Discovery package is per person and includes complimentary Enhanced Wi-Fi, a $250USD laundry credit, and a commemorative jacket and backpack. Discovery Package must be communicated at time of booking.
We're a winner of Conde Nast Traveler's 2022 Readers Choice Awards
The Expedition Experience
These expeditions enable you to take the God-view of a sweeping and fascinating geography or zoom down into a close-up. Explore rarely visited islands, isolated by expanses of ocean. In the Azores, linger amid towering basalt peaks, bubbling hot springs, nutrient-rich waters, emerald-green farmlands, and within a rich history. Experience the warmth and hospitality of the locals as they share a glimpse into their island life with traditional dishes, world-class wine and cheese tastings, fado music and the beauty of each destination.
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Apr
From
$10,940
Prices are per person
Highlights
Atlantic Isles
Europe & British Isles
New
Islands of the Azores: Basalt Peaks to Volcanic Vineyards
Duration
10 days
NOTE: For expeditions departing April 2024 onward, Day 1 of our itineraries will no longer reflect “departure from the U.S.” and will reflect “arrival to the city” where your expedition begins. Durations of expeditions will remain unchanged.
Apr
From
$10,940
Top Highlights
Go whale-watching, follow scenic hiking trails, and learn of the volcanic history unique to the Azores
Discover the varied past and the stories of explorers, whalers, and conquerors who all had a part in weaving the tapestry of island history
Experience the commitment the locals have to sustainable growth and protecting the natural beauty and ecosystems of the archipelago
Immerse yourself in the theme of island exploration and make plenty of discoveries of your own: virgin wildness, world-class whale watching, gardens in bloom, birds, and ancient lore. Discover them through curated daily activities—in our decades of exploring we’ve found the best hikes to see wildlife, where whales come to feed, and the top cuisine and cultural sites. See terraced hillsides, verdant forests and craggy canyons, and receive a world-class welcome from the friendly locals everywhere you travel.
There’s no need to dress up, ever; life aboard is casual all the way. There’s no assigned seating in the dining room—whether you choose the dining room or one of your ship's more casual dining spaces. In fact, many tables accommodate uneven numbers, making for easy mingling and the fun of sharing breakfast, lunch, or dinner with different new friends, staff, or guest speakers.
The Whales of Cape Verde
About 250 humpback whales travel to the Cape Verde islands every year to breed and calve, filling the ocean with song.
Coming into the harbor or seeing the outline of an island on the horizon—the feeling of the sea and exploration is there, and it's amazing.
Alyssa S.
Explore with top expedition teams
See, do, and learn more by going with engaging experts who have been exploring this region for decades. Go with an expedition leader, naturalists, historians, and more.
Expedition Leader
Veteran expedition leaders are the orchestrators of your experience. Many have advanced degrees and have conducted research or taught for years. They have achieved expedition leader status because they possess the skills, the experience, and the depth of knowledge necessary to continually craft the best expedition possible for our guests.
Sail with a team of naturalists, each passionate about the geographies they explore (and return to regularly) and who illuminate each facet through their enthusiasm and knowledge. Choose to spend time with whoever shares your interests in birding, human history, flora and fauna, and so much more.
Video chroniclers accompany every expedition, shooting vivid HD footage—with no recycled footage ever—to provide you with a professionally edited and completely authentic memento of your expedition. Working during the day, and editing into the night, they have your DVD ready for preview prior to—and available to purchase at—disembarkation.
On our second day in Cabo Verde, we explored the island of Fogo. During our tour of the island, we were able to witness the different types of lava that the most recent volcanic eruptions have left behind. Driving and walking across the moon-like landscape, we made our way to the peak of the island, which reaches almost 10,000 feet. We also visited one of the many vineyards that pepper the island and marveled at the resilience of its inhabitants, still re-building after the last eruption in 2014.
Land Ahoy! We have crossed the Atlantic Ocean and made landfall on Cape Verde. Our journey to explore these islands started with a thorough tour of Santiago Island. A great place to start was Cidade Velha, the old Capital of Cape Verde with its impressive fort and quaint town with cobbled streets and whitewashed homes. We started our climb into the mountainous interior where the island’s volcanic origins were very evident. With some stops at the botanical gardens and a market, we made our way along the spine of the island to Tarrafal, where a delicious lunch awaited us. Some guests decided to add a quick swim at the beach with an array of colorful fishing vessels. The history of the political struggles of the island in the early and mid-20th century was clear when we visited the concentration camp near Tarrafal. We wended our way down the eastern coast of the island enjoying the scenery, occasionally being stopped by goats meandering across the road, oblivious to the traffic! We finished with a wander through the center of the current capital, Praia, seeing the market, churches, and squares, ending by the Presidential Palace.
We had 4000 meters of deep blue water beneath us today and flat, calm winds with a lazy, languorous swell from the north. As we closed in on our next destination, the Cape Verde Archipelago, we had seen more birds in the air – yet more boobies, frigatebirds, and storm petrels. The surface of the water was at times literally alive with flying fish, skimming for yards ahead of the ship. We took to the water ourselves after lunch. Out in the middle of the open ocean, with nothing on the horizon but the haze of low clouds blurring the boundary between ocean and sky. All one haze of cerulean blue, darkening to ultramarine clarity around National Geographic Endurance . Jumping from Zodiacs into the wild blue yonder, we thrilled at the prospect of such depth beneath our bodies – ethereal in its majesty. At one with the ocean. Timeless.
The Atlantic north of the equator welcomed us this morning with clear skies and calm seas. It was a good day to relax and attend a presentation on sea turtles by Dennis Cornejo, as well as to brush up on citizen science apps with Steve Backus. In between the scheduled talks, we were able to appreciate an increase in the volume of Sargassum around us. Our undersea team descended on a Zodiac to collect samples for everyone to observe at recap. After the excitement of the sampling operation, the day returned to a calmer rhythm. Our creativity flourished in workshops like Amy Malkoski’s watercolor class. After teatime, Sue Forbes shared tips for processing photos directly on our phones, which we practiced. We wrapped up the day with useful advice on how to communicate in Portuguese from Madalena Patacho. This will undoubtedly come in handy when we arrive to Cabo Verde, Madeira and the Azores.
Waking to beautiful shades of blue, we officially find ourselves in the Northern Hemisphere after crossing the equator at 6:30 am. As we sail through the morning, Madalena Patacho uses maps to teach us about the area’s history, and we learn about local islands from Steve Backus. For a bit of fun in the afternoon, King Neptune called all polliwogs to the deck for an official trial after we crossed the equator without his permission. We had to ask for permission to cross and pay retribution to the sea king.
Days at sea are all about looking for wildlife. And we're constantly on the watch for fish, birds, mammals, and you never know what you’re going to see.