shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). Choose Highlights of ‘The Rock’ to experience a captivating blend of nature and technology with a modern twist on a natural wonder. Or choose the Great Siege of Gibraltar to experience the dramatic story of the Great Siege of Gibraltar, where British forces heroically defended the fortress against Spanish and French forces for years. Explore the Great Siege Tunnels and learn about the challenges faced by the defenders.

This morning, cruise the Guadalquivir River, expertly guided by your Spanish pilot, arriving in Seville, Spain’s most iconic southern city. Enjoy lunch on board with the skyline of Seville as your backdrop, before joining a ‘Your Choice’ experience. The Guadalquivir has been a central part of Seville’s history and a launchpad for significant voyages. From its banks, explorers like Ferdinand Magellan embarked on their landmark journeys, including Magellan’s famous 1519 expedition to circumnavigate the globe. The river was also crucial for trade, linking Seville with distant lands and shaping global commerce.

In the 8th century, the Moors—a diverse brotherhood of Arabs, Berbers and North Africans—arrived on the Iberian Peninsula and, like a child leaving home, remained away from their homelands for nearly 700 years. They brought with them a spirit of tolerance, coexisting peacefully with Christian and Jewish communities while ruling over the land through small kingdoms characterized by castle-topped villages and fortified cities. Their remarkable contributions in mathematics, astronomy and Moorish architecture left a lasting mark on Europe.

Choose between two locally guided tours of Seville for an unforgettable experience, before we sail the river mid-evening, following its path to the coast, where it meets the sea at Cadiz. (Note: as Seville is a piloted port, your arrival time will not be confirmed until closer to your date of arrival, therefore the times of the excursions may need to be adjusted.)

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences. You can choose from a selection of afternoon shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). Select Introducing Seville for a coach bus tour of Seville’s iconic sights, including the 13th-century Gold Tower, the lively neighborhood of Triana, the striking Alamillo Bridge and the beautiful Plaza de España, with optional free time after. Or choose Walking the Heart of Seville to explore Seville’s rich history, visiting the Alcázar palace, the Seville Cathedral with Christopher Columbus’s tomb, and the iconic Giralda tower. Wander through the charming Barrio Santa Cruz and admire the city’s stunning architecture.

The proud city of Cádiz sits at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River. As the gateway to the Mediterranean, Cádiz is touted as the oldest continuously inhabited settlement in Europe, with its dominant families claiming ancestry dating back to Roman times, when the city was called Ceret, and the wine, Vinum Ceretensis. Moorish rule over the port, which was renamed Jazīrat Qādis, lasted for 500 years, with the capture of Cádiz by Alfonso X of Castile. Its renewed prosperity dated from the discovery of America in 1492, when it became the headquarters of the Spanish treasure fleets, and the port to nearby Jerez, which produced liquid gold.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences. You can choose from a selection of morning or midday shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). In the morning, choose Jerez–More Than a Simple Sherry to explore Jerez, a city with a rich history shaped by wine production. Visit the Alcázar and learn about the region’s past. Enjoy a wine tasting with a local expert. Also in the morning, The Andalusian Enclave of Vejer de le Frontera offers an experience in an iconic whitewashed, hilltop town, with views of the ancient Moorish Castle, the majestic Church of the Divine Savior and the vibrant Plaza España, all while uncovering tales of Moorish conquerors, Castilian kings and feudal uprisings. For a midday option, experience Historic Cadiz on the Tapas Trail for a locally guided tapas tour with tavern after tavern of local delicacies among whitewashed lanes, sunny plazas, baroque churches and 18th-century merchant houses.

Set on the estuary of the Rio Arade, Portimão was a flourishing fishing village until only 30 years ago. Greeks, Phoenicians and Carthaginians all plied their trade but in the 11th century the Moors arrived, and Burj Munt as it became known, never looked back. A gateway to the fortified town of Silves and neighbor to a coast of classic caved beaches, Portimão fishes for a different catch these days, with its marina home to a flotilla of gently bobbing yachts, and riverfront promenade host to casual cafes and bars.

Today’s Your Choice’ experiences offer three distinct ways to explore the region. Choose a visit to the nearby hilltop town of Silves, accompanied by a Portuguese pottery demonstration or winery visit and tasting. Alternatively, take in sweeping coastal views on a panoramic drive, accompanied by a stroll along a section of the Caminho dos Promontórios, for a magical morning on the Algarve.

Return  to the ship for lunch, after which you may wish to explore the shops, bars and cafés of Portimão at your own pace, before you sail for Portugal’s capital city, Lisbon, late-afternoon.

Personalize your exploration with the included ‘Your Choice’ experiences. You can choose from a selection of morning shore excursion options that best suits your interests and level of fitness (ask your Adventure Specialist for details). Choose Silves Castle and Portuguese Wine Tasting to explore the historic Castelo de Silves and learn about the town’s Moorish past, followed by a drive to Quinta dos Vales estate for a Portuguese wine tasting with local delicacies. Or choose Silves Castle and Portuguese Pottery for a demonstration of Portuguese ceramics with a local artisan. Learn pottery techniques and tour the historic Castelo de Silves. Enjoy free time to explore Portimão. Or select Ferragudo and the Path of the Headlands to experience a traditional fishing village and walk its scenic clifftop trail (for 1 mile, 1.5km) along promontories, recessed beaches and secluded inlets, learning about the region’s unique geology.

Lisbon, set along the broad waters of the River Tagus, became the launch point for Portugal’s Golden Age of Exploration. From this historic harbor, famed navigators like Vasco da Gama and Magellan sailed to chart new worlds, opening vital trade routes and bringing immense wealth to their homeland. That prosperity left its mark on the city through grand baroque buildings, ornate churches and tiled pavements. But Lisbon’s story is also one of resilience. In 1755 a powerful earthquake, followed by tsunamis and fire, destroyed most of the city. What rose from the ruins is the Lisbon you see today, with graceful boulevards, elegant facades and a vibrant waterfront that still echoes its maritime past.

Bid your ship farewell. Today’s locally guided tour visits Belém, where the city’s seafaring legacy is on full display. You’ll view the Monastery of Jerónimos, the striking Monument to the Discoveries, which honors Prince Henry the Navigator and his explorers, and the iconic Torre de Belém, a fortress that once guarded the entrance to the city for returning ships. Enjoy some free time in Lisbon’s charming city center, perfect for wandering cobbled streets, traveling on one of its quirky trams, sampling local flavors, or simply soaking in the riverside views, before you transfer to your hotel for a final night in Portugal.

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight.