Sail north through the rich cultural tapestry of Atlantic Europe on a journey from Portugal to Ireland, discovering regions deeply tied to the ocean through maritime heritage, coastal cuisine and dramatic shorelines. Experience port wine in its birthplace, trace Celtic legacies from Brittany to Wales and hike rugged coastlines that have inspired artists and legends alike. Along the way, taste the local flavors of each land—fresh seafood, farm-fresh Cornish fare, Breton crêpes and more, each telling its own story of place and tradition.
- Follow a Celtic thread through Brittany, Cornwall and Wales, where shared traditions and maritime histories connect these culturally rich coastal regions
- Taste your way through the Atlantic, sampling port in Porto, seafood in Brittany and hearty, local fare in Cornwall
- Hike three iconic coastlines, from the windswept cliffs of Brittany to Cornwall’s craggy moors and Wales’s wild headlands
- Explore Porto’s Ribeira district, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Quimper’s historic center
- Step into seafaring history in legendary ports, island castles and fishing towns shaped by centuries of life at the ocean’s edge
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Arrive in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, one of Europe’s most vibrant and charismatic cities. Spend the day exploring the history, art, culture and delectable cuisine in the city of seven hills at your leisure before embarking in the late afternoon.
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Porto. The birthplace of port wine, Porto straddles a gorge on the beautiful Douro River, linked by numerous bridges and filled with medieval architecture. See the region’s famous azulejo tiles and take in the views from the Ponte Dom Luis bridge, an iron masterpiece completed in 1886. Choose from options within the city or in the countryside to gain a better understanding of the layers of Portuguese history and culture before taking in the city at your own pace. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend a relaxing day at sea sailing along the French coast as you enjoy the ship’s amenities. Join your officers on the Bridge and learn about navigating through the Bay of Biscay, attend a presentation about the region led by one of your naturalists or schedule a rejuvenating massage with your wellness specialist.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arrive in Brittany, where coastlines are dotted with quaint harbors, coastal trails and seafaring traditions. With the ship docked in the picturesque harbor town of Douarnenez, delve into the history of sardine fishing in the area, indulge in the local gastronomy or opt for a coastal hike. Alternatively, head inland from the coast to the ancient Breton city of Quimper, to explore its half-timbered houses and distinct pottery tradition Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Awake to a view of Land’s End, England’s most westerly point, renowned for its breathtaking panoramic vistas. Part of Cornwall and steeped in legend, this is a region of dramatic cliffs, rocky coves and heather-carpeted moors. Associated with King Arthur and smugglers who inspired Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, its real-life historic sites include remnants of early Christian and Bronze Age settlements and St. Michael’s Mount, a centuries-old island castle still inhabited today. Cornwall shares cultural, natural and industrial heritage with Brittany and is enjoying a cultural renaissance, drawing artists inspired by its coastlines, harbors and quiet garden retreats. You’ll experience the greatest of this rich area with hikes along its picturesque coast, cultural immersion experiences such as tastings of regional cuisine and musical performances, as well as an exploration of the Cornish Mining Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sail north along the Welsh coastline, known for its blend of rich natural beauty, history and a multitude of coves jutting out into the Irish Sea. Take in the spectacular scenery and diverse landscapes as you explore this rustic region while on Zodiac cruises, coastal hikes or kayaks. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Arrive in Wales, which has more castles per square mile than any other country in the world. Choose to tour some of the grand castles that are part of the Iron Ring of Castles, a chain of fortresses built by King Edward. Alternatively, stay on the Isle of Anglesey and walk the Coastal Path, designated An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, alongside a member of the local mountain rescue team. Spot falcons, seals and springtime wildflowers as you pass through a mixture of farmland, coastal heath, dunes and more.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark in Dublin after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Meals Included: Breakfast
Itineraries are subject to change.
National Geographic Endurance
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship
Passenger Capacity: 126
Built: 2018
A next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation.
National Geographic Endurance is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation. A fully stabilized, highly strengthened, ice-class Polar Code PC5 (Category A) vessel, it is designed to navigate polar passages year-round, and safely explore unchartered waters, while providing exceptional comfort. Its patented X-BOW® is key to its design; its powerful wave-slicing action provides an extremely smooth ride in even adverse conditions, and even reduces spray on deck, for superior observation. She carries a full suite of expedition tools and offers a variety of experience-enhancing amenities.
The luxury of comfort on expedition
National Geographic Endurance comfortably accommodates 126 guests in 69 outside-facing cabins. Cabins are efficiently designed, with sizes range from the 140-square-foot solo cabin to the 430-square-foot category 7 suite. Fifty-three of the 69 cabins, including all 12 of the solo cabins, will feature small balconies with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that bring in the spectacular views and ample natural light.
Comfort & convenience in every room
Every cabin has two portholes, a large window or balcony, and temperature controls. Bathrooms are modern and stocked with botanically inspired hair products, soap, and shower gel, plus a hairdryer. Cabins are equipped with expedition command centers with tablets and USB/mobile device docking, TVs, Wi-Fi connections, and hair dryers.
Dining: Food served aboard is fresh, local, and delicious, and sourced from suppliers who share our values of sustainable use whenever possible. Meals aboard are almost always served in the dining room, located aft of the lounge deck. When weather conditions allow, lighter fare may be served on the observation deck. There is no assigned seating and our dining room accommodates the entire expedition community in a single seating. During meals your expedition leader, naturalists, and any guest speakers aboard will join you.
Public Areas: Two restaurants, a Chef’s Table for small group dining, Observation Lounge with bar, gym, Wellness area, infinity-style outdoor hot tubs, library, main lounge with full service bar, 24-hour beverage, state-of-the-art facilities for films, slideshows and presentations, and a photo workshop area; plus, an expedition base with lockers for expedition gear, and an “open bridge” for access to our captain, officers and the art of navigation.
Meals: Two restaurants, featuring local, sustainable choices and unassigned seating for flexible, inclusive dining; plus a Chef’s table for intimate, small group dining. Main restaurant has 270º views, and the Observation deck restaurant features lighter, made-to-order fare.
Cabins: All cabins face outside with large windows, private facilities and climate controls. 53 cabins have balconies. Cabins are equipped with expedition command centers with tablets and USB/mobile device docking, TVs, Wi-Fi connections, and hair dryers.
Expedition Tools: Zodiac landing craft, kayaks, snowshoes, cross-country skis, undersea specialist operating a remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and underwater video camera for unique access to polar marine world, hydrophone, aerial remote-controlled camera and video microscope.
Special Features: A full-time doctor, undersea specialist, National Geographic photographer, Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor and video chronicler, an internet cafe and laundry.
Wellness: The vessel is staffed by our wellness specialists and features a glass-enclosed yoga studio, gym, treatment rooms and spa relax area, and high- and low-heat saunas with ocean views.
Expedition Landing Craft: Key to our operation is our fleet of expedition landing craft, which we use to land in places that would otherwise be inaccessible. With 8 of these boats and two loading stations used every time we disembark, we’re able to transfer guests off the ship quickly, so you can be out on adventures, not idly waiting. The expedition landing craft we use are 19 feet long, powered by four-stroke outboard engines, and are capable of comfortably carrying 10-12 people. They are widely recognized as the safest and most versatile small boats afloat.
Remotely Operated Vehicle: Capable of reaching 1,000 feet, far beyond the range of any Scuba diver, the ROV allows you to literally view parts of the undersea that are as unexplored as the moon. Chances are you, like many of our guests, will be struck by how surprisingly colorful undersea life is in these unlikely places. And this glimpse may fundamentally change how you view the ocean.
Kayaks: National Geographic Endurance will be equipped with a fleet of kayaks large enough to ensure everyone who wants to can paddle at every opportunity.
Consequently, prior kayaking experience isn’t necessary—many of our guests have their first kayaking experience in extraordinary locations. Our custom-designed floating platform lets us deploy kayaks from the ship, or any location we want—including far from shore. Kayakers are usually free to explore where they want within boundaries set by the undersea specialist and officer of the watch.
Underwater camera: Our undersea specialist will dive often during your expedition, even in Alaska, with cold-water gear, to shoot high-definition, Cousteau-like footage of the deep. Colorful nudibranchs, swimming, plant-like crinoids, and mysterious fish with antifreeze blood that thrive in the frigid sea will give you an entirely new appreciation of the marine environment.
Video microscope: Naturalists will use the video microscope to help explain all elements of the environment, including tiny organisms that are the building block of the marine ecosystem. Spellbinding live views of krill at 80x magnification fills the high-definition screens in the lounge with vivid detail, and fills every onlooker with a sense of wonder at the importance of otherwise unobservable creatures.
Hydrophone: This underwater microphone is deployed to listen to the vocalizations of marine mammals. Real time transmissions of their eerie, haunting sounds can be broadcast through the ship or recorded for later playback. Few experiences in nature are as captivating as watching humpback whales feed close to the ship as their vocalizations play through the ship’s PA system.
Electronic charts: An electronic chart showing the ship’s location, course, and speed is almost always on display in the lounge.
Open bridge: You’ll find our captains are engaged, knowledgeable members of your expedition who are eager to share their passion with you. Venture’s open bridge features comfortable spaces to sit, enjoy the view, drink your morning coffee, or simply chat with the officers.
Snorkeling gear & wetsuits: On warm weather itineraries where there will be snorkeling, you’ll select a mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit that remain yours for the duration of the expedition. There’s no need to pack and tote your own gear, although guests who prefer to are welcome to bring their own.
Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
