NATURE & WILDLIFE

Our Journey Planners have been working hard to seek out new opportunities for you to experience fascinating nature and wildlife in our new programme of itineraries. Here are just a few of the cruises that allow you to spot whales, birds, butterflies and other fauna, as well as breathtaking natural phenomenon, such as the northern lights.

White stork migrating across the Strait of Gibraltar

VOLCANIC ISLANDS & HIDDEN GEMS OF PORTUGAL SPAIN, PORTUGAL & THE SPECTACULAR BIRD MIGRATION

6th July 2024 Sail from Liverpool

13 nights BOLETTE Cruise code T2416

Our team has planned this cruise to showcase Portugal’s diverse landscapes, marine life and maritime culture • Ponta Delgada is your gateway to uncovering the Sete Cidades crater lakes, while Praia da Vitória is well placed for tours to UNESCOlisted Angra do Heroísmo • You can search for whales from Bolette with the help of wildlife charity ORCA and cruise past the likes of the Cabo Girão sea cliff and historic Belém Tower • Some of the world’s most famous explorers departed from Lisbon during the Age of Discovery. The capital’s fascinating past can be explored at sites such as the Maritime Museum and Jerónimos Monastery

Sail from £1,999pp, plus your choice of Free Door-to-Door Transfers or £200pp Spend

1st September 2024 Sail from Liverpool

11 nights BOLETTE | Cruise code T2420

Our team has planned this cruise to coincide with the bird migration across the Strait of Gibraltar, an incredible natural phenomenon that sees large numbers of birds, including storks, kites and eagles, making the journey south • Other fascinating wildlife you may encounter on your cruise includes Gibraltar’s resident apes, and marine life seen from the comfort of Bolette • Visits to Spain and Portugal present chances to delve into maritime history. You can also immerse yourself in local traditions, from tasting authentic treats of the region in their place of origin, such as pastéis de nata in Lisbon and port wine in Oporto, to learning flamenco with a local bailaora (flamenco dancer) in Cádiz

Sail from £1,599pp, plus £150pp Spend

SPRING FALLS, GLACIERS & NORWEGIAN FJORDS

We have designed this cruise to showcase the highlights of the fjords in spring, when nature awakens and the waterfalls are at their strongest due to melting mountain ice • Balmoral will divert away from the direct routes to show you the sprawling Fureberg Waterfall. There will also be chances to see the Langfoss and Vøringfoss waterfalls ashore • You can delve into Norway’s Viking heritage. The site of Haugesund’s national monument is said to be the burial place of King Harald Fairhair, while the islands of Giske – the birthplace of chief Rollo – and Godøy can be visited on a tour from Ålesund • In Olden, you can hike to the Briksdal Glacier accompanied by a knowledgeable local geologist

Sail from £1,099pp, plus £100pp Spend

WILDLIFE & TRADITIONS OF THE SCOTTISH ISLES

4th July 2024 | Sail from Rosyth 8 nights | BALMORAL Cruise code L2420

Enjoy some of Scotland’s wildest and most scenic island landscapes, which provide a haven for wildlife and boast a long and fascinating history • Balmoral will divert away from the main coastal routes to take you past a host of remarkable sights, from the Small Isles archipelago to the basalt columns of Fingal’s Cave • You can enjoy birdwatching as you sail past Sumburgh Head and RSPB Troup Head, and search for whales from your ship with the help of wildlife charity ORCA • Ashore you can marvel at the Isle of Skye’s scenery, including the Old Man of Storr; learn about Shetland’s local farming traditions; visit the Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae in Orkney; and discover Harris’s Gaelic culture

Sail from £1,299pp, plus £100pp Spend

In Search Of The Northern Lights Exploring Iceland In Eight Nights

7th December 2024 Sail from Portsmouth

14 nights BOREALIS Cruise code S2427

On this two-week cruise to Northern Norway, you may be lucky enough to see the dancing lights of the Aurora Borealis illuminate the night sky while cruising in the Arctic Ocean and ashore during extended stays in Tromsø and Alta • After visiting Ålesund and sailing past Torghatten, a mountain with a hole through its centre, you can experience the maritime tradition of crossing the Arctic Circle • Enjoy an overnight stay in the ‘Gateway to the Arctic’, Tromsø, before heading to Alta, ideal for husky sledding tours and spending time with local Sámi people to learn about their way of life • Elsewhere, you will have the chance to explore the rugged Vesterålen archipelago and the historic city of Bergen

Sail from £1,899pp, plus your choice of Free Door-to-Door Transfers or £200pp Spend

14th May 2025 Sail from Newcastle 8 nights BOREALIS Cruise code S2513

Our team has crafted this cruise to showcase Iceland’s volcanic landscapes, geothermal activity and fascinating culture while also timing your visit to offer the best chance of seeing some incredible wildlife – all in a shorter-than-usual duration • Venturing to Ísafjörður presents an opportunity to discover the way of life in one of Iceland’s most remote regions • Spurting geysers, thundering waterfalls and puffins are yours to admire from Reykjavík, while Akureyri is well-placed for visiting the mighty Goðafoss Waterfall or whale-watching • You can also search for marine life from Borealis with the help of wildlife charity ORCA, especially while cruising Eyjafjörður, a haven for cetaceans and birds

Sail from £1,299pp, plus £100pp Spend