E-mail a friendShip: National Geographic Endeavour
Itinerary: Atlantic Odyssey
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Whale breaching near the ship
cabins & deck plans | additional itineraries | cancellation policy
| Day 1 : | Arrive Lisbon. Embark |
|---|---|
| Day 2 : | At Sea |
| Days 3-4 : | Funchal, Madiera, Portugal |
| Days 5-6 : | La Palma & La Gomera, Canary Islands |
| Days 7-8 : | At Sea |
| Days 9-10 : | Cape Verde Islands |
| Days 11-15 : | Sail the Atlantic Ocean/Equator Crossing |
| Day 16 : | At Sea/Salvador, Brazil (B,L,D) |
| Day 17 : | Return Home |
| Click for full itinerary |
| Days | Dates | Deck + Cabin Type | |||||||
| Cat 1 | Cat 1 Single | Cat 2 | Cat 2 Single | Cat 3 | Cat 4 | Cat 4 Single | Suites | ||
| 17 | Sep 21, 2008 | $5,990 | $7,490 | $6,530 | $8,160 | $7,440 | $7,990 | $9,990 | $10,380 |
| Destinations : Africa, Brazil, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Europe, Portugal, South America Activities : Cultural Activities, Modern History, Nature Viewing, Photography, Whale Watching, Wine Tasting |
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Experience a leisurely, old-style crossing as we sail from the heart of Old World Lisbon, lively capital of Portugal and historic point of departure for her great maritime explorers of Renaissance times: Bartholomew Diaz and Vasco da Gama, Cabral and Magellan. As our Atlantic Odyssey heads westward in the wake of Columbus, we make our first landfall in Madeira, famed for its wine and sub-tropical vegetation. Next we seek out the less visited islands of the Canaries, an archipelago known to the ancients as the Fortunate Islands. The volcanic Cape Verde Islands, our next destination, is well off the beaten track, with a landscape that amazed and excited Darwin when he made his first land excursion there from HMS Beagle. It has changed remarkably little since then! After crossing the tropical ocean, with our Naturalists watching out for marine life and a full program of presentations on the history, geology and marine life of the Atlantic Ocean, we enter the beautiful natural harbor of Salvador, on Brazil’s spectacular Atlantic coast. Here, a lively melting-pot culture has evolved from the three continents encompassed by this unique voyage, which promises to provide constantly fresh perspectives and the exhilarating, legendarily tonic effect of ocean airs and skies.
Day 1 : Arrive Lisbon. Embark
Arrive this morning in Lisbon, Portugal’s capital city. Before lunch there is time for a scenic overview of the city’s 17th-century architecture and tiled roofs, including the Monastery of Jeronimos and the Belem Tower, a World Heritage Site. Embark National Geographic Endeavour. (L,D)
Day 2 : At Sea
During our first day at sea, we have a chance to relax and settle in to shipboard life. Prepare for Madeira by brushing up on the Age of Exploration with talks from our staff. (B,L,D)
Days 3-4 : Funchal, Madiera, Portugal
First settled by the Portuguese in 1418, Madeira’s enchanting scenery, abundant flora and equable climate have made it a subtropical Eden. Arrive in Funchal, the capital, which has the feeling of an open-air museum with its 15th through 18th-century architecture and winding streets. Stroll the colorful marketplace, explore the Botanical Gardens and the Museum of Sacred Art. Then see a performance of authentic Fado singing and have a traditional lunch, sampling Madeira’s legendary namesake wine, prized by connoisseurs. (B,L,D)
Days 5-6 : La Palma & La Gomera, Canary Islands
Known to ancient geographers as the Fortunate Islands, these agriculturally rich islands have occupied a central place in the history of Atlantic exploration. The larger island of Las Palmas is known as isla bonita, the “pretty isle,” for its lushly forested mountain slopes set against azure waters. There is indeed something bewitching in the beauty of this landscape. We head up to La Mirador de La Concepcion on the edge of a small crater for beautiful views overlooking the town, and visit the Church of Our Lady of the Snows, with its fusion of Baroque and Spanish-Moorish architecture. (B,L,D) On the unspoiled island of La Gomera, we visit the house in which Columbus lived as his ships took supplies. (A local delicacy, smoked goat’s cheese, dates from this time.) We spend time at the Parque Nacional de Garajonay to hike and stretch our legs. (B,L,D)
Days 7-8 : At Sea
Crossing the Tropic of Cancer (B,L,D)
Days 9-10 : Cape Verde Islands
During the eighteenth century, when the Atlantic slave trade was at its height, tens of thousands of African slaves crossed the Atlantic annually. The Cape Verde Islands, some 600 miles off the coast of West Africa, were central to this story. Originally a Portuguese base for assembling slaves, the present population is descended from Africans captured for slavery, intermarried with the Portuguese slave traders. Today it is one of the world’s smallest independent nations, whose rich traditions link to three continents. The island of Santo Antao has an impressive variety of landscapes: terraced hillsides reminiscent of Asian landscapes and valleys sometimes so deep and green that it’s difficult to differentiate the bottom. We drive through cypress and eucalyptus forest to explore Ribeira Grande, one of the greenest valleys. (B,L,D) On the island of Fogo—Portuguese for “fire”—we take a breathtaking drive over 5,000 feet up into the caldera of the volcano that gives the island its name. We have the unique opportunity to sample the local wine at its source: inside the caldera of the ancient volcano! (B,L,D)
Days 11-15 : Sail the Atlantic Ocean/Equator Crossing
Upon leaving the Cape Verdes, we cross the equator and celebrate our passage into the southern hemisphere. During your days at sea, plan to engage in a variety of activities. Reading in the ship’s library, searching for whales and dolphins, enjoying a rejuvenating massage with our licensed therapist, working out in the gym, listening to talks from our Expedition Team, learning about marine exploration from our Undersea Specialist—or simply relaxing. (B,L,D)
Day 16 : At Sea/Salvador, Brazil (B,L,D)
Day 17 : Return Home
Salvador marks the completion of our odyssey. We disembark and explore the city’s European, African and native Brazilian influences as seen in the pastel-colored baroque buildings and narrow streets of the Old City. After lunch, we head to the airport for an overnight flight home. (B,L)
-Rates are quoted in U.S. dollars and represent costs per person, double. Request the Twin Share Program where you are matched with a cabin mate of the same gender for the Category 1 and 2 cabins. Even if a cabinmate is not found for you, no single supplement will be charged.
-50% off standard double rate for third traveler in Category 3 cabins
-Kids under age 18 save $500 per person
- FUEL SURCHARGE of $10/day
Ship Description: National Geographic Endeavour
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MS Endeavor
Don’t let her accommodating public and private spaces, the posh quiet and rich collection of books in her Library, or the lavish observation space on her decks fool you — the National Geographic Endeavour is an expedition ship, designed for discovery and active exploration, not just passive passing-by. The Endeavour heads out equipped with a fleet of Zodiacs, enabling us to make landfall in all the remote and riveting locations that beckon — and to make a somewhat dashing "entrance" in a host of coastal towns and cities! We offer kayaking opportunities wherever possible and frequent walks or hikes. We can set a pace for more demanding walkers and simultaneously provide a rewarding experience for strollers, too. There’s no age limit to our adventurous opportunities — anyone who feels fit and is interested is welcome to participate. And because navigation is an underlying theme, our "Open Bridge" policy will provide you with one of the more gratifying memories of the many you’ll make. It is simply magical to stand on the bridge during your Antarctica travels, watching your highly skilled Captain guide his crack crew up to a bird wall of astonishing proportions for a no-binoculars-necessary view, or navigate a narrow and charming river The spontaneity and flexibility that characterizes our expedition style means there is literally something new to experience and enjoy daily on our Antarctica cruises.
Public Areas: Lounge with bar and facilities for films, slide shows and lectures; Library; Swimming Pool; Fitness Center; Sauna; Hair Salon; Gift Shop; Bridge.
Meals: Served in one seating with unassigned tables for an informal atmosphere and easy mingling.
Cabins: All cabins are above the waterline and face outside with windows or portholes. Each has private facilities, radio and climate controls.
Special Features: Zodiac landing craft, sea kayaks, snorkeling gear, Undersea Specialist, high-tech underwater equipment, on board Video Chronicler, guest e-mail station, certified massage therapist, laundry service and the services of a full-time doctor.
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Cat 1 Main Deck: #221, 224 A Deck: #309-311, 314-316, 352, 353, 355, 357 All cabins feature lower beds, a writing desk and a porthole. |
Cat 1 Single Sole Occupancy: A Deck #312, 318, 354, 356 All cabins have a writing desk and a porthole. Single cabins have one lower bed. |
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Cat 2 Upper Deck: #122, 125 (both with large view window) Main Deck: #201-204, 206, 208, 210-212, 214-218, 220 Double cabins have two lower beds and two portholes. All cabins have a writing desk. Note: Cabins #208, 210 - Two twin beds can covert to one double |
Cat 2 Single Sole Occupancy: #205, 219, 222 All cabins have a writing desk. Single cabins have one lower bed. |
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Cat 3 Main Deck: #209 A Deck: #300, 350, 351 These spacious cabins comfortably accommodate two or three people if desired, all with at least two lower beds and two portholes. Each has a separate sleeping and sitting area. |
Cat 4Upper Deck: #102, 104-112, 114-116, 118, 120, 121, 123 Convenient Upper Deck cabins feature two lower beds and a writing desk. Most have two large windows. Note: Cabins #111, 114, 117, 118 - Two twin beds can covert to one double bed. |
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Cat 4 Single Sole Occupancy: #124, 126, 127 Convenient Upper Deck cabins feature one lower bed and a writing desk. Most have two large windows. |
Suites Upper Deck: #117, 129 These are the finest accommodations on board. Suites have separate sleeping and sitting areas, convertible sofa to accommodate a third person and large view windows. |
