Cruise Spain, Portugal and Morocco

Depart Home City/Barcelona, Spain/ Embark Ship

Depart your home city for Barcelona, Spain. Arrive in Barcelona and collect your luggage.
From there, embark on the deluxe World Traveller, which departs Barcelona later this afternoon. Attend a briefing and lifeboat drill. Enjoy dinner on board as you cruise for Valencia.

Valencia

This morning, we arrive at the sun-kissed city of Valencia for a day of touring. After breakfast, you will disembark to explore the town.

Founded as a Roman colony in 138 B.C. amidst a fertile plain of orange groves — a popular staple in the city’s foodie culture — Valencia is best known today for its beaches, unique art, stunning architecture and historic old town. It is also the birthplace of paella, a flavorful rice dish that’s become a signature of Spanish cuisine.

Traveler’s Choice | Choose one of the following included morning excursions.

• Market Visit & Paella Cooking Class. Visit the Central Market and get the ingredients you need to participate in a chef-led paella cooking class. Enjoy appetizers as you prepare your paella and then relax while the chef finishes your dish. Paellas will then be presented to the judges, after which you will be able to savor the creations for lunch, along with dessert, coffee and spirits.
• History & Architecture. This walking tour of Valencia features visits to Parroquia de San Nicolas, the Valencia Cathedral and the UNESCO-designated La Lonja de Seda, or Silk Exchange — a remarkable example of a secular Gothic structure. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant and a glass of horchata, a refreshing cold drink that is a Valencian specialty.

Return to the ship for lunch on board or choose to stay in Valencia for lunch on your own, followed by an afternoon at leisure. A shuttle will be provided from the city to the ship for those who wish to continue exploring until the ship departs the port later this evening.

Join your fellow passengers for the Captain’s Welcome Reception this evening, followed by dinner on board the ship.

Day at Sea

Today we sail the vibrant blue waters along the coast of Spain. Enjoy a luxurious day at sea admiring the spectacular views and enjoying all the ship’s luxury amenities. Whether you choose to relax on one of the sun decks, spend time unwinding at the spa or socializing with the group at one of the lounges, you will have an entire day to indulge in every luxury amenity the World Traveller has to offer. Savor stunning views as you enjoy all your meals on board the ship.

Málaga/Granada

Enjoy breakfast on board as the ship arrives in Málaga, considered one of the oldest cities in the world. Disembark for a scenic drive to Granada to visit the Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Originally designed as a military area, the sprawling Alhambra palace became the residence of Moorish monarchs and of the court of Granada in the middle of the 13th century, and later a citadel with high ramparts and defensive towers. It remains the only preserved palatine city of the Islamic period and its Generalife garden vegetable farms are noted for their medieval irrigation innovations.

Arrive at Alhambra and enjoy lunch at the Parador de Granada restaurant, located inside the palace.

Explore the spectacular, sprawling medieval fortress of the Nasrid dynasty on an excursion that includes a visit to the palace’s magnificent Generalife gardens. Admire the exquisite detail that made this citadel an artistic treasure as well as a hilltop stronghold. Inside many of the buildings you may look up to see the honeycomb pattern of the muqarnas, or decorative vaulting. (Moderate)

Travel to Málaga to embark the ship. Enjoy dinner on board this evening or choose to stay in town and have dinner on your own at a local restaurant in Málaga.

Gibraltar

We will arrive in Gibraltar this morning. Enjoy breakfast on board and disembark the ship for your excursion to visit the legendary Rock of Gibraltar.

Take a scenic drive along the picturesque coast, admiring the panoramic views of the shimmering waters with glimpses of sandy beaches and rugged cliffs, as you head toward Gibraltar’s southernmost point. You ‘ll arrive at the Trinity Run Lighthouse, located near the Gulf of Cadiz, and walk up a short, steep section of road to reach the summit of the Rock of Gibraltar, known as the “Top of the Rock.”; From atop the towering limestone formation, you ‘ll witness stunning panoramic views of the surrounding area and also see the two Pillars of Hercules, two ancient landmarks that were once believed to mark the edge of the known world in classical antiquity. Together, these two pillars stood at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea from the Atlantic Ocean.

Continue your drive, entering the upper rock nature reserve and passing the Queen’s Balcony viewpoint to arrive at the nearby St. Michael’s Cave. After walking about 100 yards up the road, you ‘ll enter this fascinating natural limestone cave to marvel at the dramatic display of stalactites and stalagmites. Next, as you head further along the upper rock, you will be delighted by the world-famous Barbary Apes, a species of Barbary macaques. Observe the playful, curious creatures who roam freely around the Rock of Gibraltar and are Europe’s only wild monkeys.

Conclude your enriching day with a visit to the Siege Tunnels, which were carved into the Rock during the Great Siege of Gibraltar (1779-1783) to house artillery and protect the garrison from attacks. You ‘ll descend a long sloping walkway to explore the underground fortifications, view historic military artifacts, and learn about Gibraltar’s strategic importance during the siege. On your return to the ship, you ‘ll drive past the walls of the city. (Active)

Return to the ship after your exciting morning and savor lunch on board. This afternoon, relax and enjoy time at leisure as the ship departs Gibraltar. Dinner will be served on board as you cruise toward Tangier, Morocco.

Tangier, Morocco

The ship arrives in the ancient port city of Tangier this morning. After breakfast, disembark the ship and begin today’s excursion.

After its origins as a Phoenician trading post and five centuries under Roman rule, Tangier fell to the Vandals and ultimately became part of the Byzantine empire — origins that created a vibrant ancient metropolis at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The northern African city was then conquered and claimed multiple times by Spain, Portugal and Morocco in the centuries that followed. By the early 20th century, Tangier caught the attention of renowned artists such as Matisse and Eugène Delacroix, establishing a new age of cosmopolitan creativity.

Take a short ride by motor coach through Tangier, alight the coach and proceed on a 10-minute walk, slightly uphill, to admire the panoramic views at the 18th-century Kasbah of Tangier. Continue to Grand Socco Square and the Old Jewish Quarter, stopping in front of the Tangier-American Legation Museum, the only U.S. Historic Landmark in a foreign country. (Moderate)

After the walking tour, indulge in a lunch of traditional Moroccan dishes, such as Harira soup, Couscous Royal, and orange slices with cinnamon for dessert. Later this afternoon, return to the ship and enjoy dinner on board.

Seville, Spain

Today the ship arrives in Seville, where you will disembark for an excursion after breakfast on board.

This ancient Andalusian town on the Guadalquivir River has a history that dates to the ninth century B.C. From the Romans to the Vandals and Visigoths, it was ruled by many civilizations before it fell in 711 to the Moors — who retained control through the 13th century, when they were conquered by Spanish Christians. By the early 1500s, the colonial-era Age of Exploration established Seville as the gateway to Spanish trade with the Americas.

Begin your tour of this storied city with a visit to the Royal Alcázar of Seville, a fortified 11th-century Moorish palace and gardens that represents both the Islamic and Christian cultures that have ruled over the centuries. A UNESCO World Heritage site, its architecture is an evolving tapestry of Mudejar style and a blend of Islamic, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Romantic influences. Today, it is one of the official residences of the Spanish royal family and the oldest royal palace in Europe that’s still in use. (Moderate)

From there, you will visit the magnificent Cathedral of Seville. The largest Gothic building in the world, the cathedral replaced a mosque that had been located at that site. The Giralda, or bell tower, was the mosque’s minaret. It is a splendid example of the Almohad architecture that the Moors brought to the Iberian Peninsula. Since the 16th century, the top of the minaret has featured a Renaissance belfry. (Mild)

Enjoy a delicious lunch on board and spend the afternoon at leisure. Choose to take advantage of the ship’s amenities or continue exploring Seville at your own pace. This evening, return to the ship for dinner on board.

Portimão, Portugal/Lagos

Savor breakfast this morning as the ship arrives in Portimão. Disembark for a guided tour of the walled port town of Lagos.

Once the center of trade between Moorish Portugal and Africa, the ancient maritime port of Lagos was founded more than 2,000 years ago. Your afternoon excursion includes a visit to the statue of Infante Dom Henrique — a monument to Prince Henry the Navigator — and the intricately carved Church of San Antonio. Built in 1707 and re-built after an earthquake in 1755, the church is a fine example of Baroque architecture. You will also learn more about the disturbing history of slavery in Lagos during the 15th century with a visit the Mercado de Escravos, site of the first slave market in Europe. This sobering landmark, now a museum, tells the story of the African men and women who were brought to Portugal against their will. (Moderate)

Enjoy lunch on board this afternoon.

Join your fellow travelers for a Captain’s Farewell Reception and dinner for your final evening on the ship. Raise a glass to your unforgettable journey and the memories made along the way!

Lisbon/Disembark ship/Return to Home City

Following breakfast, disembark and transfer to Lisbon airport for your return flight home.