Cultural Spanish Discovery Cruise

Day 1 - Southampton

Arrive: Wed 14 January 2026 / Depart: Wed 14 January 2026

Southampton offers fast and efficient check-in areas, spacious departure lounges with seating areas, café-bars and smart washrooms. If you wish to travel by car and park for the duration of your cruise, you can pay for and reserve parking in advance directly with the relevant company. Alternatively, if being dropped off or collected by taxi or private car, they can drive right up alongside the terminal building.

Day 2 - At Sea

Day 3 - La Coruna, Spain

Arrive: Fri 16 January 2026 / Depart: Fri 16 January 2026

At the north western tip of Spain, La Coruna is Galicia's largest city - from where in 1588 the Spanish Armada sailed to its fate. It's the port of call for nearby Santiago de Compostela, in whose ornate 11th century cathedral rests the body of St James. With Jerusalem and Rome, it remains one of Christendom's most holy places - to which in the middle ages up to two million pilgrims came each year.

Day 4 - At Sea

Day 5 - At Sea

Day 6 - Majorca

Arrive: Mon 19 January 2026

Palma is the cosmopolitan capital of Mallorca, the most popular of the Balearic Islands (if not the entire Meditteranean) - with its host of bars, restaurants and stylish shops, a palm-shaded seafront promenade, attractive Old Town, imposing Gothic Cathedral and 14th century Bellver Castle. Beyond lies some of Majorca's dramatic mountain-and-coast scenery, setting of Valldemosa, the hillside village whose ancient Carthusian monastery was briefly home to Chopin and George Sand.

Day 7 - Majorca

Depart: Tue 20 January 2026

Palma is the cosmopolitan capital of Mallorca, the most popular of the Balearic Islands (if not the entire Meditteranean) - with its host of bars, restaurants and stylish shops, a palm-shaded seafront promenade, attractive Old Town, imposing Gothic Cathedral and 14th century Bellver Castle. Beyond lies some of Majorca's dramatic mountain-and-coast scenery, setting of Valldemosa, the hillside village whose ancient Carthusian monastery was briefly home to Chopin and George Sand.

Day 8 - Valencia

Arrive: Wed 21 January 2026 / Depart: Wed 21 January 2026

Packed with plenty to see, do and explore, there is a never a dull day in this charming Spanish city. Wander through the beautiful city centre admiring the array of beautiful historic monuments; visit the myriad of museums and art galleries such as the Institute of Modern Art and Museum of Fine Arts or simply head to one of the city’s beaches to enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine and sample local cuisine in the many restaurants that line the promenades. The Old Town district - like similar districts in other major European cities - is where you will find some of the oldest, most beautiful and most interesting sites in the city, including the UNESCO-Listed Lonja de la Seda, 13th century Santo Domingo Convent and Torres de Serranos - a 14th century gothic gateway that’s considered the oldest in Europe.

Day 9 - Cartagena, Spain

Arrive: Thu 22 January 2026 / Depart: Thu 22 January 2026

Today Spain's major commercial port and naval base, Cartagena lies on the coast of Murcia, its great indented bay guarded by rocky promontories, each topped by a fort. Founded in 221 BC by Hasdrubal, leader of the Carthaginians (hence the name) from North Africa, it has a fascinating history - and as Nova Carthage was long the Romans' principal settlement in their Iberian stronghold. Attractive promenades extend along the harbour, while to the northeast is the famous beach and watersports resort area of the lagoon-like Mar Menor.

Day 10 - Malaga

Arrive: Fri 23 January 2026 / Depart: Fri 23 January 2026

The busy port city of Andalusia, the Spain of gazpacho and paella, flamenco and fiesta, recaptured from the Moors of the 15th century after 800 years of conflict. Enjoy the panorama from Gibralfara Castle, and visit the Moorish Alcazaba fortress, the birthplace of Picasso, and a wine cellar to try the famous local dessert wines. Or travel to Granada, to the glorious Alhambra, whose proud 14th century palaces and exotic gardens are Spain's finest expression of Moorish art.

Day 11 - Cadiz

Arrive: Sat 24 January 2026 / Depart: Sat 24 January 2026

One of Western Europe's most ancient cities, founded 3,000 years ago by Phoenician merchants, Cadiz hugs Andalucia's sunlit Atlantic coast. It's a historic and intriguing seaport-from which Spain's galleons once sailed in quest of New World treasure - characterised by palm trees, look out towers and weathered old buildings. From here you can visit Jerez de la Frontera, centre of Spain's sherry production, and put to the test the creations of its many bodegas!

Day 12 - Cruising by Belem Tower

Day 12 - Cruising by Monument to the Discoveries

Day 12 - Cruising by Christ the King statue

Day 12 - Cruising under 25th April Bridge

Day 12 - Lisbon

Arrive: Sun 25 January 2026 / Depart: Sun 25 January 2026

It was from historic Lisbon, built on seven low hills beside the wide Tagus estuary, that some of Europe's greatest explorers set sail in pursuit of the riches that built Portugal's former global empire in the New World, Africa and the Indies. Memories of that glorious past linger amid the grand avenues and elegant squares of the attractive capital's 18th century lower town - a vivid contrast with the colourful honeycomb of cobbled streets in the old Moorish Alfama quarter and the bohemian mood of the hilly Bairro Alto.

Day 13 - At Sea

Day 14 - At Sea

Day 15 - Southampton

Arrive: Wed 28 January 2026 / Depart: Wed 28 January 2026

Southampton offers fast and efficient check-in areas, spacious departure lounges with seating areas, café-bars and smart washrooms. If you wish to travel by car and park for the duration of your cruise, you can pay for and reserve parking in advance directly with the relevant company. Alternatively, if being dropped off or collected by taxi or private car, they can drive right up alongside the terminal building.