E-mail a friendShip: Corinthian II
Itinerary: Cape of Good Hope to Gibraltar: Grand Voyage Exploring Africa\'s Natural & Cultural Treasures (2009
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Cape of Good Hope to Gibraltar
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | CAPE TOWN, South Africa |
|---|---|
| Day 2 : | CAPE TOWN | CAPE PENINSULA NATIONAL PARK | EMBARK |
| Day 3 : | AT SEA |
| Day 4 : | LUDERITZ, Namibia |
| Days 5-6 : | WALVIS BAY |
| Days 7-8 : | AT SEA |
| Day 9 : | LUANDA, Angola |
| Day 10 : | AT SEA |
| Days 11-13 : | PORT-GENTIL, Gabon |
| Day 14 : | SÃO TOMÉ, São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Day 15 : | PRÍNCIPE |
| Day 16 : | At Sea (B,L,D) |
| Day 17 : | COTONOU | PORTO-NOVO | COTONOU, Benin |
| Day 18 : | TEMA | ACCRA | TEMA, Ghana |
| Day 19 : | TAKO RADI and the GOLD COAST |
| Itinerary continues - click for full itinerary | |
| Day 34 : | SEVILLE, Spain |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| Cat E | Cat D | Cat C | Cat B | Cat A | Cat AA | Cat VS | Cat PHS | ||
| 34 | Apr 1, 2009 | $23,995 | $25,995 | $27,995 | $29,995 | $31,995 | $33,995 | $37,995 | $39,995 |
| Deposit on this voyage = 10%. Second deposit of 20% due 9 months prior to departure. | |||||||||
| Destinations : Africa, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Ghana, Mauritania, Morocco, Namibia, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa Activities : Ancient Ruins, Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching |
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Following in the wake of the early explorers and along the route of prosperous merchant ships of the 18th and 19th centuries, Corinthian II will ply a remarkable course that encompasses the grand scope of Africa, as we traverse the length of its Atlantic coast. It is an astonishingly rare itinerary, calling at ports and exploring destinations largely unknown to travelers. Embarking in Cape Town, the bustling port city that was founded near the landmark Cape of Good Hope, we will explore practically every country along Africa’s west coast: South Africa, Namibia, Angola, Gabon, São Tomé and Príncipe, Cameroon, Benin, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Mauritania, and Morocco, before the ship arrives at the Rock of Gibraltar, another of the world’s great sea landmarks, ending the voyage in historic Seville. It is an unprecedented opportunity to observe the differences in ancient cultures and tribal customs, landscape, and animal life, from the towering dunes of Namibia, to the remarkable wildlife of Gabon’s rain forests; from the markets of Ghana and Senegal, to the medinas of Morocco. Our voyage presents a richly kaleidoscopic, lushly complex experience of a continent that defies description. Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.
Day 1 : CAPE TOWN, South Africa
Arrive in Cape Town in the evening. Transfer to the distinguished Arabella Sheraton Grand Hotel.
Day 2 : CAPE TOWN | CAPE PENINSULA NATIONAL PARK | EMBARK
Explore the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, and discover Cape Point’s spectacular cliffs, among the highest in the world. Also delight in the celebrated Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden before embarkation in the afternoon.
Day 3 : AT SEA
Cruise along the coast of South Africa and Namibia.
Day 4 : LUDERITZ, Namibia
Between ocean and desert sands lies charming Luderitz. Visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop, a casualty of the region’s wild, diamond-mining past.
Days 5-6 : WALVIS BAY
Arrive the morning of April 5 in Walvis Bay, a naturalists’ paradise. Explore the Namib Desert Park, ending with a memorable dinner by the sand dunes. The following day, visit the Walvis Bay Lagoon, an outstanding bird sanctuary.
Days 7-8 : AT SEA
Cruise toward Luanda, Angola, while enjoying the lecture series and relaxing on board the ship.
Day 9 : LUANDA, Angola
Luanda, Angola’s capital, exemplifies Angola’s breathtaking terrain of mountains rising dramatically from the sea. It is home to museums documenting the region’s history and culture.
Day 10 : AT SEA
Cruise toward Port-Gentil, Gabon, and continue with the ship’s lecture series.
Days 11-13 : PORT-GENTIL, Gabon
Spend three days in Gabon, home to some of the richest wildlife in all of Africa. In Port-Gentil, visit the Church of Saint Louis, town market, and a local artisan’s workshop. Take a boat ride to Cap Lopez’s white-sand beaches, and spend time relaxing or exploring the nearby mangroves. Enjoy a choice of overnight air excursions on either April 11 or 12 into one of Gabon’s pristine national parks, including the option to tour Loango National Park, with its concentration of elephants and apes.
Day 14 : SÃO TOMÉ, São Tomé and Príncipe
A tour of the beautiful island of São Tomé includes the main town’s cathedral, the National Museum, the Fortress of San Sebastian, and a hike through the rain forest. Visit a coffee plantation where life has remained unchanged for centuries.
Day 15 : PRÍNCIPE
Ancient forests cover much of Príncipe. Enjoy a range of options for the day: tour the capital, Santo Antonio; walk through the abandoned plantation of Porto Real; witness Sao Joachim villagers making palm oil; drive to Terreiro Velho, a chocolate plantation with stunning surroundings; or relax on white-sand beaches after a hike through pristine rain forest.
Day 16 : At Sea (B,L,D)
Cruise in the Gulf of Guinea.
Day 17 : COTONOU | PORTO-NOVO | COTONOU, Benin
The small country of Benin, home to an ancient sophisticated culture, is emerging as a popular travel destination. From the port of Cotonou, drive to the nearby capital Porto-Novo, set on green hills surrounding a large lagoon. Formerly the center of an indigenous prosperous kingdom, it later became the capital of the French colony of Dahomey. Explore this pleasant city, including visits to the Ethnography Museum, the restored palace of King Toffa and the Handicraft Center. After lunch, board local motorboats for a ride across Lake Nokoué to the picturesque fishing village of Ganvié, built on stilts.
Day 18 : TEMA | ACCRA | TEMA, Ghana
Accra, Ghana’s sprawling capital, vibrates with energy and an air of excitement and industry. While in the city, visit the excellent crafts market, which showcases the best of local artisans throughout the region, as well as the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography. Also enjoy a series of traditional cultural and musical performances at Accra’s Labadi Beach.
Day 19 : TAKO RADI and the GOLD COAST
The stretch of coastline near Takoradi is one of West Africa’s most scenic, often referred to as the “Castle Coast” for the string of forts and castles that line its shores. On a full-day excursion, tour the Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and its Museum. At Elmina, see the colorful fishing harbor and historic St. George’s Castle, the oldest extant colonial building in sub-Saharan Africa, built before the discovery of the New World, on a rocky promontory facing the sea. You will also have the opportunity to visit nearby Kakum National Park, one of the most extensive rainforest habitats in Ghana, featuring a series of canopy walkways that reveal the rainforest’s ecosystems.
Days 20-21 : AT SEA
Cruise along the Gold, Ivory, and Grain Coasts, and attend lectures and enjoy relaxing on board.
Day 22 : FREETOWN, Sierra Leone
Explore Freetown, Sierra Leone’s capital, including the newly refurbished Sierra Leone Museum, St. George’s Cathedral, and colorful markets. Also visit Regent Village with its 19th-century Krio-style houses.
Day 23 : AT SEA
Our lecture series continues as the ship cruises toward Dakar, Senegal.
Day 24 : DAKAR, Senegal
Experience African arts and culture at Dakar’s IFAN Museum (Institut Fondamental d’Afrique Noir) or visit the artisan market. Take a ferry to UNESCO landmark Gorée, the notorious “Slave Island.”
Day 25 : NOUAKCHOTT, Mauritania
Built in the traditional Berber style, Nouakchott is the capital of the only nation governed by a nomadic people. Its markets teem with silver, carpets, and Berber handicrafts.
Day 26 : AT SEA
Cruise towards Dakhla
Day 27 : DAKHLA, Western Sahara
The southernmost town of the Western Sahara area, Dakhla is located on a long peninsula jutting into the Atlantic. Capital of the old Spanish colony Rio de Oro, and known until 1975 as Villa Cisneros, Dakhla is now mostly populated by Moroccans and tribesmen who previously lived in the desert. Whitewashed houses and low-rise buildings characterize this easygoing and friendly town, just north of the Tropic of Cancer.
Day 28 : LAAYOUNE
From the port of El Marsa, drive inland across Saharan dunes to reach Laayoune, the main city in Morocco’s Western Sahara and an area that was held by Spain until 1975. On a tour of this decidedly unique settlement, explore the Spanish-Saharan architecture of the Souk ez Saj, the city’s old district; the Museum of Traditional Arts; and the Artisans Center, with its workshops for jewelry, metal, wood and other crafts. After visiting a nearby oasis, where keepers will put on an elaborate Saharan tea show, end the day with a thrilling drive in the dunes through late afternoon light, ideal for photographers.
Day 29 : AT SEA
Relax on board as the ship cruises toward Morocco.
Days 30-31 : AGADIR, Morocco | TAROUDANT | MARRAKECH | CASABLANCA
Disembark in Morocco’s Agadir and drive to Taroudant, an elegant, walled city that was once the capital of Morocco. After exploring this characteristic city, continue through the impressive scenery of the High Atlas Mountains to fabled Marrakech. One of Morocco’s Imperial Capitals, Marrakech was founded in the 11th century. During our stay, we will explore the city’s principal monuments. Spend the night of April 30 at the famed Hotel La Mamounia and fly to Casablanca on the afternoon of May 1 to rejoin the ship.
Day 32 : CASABLANCA | RABAT
From Casablanca, drive to elegant Rabat, Morocco’s capital. Tour its Medina, home to colorful souks, the evocative Kasbah des Oudaias, and the Chellah Citadel. Alternatively, spend the day in Casablanca to explore this cosmopolitan city.
Day 33 : GIBRALTAR
Like the Cape of Good Hope, Gibraltar is one of the world’s great sea landmarks and has guided mariners for centuries. Explore this remnant of the British Empire, before sailing through the strait to Seville.
Day 34 : SEVILLE, Spain
Disembark and transfer to the airport for return flights
-Please note the following fuel surcharge information:
*$180/person for departures from Sept-Oct 11, 2008
*$250/person for departures from Oct 11-Dec 22, 2008
*$275/person for all Antarctic departures, Dec 2008 - March 2009.
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double occupancy.
- A limited number of cabins have been designated for single travelers in Categories D - A. Supplement depends on particular voyage; contact us for details. Singles in categories AA - PHS are available at double the per person, double occupancy rates.
Prices are based on a 3% cash discount.
Ship Description: Corinthian II
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Corinthian II Ship
The distinguished 114-guest Corinthian II offers a classic yacht-like atmosphere and fine accommodations. Corinthian II is ice-strengthened for voyages into Antarctic waters, and is equipped with a fleet of Zodiac inflatable craft for forays ashore. Originally built in 1992 and refurbished in 2005, Corinthian II accommodates all guests in 57 outside suites, each affording sea views and elegantly appointed with a sitting area, TV, mini-refrigerator, safe, and other amenities as well as a marble bathroom. Several suites include private balconies accessed via sliding glass doors. Spacious and finely decorated public areas include a library stocked with books related to the itinerary and other volumes, and four computer terminals for e-mail access; an elegant lounge; and The Club, a space for convivial relaxation, with picture windows for panoramic views. The restaurant, serving fine cuisine prepared by European chefs, accommodates all guests at a single unassigned seating. The ship also includes a gym, beauty salon, a sun deck with Jacuzzi, and an outdoor café and bar, where meals may be served al fresco. Corinthian II is served by 70 experienced European officers and crew. There is also an elevator offering access to all decks.
Cabin Categories & Descriptions
All accommodations aboard Corinthian II are suites. They face outside, affording sea views, and several have balconies with sliding doors. All suites include a bedroom with twin or queen-size beds, sitting area, ample closet space, mini-refrigerator, TV, marble-appointed bathroom with shower, and other amenities.
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Cat E Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 250 - 252 |
Cat D Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 225 sq. ft. Suites 329-332 |
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Cat C Deluxe suites on Magellan Deck with portholes and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 254 - 262 |
Cat B Deluxe suites on Columbus Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 333 - 348 |
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Cat A Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with window and sitting area. 235 sq. ft. Suites 416 - 428 |
Cat AA Deluxe suites on Marco Polo Deck with forward and side windows and sitting area. 265 sq. ft. Suites 414 - 415 |
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Cat VS Deluxe Veranda Suites on Erickson Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 300 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 505 - 512 |
Cat PHS Deluxe Penthouse Suites on Explorer Deck with private balcony and sitting area. 400 sq. ft. (including balcony) Suites 601 - 604 |
