Cruising from Morocco to Spain's Andalusian Coast

Central Morocco: Marrakech & the Atlas Mountains — 4 Days, 3 Nights

The itinerary below applies to the current year and serves as a sample for future voyages. Extension details for future departures will be posted as soon as they are available, and all booked travelers will be notified via email.

With origins as a crossroads on the ancient caravan routes to and from Timbuktu, Marrakech has long been at the center of Moroccan commerce and culture. Part Berber, part Arab, part African, Marrakech is where the disparate elements of Morocco's past mingle with one another in a fascinating space where the exquisitely refined palaces of wealthy princes sit alongside the huts of snake charmers and musicians who ply their trades in the open air of the city's streets.

Day 1 — Marrakech, Morocco

Arrive at Marrakech Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the Sofitel Marrakech Lounge & Spa, your home for the next three nights. Check-in time is 3:00 p.m. A local representative will be present at the hospitality desk in the afternoon to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. The afternoon is yours to settle in and rest before you join fellow travelers for a welcome cocktail reception this evening. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.

The Sofitel Marrakech Lounge & Spa

Day 2 — Marrakech

Today, immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Marrakech with a guided exploration of the city’s historic and artistic highlights. Your first stop is the emblematic Koutoubia Mosque, which dominates the skyline. Built in the 12th century, Koutoubia’s minaret is considered one of the highlights of Islamic architecture in North Africa and the inspiration for the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat.  

Continue to the exquisite Bahia Palace, a masterpiece of Moroccan architecture filled with intricate details, tranquil courtyards, and lush gardens. Built in the mid 19th century as the residence of the Grand Vizier, it was converted by the French in the early 20th century for use by the Resident General of the Protectorate. The sprawling palace covers two acres in the middle of the Medina and contains 150 rooms opening onto a large courtyard filled with fountains and gardens.

From here, step into the vibrant heart of the Medina, where the energy of Jemaa El Fna square and the labyrinthine souks reveal a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and craftsmanship. Your tour of the Medina continues with a visit to the souks of Jemaa El Fna, the city's main square and home to a multitude of street-artists and food stalls. Over the years the square has become the beating heart of Marrakech, where fire-eaters, acrobats, snake-charmers, and street musicians perform at every turn. In the Souk Semmarine you will find a maze of colorful alleys and small squares housing a bewildering array of stalls and ateliers devoted to a seemingly endless variety of arts and crafts. A short walk brings you to a local restaurant for a leisurely lunch.

This afternoon, experience Marrakech’s creative spirit with a visit to the enchanting Majorelle Garden—once owned by Yves Saint Laurent—a lush botanical oasis known for its striking cobalt-blue architecture and exotic plant collections. Continue to the nearby Yves Saint Laurent Museum, where the legendary designer’s work and deep connection to Marrakech are beautifully showcased through couture, photography, and personal archives. Return to the hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

In the evening, gather with fellow travelers for a sumptuous Moroccan dinner in the heart of the Old Medina, where rich flavors and a vibrant atmosphere create a memorable cultural experience.

The Sofitel Marrakech Lounge & Spa

Day 3 — Atlas Mountains

Today's excursion takes you through the countryside and into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, North Africa's greatest mountain range. Here you will encounter two very different worlds: the ancient villages of the Berbers and the post-modernist fantasia of André Heller's Anima Garden.

Set out from the hotel in 4X4 vehicles for the trip south, pausing briefly in the village of Asni for stunning views of snow-capped mountains before continuing the climb toward the village of Imlil at the base of Djebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in the Atlas range. Upon arrival in Imlil, you begin a moderate hike around this village and the neighboring village of Aroumd, where you are surrounded by the natural beauty of the valley and have the chance to discover Berber culture. Berbers, now Amazigh, are the original inhabitants of North Africa, comprising several tribes scattered throughout the region. Proud and hard-working, they have their own dialect, customs, and traditions. You will be welcomed into the home of one of the local families, who will share some of their customs and show you how they manage to live in largely traditional ways.

Enjoy lunch at Roche Armed, one of the small hotels in the village, overlooking the valley and village of Imlil, with the Atlas Mountains in the background.

After lunch, drive to Anima Garden, created by multimedia artist André Heller. Opened in 2016, his garden is a unique mixture of art and nature that combines paintings, sculptures, and other objets d'art that draw on motifs from around the world with carefully chosen and landscaped flora in ways that are meant both to provide inspiration for contemplation and to stimulate the senses. The experience of a visit here is notoriously difficult to describe, but a New York Times critic comes as close as anyone, calling it "a Wonderland of exotic gardens, gazebos, ponds and mystical artworks."

Return to the hotel in Marrakech and enjoy an evening at leisure to explore and enjoy dinner on your own.

The Sofitel Marrakech Lounge & Spa

Day 4 — Marrakech | Casablanca | Embarkation

After breakfast, depart Marrakech for Casablanca, Morocco’s cosmopolitan coastal gateway. Upon arrival, visit the remarkable Hassan II Mosque, an architectural masterpiece dramatically set along the Atlantic and one of the most impressive religious monuments in the world.

Continue along the Corniche to the storied Rick’s Café, inspired by the iconic setting of the film Casablanca. Recreated with elegant detail, the café evokes the romance and nostalgia of a bygone era, offering an atmospheric setting for a leisurely lunch that blends classic charm with refined Moroccan hospitality.

Following your time in Casablanca, proceed to the port to embark your ship, bringing your Moroccan journey to a seamless and memorable close.

Your hotel:

Located just a short walk from the Jemaa El Fna Square, near the heart of Marrakech, The Sofitel Marrakech Lounge & Spa is a magnificent Moorish property set among manicured gardens and fountains. The bright rooms and suites feature balconies and terraces, which offer beautiful views over the mountains, pool, or gardens. The interior design combines French elegance with a dash of Moroccan art de vivre. The hotel has two restaurants, four pools, a fitness center, and a spa.

Your program includes:

• 3 nights at the Sofitel Marrakech Lounge & Spa (or similar)
• Transfer and luggage handling from the airport to the hotel on the scheduled program arrival day
• Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the ship on embarkation day
• Welcome cocktail reception on Day 1
• Breakfast and lunch on Days 2, 3, and 4
• Dinner on Day 2
• Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary
• Local English-speaking guide
• Gratuities for the drivers and local guides

Your program does not include:

• Transfer from the airport to the hotel on any day other than the scheduled program arrival day
• Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program

Please note:

• It is imperative that your flight arrival details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
• Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please contact Reservations or your travel advisor for further details.
• This is not a suitable program for guests with limited mobility.
• For excursions, guests are advised to wear appropriately discreet clothing, covering the upper body and legs below the knee.
• The official currency is the Moroccan Dirham. Credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
• This pre-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
• Program is offered on a space available basis.
• Program is subject to change without notice.

Historic Lisbon — 3 Days, 2 Nights

The itinerary below applies to the current year and serves as a sample for future voyages. Extension details for future departures will be posted as soon as they are available, and all booked travelers will be notified via email.

Portugal is most often introduced to students of history as the country that led the way in Europe's discovery of sub-Saharan Africa, India, and East Asia. But throughout much of the modern era, Portugal, like the rest of the Iberian Peninsula, was in the avant-garde of developments in the fields of art and architecture. This specially designed program will introduce you to monuments that celebrate both of these aspects of Portugal's past.

Day 1 — Lisbon

After breakfast on board, disembark your ship. Your panoramic tour of Lisbon begins with a stop for photos at the 16th-century Belém Tower, the point from which many Portuguese explorers, including da Gama, set sail. Continue your journey to the imposing Jerónimos Monastery, where Vasco da Gama spent his last night before embarking on his voyage to India, and the finest extant example of the Portuguese architectural style known as Manueline. Enjoy some time at leisure in the historic Belém Quarter. Enjoy a local lunch before you continue to the National Azulejo Museum*, home to one of Lisbon’s most distinctive cultural treasures, showcasing an extraordinary collection of decorative ceramic tiles (azulejos) that trace Portugal’s artistic and architectural heritage from the 15th century to the present day. Next, transfer to the Hotel Altis Avenida for check-in. The remainder of the day is at leisure, and dinner is on your own.

Hotel Altis Avenida

Day 2 — Sintra

After breakfast, set out on a full-day excursion to the nearby village of Sintra, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its role in the early development of European Romantic architecture. Explore Sintra Palace, thought to have first been constructed in the 10th or 11th century when Sintra was under Moorish rule, with additions made by successive kings and queens. Since March 2025, ongoing restoration of the magnificent Hispano‑Moorish tile panels in the Arab Room, D. Afonso VI Chamber, and the Gruta dos Banhos has been underway, allowing visitors to view the intricate conservation efforts in progress. The Preta Garden, fully restored in recent years, continues to offer sweeping views over the Sintra Hills and historic town center.

After your visit to this fascinating place, drive to the center of Sintra for lunch at a local restaurant and time at leisure for browsing the many shops that offer handicrafts and Portuguese wines before reboarding your motorcoach for the return journey. Your route will take you through a nature preserve to Cabo da Roca on the Atlantic coast, the westernmost point of Europe. From there you will travel along the coastal road back to Lisbon. Dinner is independent and at your leisure.

Hotel Altis Avenida

Day 3 — Lisbon | Home

After breakfast at the hotel and checking out, transfer to the airport for your flight homeward.

Your hotel:

The Hotel Altis Avenida is a charming boutique hotel, with an extraordinary location in the center of Lisbon, in Praça dos Restauradores. The architecture and decoration are inspired by the 1940s and draw on the concept of "urban chic," where the past and the future meet, creating an atmosphere of charm and glamor. The hotel has 123 rooms, a Lobby Bar, and a fine dining restaurant on the top floor of the hotel that features the cuisine of chef João Rodrigues.

Your program includes:

• 2 nights at the Hotel Altis Avenida (or similar).
• Transfer and luggage handling from the pier to the hotel on Day 1.
• Transfer and luggage handling from the hotel to the airport on Day 3.
• Breakfast on Days 2 and 3.
• Lunch on Days 1 and 2.
• Sightseeing and programming as noted in the itinerary.
• Local English-speaking guide.
• Gratuities for the drivers and local guides.

Your program does not include:

• Transfer from the hotel to the airport on any day other than the scheduled program departure day.
• Personal expenses and other services and meals not mentioned as included in the program.

Please note:

• It is imperative that your flight details are communicated at least 90 days prior to the beginning of your cruise in order to secure your transfer from the airport to the hotel.
• Early check-in and/or late check-out are available depending on availability and at a supplement. An additional night is possible, upon request and depending on hotel availability. Please, contact reservations or your travel agent for further details.
• The official currency is the euro. Credit cards are largely accepted in hotels, shops, and restaurants.
• *If the National Azulejo Museum is under renovation or otherwise unavailable, the visit will be replaced with the Gulbenkian Museum.
• This post-cruise program is offered as a package. There will be no refunds for unused accommodations, meals, or excursions.
• The program is offered on a space available basis.
• The program is subject to change without notice.