Cruise South to the Sun

Casablanca, Morocco

Take advantage of the ships’ outside deck space and leisure areas on some exciting departures that take in the warmer climes of Southern Europe and North Africa, head to the sun-kissed isles of the North Atlantic, and, on two Grand Voyages in autumn 2022 and springtime 2023, explore some of the Mediterranean’s most colourful corners.

Two winter-warming cruises sail south to Spain and Portugal before heading into the Atlantic, taking in the floral glories of Garden Isle Madeira, the sun-kissed beaches of the Canary Isles and the colour and excitement of Morocco – with the volcanic Cape Verde isles added to the 2023 sailing. Two month-long voyages of discovery see Ambience sail through the Straits of Gibraltar into the Mediterranean, calling twice in fascinating Sicily en route to Istanbul and the Black Sea. Discover historic ports in Bulgaria and Romania, before more treasures of antiquity are revealed in Athens and extraordinary Alexandria. Visits to wineproducing Limassol, in Cyprus, to Haifa – for timeless Jerusalem - and Gibraltar, which provides an early taste of home, complete these special cruises..

Selected Ports of Call

Cherbourg, France

The great French port of Cherbourg is gateway to the Normandy countryside, and to the famed beaches of 1944’s D-Day Landings. Perhaps explore the D-Day Museum at Arromanches, overlooking the last few remains of the famous ‘Mulberry Harbour’, or head to picturebook Bayeux, where the famous Tapestry chronicles an earlier, very different invasion. Le Verdon for Bordeaux, France

Le Verdon, at the mouth of the Gironde, is gateway to beautiful Bordeaux, its glorious 18th-century heart with its mansions and ‘Beaux-Arts’ museums once described by HM The Queen as “the essence of elegance”. Visit the city or its surrounding world-famous vineyards, on a choice of fascinating shore excursions. Vigo, Spain

Magnificent Vigo, in its stunning natural setting on the shore of a fjord, is gateway to the Galician coast and ‘Green Spain’. Take in the view of the vast natural harbour from above the town, perhaps visit the bustling fish market, or perhaps join an optional shore excursion to fabled Santiago de Compostela. Leixoes, Portugal for Porto

This Portuguese port gives you the chance to step ashore, perhaps to join an excursion to the historic city of Porto, in its picture-postcard setting on the River Douro. Lisbon, Portugal

The ‘Gateway to the New Worlds’ stands on the River Tagus, down which the great explorers sailed during the Age of Exploration. A shore excursion will introduce the Portuguese capital, where the maze of narrow, hilly streets of the Alfamar district bustle with colourful life.

Bordeaux, France Lisbon, Portugal

Gibraltar Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain

Cádiz, Spain

Ancient Cádiz, where Drake daringly sacked the original Spanish Armada, is a fascinating place, with its elegant squares, great Cathedral and wonderful Botanical Garden. Join an excursion to ‘City of Flamenco’ Seville – one of Southern Spain’s most sparkling jewels. La Coruna, Spain

This great port, from where the ill-fated Spanish Armada once set sail, boasts an atmospheric medieval quarter and extensive seafront promenade. Perhaps take an optional shore excursion to glorious Santiago de Compostela, where the monumental Romanesque cathedral was perhaps the world’s first-ever tourist destination, at the end of the fabled ‘Camino’. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain

This gateway to the Canaries’ largest island brings opportunities to do everything from swimming in warm waters to throwing snowballs on the slopes of Spain’s highest peak, Mt Teide, to enjoying the glitz of the city’s shopping malls or wandering some stunning gardens. Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, Spain

The Canaries’ largest trading port is gateway to fascinating Gran Canaria. Explore bustling Puerto de la Luz, or head to the old town, with its cathedral and palm-fringed squares. Take an optional shore excursion into the island interior, which rises to the height of nearly 2000 metres, with superb views all round. Palma, Mallorca

Gateway to the Mediterranean’s most famous ‘holiday isle’, majestic Palma, with its glorious cathedral, colourful old town and sweeping beaches, is a perfect sun-kissed port of call. Excursions might include the beautiful Tramuntana mountains or the historic train ride through stunning scenery to Soller. Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Some 500 miles off the coast of Africa, Madeira is one of the world’s most beautiful islands. The capital, Funchal, is a perfect, relaxing, captivating port of call. Don’t miss the Botanical Gardens, or the exhilaration of a wickerwork ‘toboggan’ ride from Monte to Livramento! Gibraltar

The very British outpost of Gibraltar sits beneath the mighty Rock marking the point where the Mediterranean spills out into the Atlantic Ocean. Wander along bustling Main Street, with its familiar shops and stores, or take the cable car to the heights above for spectacular views. Casablanca, Morocco

Romantic, fabled Casablanca, renowned for its connections with the celebrated movie, is today a world away from Humphrey Bogart’s sleepy town. Startlingly modern but retaining its sense of the past in shopping, and the fascination of the gigantic Hassan II Mosque.