P&O Cruises Ocean Cruises: 22 nights from Southampton with Arcadia
Jan 6, 2026

Lisbon

Perched on steep slopes overlooking the Rio Tejo, Lisbon offers all the pleasures one would expect from Portugal's main attraction. The capital of Portugal, Lisbon (Lisboa in Portuguese) has experienced a great development in recent years, with a thriving contemporary culture. Perched on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Lisbon is one of the rare European cities that faces the ocean and uses water as a defining element of the city. Lisbon enchants travellers with its white limestone buildings, intimate alleys and an old-world charm that makes it a popular year-round destination.

Funchal

The famous Portuguese poet, Júlio Dinis described Funchal as: ‘The sea on one side, the mountains on the other and between these two majestic splendours, the city smiles like a sleeping child, safe and warm, between its parents’. Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira is the soul of Portugal. Settlers over 500 years ago were attracted to this sheltered place, which is structured like a natural ‘amphitheatre’. Gentle slopes, abundant greenery and flowers, rise above the pretty harbour for almost 1,200 metres. The port is located 15-minute walk from the city center, in Funchal's magnificent bay with its sparkling blue waters. Due to its strategic mid-Atlantic location, Madeira has been a stopover point for ocean-going ships for many years.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the capital of Tenerife, is located in the north-east of the island. Its pleasent climate and commercial areas make the city the perfect place for walking and enjoying long hours of relaxation. There are lots of things to visit in the city such as its avenues, parks and Henry Moore's most famous sculptures, hidden treasures and historic buildings such as the Church of the Conception or the Carta Palace.

Do not miss the opportunity to taste local cuisine. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is a beautiful port located in Tenerife, the largest of the western islands of the Canary Islands archipelago. In the area around the port, there are wide avenues, squares, exotic green areas and some examples of modern architecture. At the heart of the city, near the sea, there is Plaza de España, built in the mid-20th century and once the site of the San Cristobal Castle (16th century).

The oldest part of the city is rich in religious monuments. The construction of the Church of San Francisco, one of the best examples of the Baroque style, began in the 17th century. The Church of Pilar, dated back to the 18th century, stands on the remains of an ancient temple. The city has also some green areas filled with exotic tree species. The Garcia Sanabria Park houses an important outdoor Sculpture Museum.

Another not to be missed place is the Maritime Park, a recreational area designed by architect César Manrique and located in the old Canary Islands commercial basin. Also known as the Black Castle, this circular defensive bastion was built in the first half of the 17th century with volcanic stones. From a naturalistic point of view, Tenerife is an island of contrasting landscapes. The wide beaches of fine sand in the south of the island give way to lush vegetation in the north.

Every year, the outfits of the island's capital prepare to host Carnival, declared International Tourist Interest and one of the most spectacular in Spain. Its privileged location makes it possible to enjoy beautiful beaches such as Las Teresitas, get to know the city of San Cristóbal de La Laguna, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, or visit Teide National Park, the symbol of the island.

Mindelo

Mindelo is a vibrant port city located on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde, an archipelago off the northwest coast of Africa. In the city, cultural vibrancy, historical significance, and natural beauty are mix perfectly together making Mindelo a unique and fascinating destination for tourists. The city is known as the cultural capital of Cape Verde. It has a rich tradition of music, particularly morna and coladeira, which are traditional Cape Verdean music genres.

The city is associated with the famous singer Cesária Évora. Cesária Évora was a Cape Verdean singer and probably the world's best-known morna singer. Her nickname was “barefoot diva” for her habit of performing barefoot. Mindelo hosts one of the most vibrant carnivals in the region, often compared to those in Brazil.

The event is a major draw for tourists and locals alike, featuring parades, music, dance, and elaborate costumes. Mindelo has a thriving art scene, with numerous galleries and markets where local artists and craftsmen display their work. The Mindelo Art Center is a notable venue for exhibitions and performances. The city's nightlife is lively, with numerous bars, restaurants, and clubs offering live music and entertainment, particularly in the historic center around Praça Estrela and Rua Lisboa.

Praia

Praia is the capital of the Republic of Cape Verde, located on the island of Santiago, the largest of the archipelago, west of Senegal. The country is divided into charming little unofficial districts, the most important are Plateau (centre), Achada, Varzea, Safende and Sucupira (bazaar area). At the Sucupira market, you can buy exotic souvenirs, such as Panu or Babosa land, as well as a variety of handicrafts. Its great strength is the port, which, in addition to its development and the fishing industry, allows the export of coffee, sugar cane and tropical fruit. Thanks to its pleasent climate, It is possible to visit the city all year round. Even during the so-called rainy season (from mid-August to mid-October), it can happen that there is no rainfall for weeks. Thanks to ocean currents, Cape Verde has the lowest temperatures of all West African countries. Cape Verdeans are very fond of music, especially zouk, Funana and local HipHop. They are able to dance energetically throughout the night and one can easily join in. The city has several colonial-era buildings. The main attractions in the city center include Albuquerque Square, the old town hall built in 1920, the presidential palace, built at the end of the 19th century, the Monument of Diogo Gomes, the Portuguese navigator who discovered the island of Santiago in 1460. Apart from those mentioned, its beautiful beaches and good nightlife make this place an idyllic destination.

Walvis Bay

Cape Town

In the heart of South Africa's breathtaking landscapes, there is a city shrouded in mystical aura and historical mysteries, and it’s Cape Town. This is a place where the grandeur of mountain peaks, endless beaches, and the turbulent ocean waters converge, create beauty and magic. Cape Town is graced by its iconic symbol – Table Mountain, which towers over the city like a guardian of ancient secrets and legends. Visitors can ascend this natural wonder to enjoy stunning views of the city and the Atlantic Ocean coastline.

Cape Town is also renowned for its cultural diversity. It attracts artists, musicians, and writers from all parts of the world, inspiring them with its unique atmosphere. The streets of Cape Town are vibrant with local markets, street art, and cafes offering dishes from various parts of Africa and the world. An interesting fact about Cape Town is its unique geography. The city is located at the southernmost tip of the continent, where the Table Bay is one of the largest and deepest natural harbors in the world. This makes it an ideal departure point for cruises along the Atlantic Ocean.

Cruises from Cape Town offer exciting journeys along the shores of South Africa, including stops at historic sites like Robben Island, where political prisoners of the apartheid era, including Nelson Mandela, were imprisoned. If you're interested in the underwater world, you can visit the largest aquarium in the Southern Hemisphere. For photography enthusiasts, we recommend the Bo-Kaap district, where houses are painted in vibrant colors.

Cruises from Cape Town also provide the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of South Africa's Western Cape, encountering wildlife and national parks, majestic waterfalls and endless beaches along the way. Cape Town not only impresses with its beauty and cultural heritage but also serves as the perfect starting point for thrilling cruise adventures, allowing guests to discover all the grandeur and diversity of this remarkable part of Africa.