| Cruise Line |
Crystal Cruises |
| Ship |
Crystal Symphony |
| Destination |
EU West & Atlantic Islands |
| Nights |
22 |
| Departure Date |
22 Mar 2021 |
| Description |
22 Night Cruise sailing from Cape Town to Lisbon onboard Crystal Symphony.
From wild adventures in Cape Town and Namibia, venture off the beaten path to Saint Helena, frequented more by dolphins and whale sharks than humans, the impressive volcanic landscapes of Cape Verde and Santa Cruz de la Palma.
Highlights of this cruise:
Cape Town, South Africa
With majestic Table Mountain as a backdrop, Cape Town occupies one of the most dramatic locations in the world. Its eclectic mix of architectural styles reflects the tastes and dictates of the past, in tandem with the 20th century's more functional demands. Edwardian and Victorian buildings have been meticulously preserved and there are several outstanding examples of Cape Dutch architecture. Cobble-stoned streets, mosques and the flat-roofed pastel houses of the Malay Quarter showcase the city's cosmopolitan ambiance. Nearby, images of seafaring activities from the 1800s are evoked at the recently-restored Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. Magnificent Cape Town is justifiably famous as the "Mother City" of South Africa.
Luderitz, Namibia
Much of L—deritz’s architecture would be at right at home in the Black Forest of Germany, and it is no wonder: This region became a German protectorate in 1884 and remained a German colony until the end of World War I. Replace the Rhine River with the Atlantic Ocean and coniferous forests with an arid landscape and you have a bit of Deutschland in Africa, a fascinating, charming and beguiling mix of wild west and European gentility. Situated on a hill overlooking the town is a steepled church, Felsenkirche, while the historic center of L—deritz features a fine array of German imperial and art nouveau buildings. This being the African continent, interesting wildlife abounds. The coast and small rocky islands off its shores are an official Important Bird Area, hosting significant populations of Cape gannets, African penguins and crowned cormorants.
Walvis Bay, Namibia
The busy industrial town of Walvis Bay lies at the dramatic juxtaposition of ocean and desert. Its development began in 1878, when Commander Richard C. Dryer took possession of the port and settlement in Queen Victoria's name.
In March 1994, following extensive negotiations with the Republic of South Africa, Walvis Bay and its offshore islands were incorporated into the Republic of Namibia.
Highlights of Walvis Bay include an impressive Civic Center and the Rhenish Mission Church, which was build in Hamburg in 1880 before being dismantled and shipped to these shores.
Our visit to Namibia provides rare insight into one of Southwest Africa's most fascinating regions.
St. Helena
This ancient volcanic island is set in the tropical South Atlantic approximately 1,500 miles northwest of Cape Town. St. Helena became a British dependency in 1834 and still retains its 19th-century values. It is imbued with nearly 300 years of colonial history that manifests itself in the architecture and ambience of Jamestown. St. Helena was discovered on May 21, 1502 by Portuguese Admiral Joao da Nova on his return voyage from India, which was the anniversary of St. Helena mother of Emperor Constantine. The island soon became a haven for sea travelers because of its luxuriant vegetation, equable climate and wealth of fruit trees. St. Helena is small yet beautiful. It is an island of contrasts, from wind eroded deserts with multi-colored ridges and valleys, to emerald hillsides, soft pastures and lush vegetation-filled valleys. It has a magnificent bronze coastline with cliffs that have been carved over the centuries by the pounding Atlantic rollers. The island offers a unique Napoleonic museum as well as interesting endemics, both flora and fauna. St. Helena contains several unique species of flowering plants, ferns and flora that can only be found on the island. St. Helena is a refuge far from the madding crowd, a place with warm and friendly people and an island where heritage and nature live in harmony.
Georgetown, Ascension Island
If you have ever wanted to truly find yourself out in the middle of nowhere, then you have arrived. Ascension Island, part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, is located about midway between the west coast of Africa and the horn of Brazil. Ascension’s “neighbor†island, Saint Helena, is 800 miles to the southeast—about the distance between Los Angeles, California and El Paso, Texas. The archipelago of Tristan da Cunha is even farther, another 1,529 miles to the south. In other words, these far-flung islands are distant not just from any continent, but from each other.
For such a remote locale, and perhaps because of it, Ascension Island (named for its discovery by the Portuguese on Ascension Day, 1503) has played a central role in history. A British military base was established at Georgetown (named after Britain’s King George) in 1816. During World War II, the United States monitored South Atlantic sea lanes from a purpose-built airstrip. Great Britain reprised its military strength during the Falklands War of 1982, using the island to import and disperse supplies. Some military structures remain on the island, while other sights are more of a natural wonder. Lava caves, beach-nesting green turtles, an abundance of seabirds, the lush realm of Green Mountain and the golden sands of the coast make for memorable outings and compelling photographs.
Dakar, Senegal
This French-influenced city known as “West Africa’s Window to the Western World— is situated at the mouth of a river that stems from Africa’s inner regions. A modern city, Dakar’s streets are lined with elegant colonial-styled buildings, colorful markets, and excellent art galleries. Goree Island, the former primary assembly point for slave shipments to the New World is a mere ferry ride away. A closer look into the House of Slaves provides a window into the tumultuous past of this country, and brings a deeper understanding of this culturally diverse city.
Porto Novo, Cape Verde Islands
With towering peaks, agricultural terraces and palm trees swaying against a backdrop of verdant fields, the island of Santo Antão at first glance resembles Southeast Asia or perhaps mountainous Peru. But look closer. Discovered and colonized by the Portuguese, the island—part of the 10-island country of Cape Verde—has European roots, and a claim as the first European outpost in the tropics. Look even closer and you will observe a split topographical personality: The northern side of the island is lush with exotic vegetation; the southern side is arid and windy. A spine of mountains runs east to west, dividing the island into its green north and dry south. Situated on the south side of this dichotomy is your port of call, Porto Novo, Santo Antão’s second-largest town. Wander along its unassuming main street to see the harbor, old mansions, a small church and markets selling fresh fish and goat cheese. Adventurers may aim their gaze—and take their feet—farther afield to appreciate recent investments in rural tourism, offering such options as trekking and cultural experiences.
Santa Cruz de la Palma, Spain
Santa Cruz de la Palma hugs the east coast of the island of La Palma, part of the Canary Islands, a Spanish-held archipelago wrought from volcanic activity. Add together all those locational and cultural features – an island, Spanish, volcanic – and you get a marvelous place to explore and embrace. The old town showcases a Caribbean feel and color palette, with its distinctly balconied buildings painted in hues of blue, green, orange and burgundy. Cobbled streets lead to a marketplace where equally colorful products are sold, including mangoes, papayas, passion fruit and sugar cane. In fact, sugar once was the high-calorie energy source for the local economy. Today, bananas are the main export, along with memories gathered by visitors who happily investigate the city’s historic lanes.
Lisbon, Portugal
Cosmopolitan Lisbon was the center of the world's last great colonial empire. Today the city nostalgically reveres its imperial past while adapting to Portugal's role as a member of the European Economic Community. Although located on the Atlantic coast, Lisbon has the soul of a Mediterranean city with Moorish castles, pastel and white buildings, orange-tiled roofs and luminous blue skies. Set amid the hills and valleys of the northern shore of the River Tagus, it is one of the loveliest capitals in the world.
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| Itinerary |
Cruise Itinerary
| Day | Date | Activity | Arrive | Depart |
|---|
| 1 |
22/03 |
Cape Town, South Africa |
|
overnight |
| 2 |
23/03 |
Cape Town, South Africa |
|
06:00 PM |
| 3 |
24/03 |
At sea |
|
|
| 4 |
25/03 |
Luederitz, Southern Namibia |
07:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
| 5 |
26/03 |
Walvis Bay, Namibia |
08:00 AM |
11:00 PM |
| 6 |
27/03 |
At sea |
|
|
| 7 |
28/03 |
At sea |
|
|
| 8 |
29/03 |
At sea |
|
|
| 9 |
30/03 |
St Helena, United Kingdom |
07:00 AM |
03:00 PM |
| 10 |
31/03 |
At sea |
|
|
| 11 |
01/04 |
Ascension Island, United Kingdom |
08:00 AM |
06:00 PM |
| 12 |
02/04 |
At sea |
|
|
| 13 |
03/04 |
At sea |
|
|
| 14 |
04/04 |
At sea |
|
|
| 15 |
05/04 |
Dakar, Senegal |
07:00 AM |
11:00 PM |
| 16 |
06/04 |
At sea |
|
|
| 17 |
07/04 |
Porto Novo |
07:00 AM |
06:00 PM |
| 18 |
08/04 |
At sea |
|
|
| 19 |
09/04 |
At sea |
|
|
| 20 |
10/04 |
Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands |
07:00 AM |
05:00 PM |
| 21 |
11/04 |
At sea |
|
|
| 22 |
12/04 |
Lisbon, Portugal |
09:00 AM |
overnight |
| 23 |
13/04 |
Lisbon, Portugal |
|
|
|
All itineraries and ports of call at the discretion of the cruise line subject to local weather conditions and may change without notice.
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