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Peregrine Travel Centre

From Portugal to Portsmouth – the Wild West Coast of Europe

From Portugal to Portsmouth – the Wild West Coast of Europe

From USD $6,195

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Description

From Lisbon, the legendary Portuguese capital, along the wild western fringes of Europe to the heart of England, this voyage has something for everyone!
Join a thrilling voyage onboard Ocean Albatros, our purpose-built expedition ship. Sail in the wake of European travellers of ages gone by and explore the lesser-visited sides of Portugal, Spain, France and England. 
Your voyage begins in the spellbinding Portuguese capital of Lisbon, where fado music drifts out of bars serving green wine, and streetcars trundle along the streets. Next we visit the legendary city of Porto, home of port wine and the heartland of Portuguese culture before visiting the ancient city of A Coruña, where ancient stone walls guard the city, and a millennia-old lighthouse guards the seas of the verdant region of Galicia. 
Next, we visit the fortress town of Concarneau in the heart of Brittany, where we will experience a vibrant mix of French and Breton culture, before crossing the English Channel to the Scilly Isles, England’s garden islands. From Scilly, we will sail along the south coast of England, a land of quaint harbour towns, brooding fortress cities, ancient Jurassic fossils and staggering coastal scenery, before finishing in Portsmouth, the vibrant home of the Royal Navy. 
From verdant gardens to ancient monuments, from cultural capitals to truly unique and off-the-beaten-track villages, this voyage is Europe as it was meant to be experienced. Experience with us! 

Trip Name
From Portugal to Portsmouth - the Wild West Coast of Europe
Days
9
Overview
Vessel Type: Luxury Expedition Passenger Capacity: 169 (95 cabins) Length: 104.4 m Built: 2022 The Ocean Albatros, sistership to the Ocean Victory, will join the fleet of Albatros Expeditions in November 2022. The Ocean Albatros will be deployed to a large selection of expedition cruise destinations, Antarctica, the Arctic, any various exciting new destinations in between. With a total of 95 comfortable staterooms and suites, all with unobstructed sea view, most with their own balcony, the Ocean Albatros will definitely become one of the most popular expedition cruise vessels in the world. Like it's sistership the Ocean Victory it offers two restaurants, a wellness area, an Albatros Nordic Bar, an open deck dining facility, a modern lecture lounge, and other state-of-the-art amenities.  The vessel will have more than a 50% lower carbon footprint than traditional expedition vessels and be one of the most environmentally friendly, implementing the Green Initiative Program, ensuring both absolute comfort and sustainability for our guests. Unlike the Ocean Victory, the Ocean Albatros will also offer a unique panorama sauna, and a total of 12 dedicated solo travel cabins without a single-supplement. BRIDGE Due to its important role as a control center for all nautical and technical processes, the ship's bridge is a vital, sensitive place. Therefore, the bridge may not be accessible to the public at all times. Conditions permitting, we will be happy to welcome you into the bridge for a visit. Guests must be accompanied by the master or our expedition leader. STATEROOM SERVICE Your stateroom is serviced daily. We provide a turn-down service. We provide meal to room only for serious cases of guest being sick. Our suites will have VIP services. ZODIAC LANDINGS One feature of our expedition cruises includes landings and excursions aboard Ocean Albatros's fleet of 18 inflatable, motorized rubber "Zodiac" boats. The Zodiac brand has earned a well-deserved reputation as the sturdiest and safest small watercraft available. These boats have a low draft and great stability. Zodiacs are constructed for professional use and are outfitted with a top-quality outboard engine, yet their design minimally impacts the environment. The Zodiacs are designed to provide unrestricted access to the world’s last great frontier. Their versatility enables us to make landfall on remote shores, cruise along awe-inspiring coastlines and share breathtakingly close encounters with whales, seals, penguins, seabirds and more. We will come within arm’s reach of icebergs and set foot on land discovered by pioneering explorers just over a century ago. Your safety and comfort are our #1 priority, and your expedition leader will carefully plan for as many Zodiac excursions as possible, dependent upon the local weather and prevailing conditions. In each case, the expedition leader makes the final decision if the landing is possible or not. Safety regulations apply on landings. All guests receive a mandatory instruction of the safety guidelines. Life jackets are mandatory to wear. Please note, we highly recommend the use of waterproof bags in order to protect your personal camera or binoculars, as both hands must be free of everything during boarding. Participation is fairly easy and comfortable for able-bodied guests but can be more challenging for those with physical handicaps. GRATUITIES Following international standards in the service industry, it is customary to leave gratuity for the ship’s crew at the end of the voyage. All gratuities will be divided among the crew. Typically, a recommended amount is approximately 13.5 USD per person per day. Gratuity is, of course, not required and any gratuity payments are voluntary. DRESS CODE The dress code on board is casual. Ties, jackets and evening dresses you may leave at home. It is rather more important to wear the right clothes in order to adapt to the different weather conditions. We recommend comfortable, breathable, waterproof and windproof clothing. Also, you should have a pair of gloves, thermal underwear and sturdy footwear in your luggage. For the captains and farewell cocktail, we recommend a smart casual dress style. INTERNET / PHONE Keep in mind, we will be cruising in a very remote region of the world. Where accessible, internet access is available for an extra charge. Mobile phone reception may be possible in select regions along our route. For further details please contact your mobile phone operator. Prices can be found in the information folder in your state room. Please ensure that your ‘Data Roaming’ function is switched off. RECEPTION The daily office hours of the board reception are from 06:00 until 23:00. ALBATROS OCEAN SHOP The selection of items available for purchase varies by ship, and may include a range of warm and practical clothing, as well as souvenirs, local arts and postcards at reasonable prices. A small selection of soap, toothpaste and other personal effects are also sold. HEALTH / MEDICAL EMERGENCY Each of our vessels has a small medical facility equipped with the necessary equipment and medicine to handle small emergencies. The infirmary is always staffed by a professionally licensed, English-speaking physician and nurse. Should a serious incident occur, the nearest hospital will be contacted. All guests must have personal travel/health insurance. Although we do not have an official requirement regarding personal fitness, you should be able to move on board and ashore without the help of others. Please be aware that the ship does not provide wheelchair accessible state rooms. Due to safety reasons a cruise is only possible for pregnant women until the 24th week of pregnancy. The state of pregnancy must be presented by a medical certificate. PHYSICAL DISABILITIES / WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY Guests with physical disabilities are recommended to travel with an accompanying person. The processes on board should be handled without external help. The gangway can be – depending on the individual disability – a challenge. The angle of inclination of the gangway varies due to tide and different circumstances in the respective port. Please note that the guest’s participation in shore excursions as well as the (dis-)embarkation by Zodiac can be denied by the expedition leader due to security reasons. The instructions of the expedition leader must be followed. The ship is not suitable for wheelchairs. SEASICKNESS / STABILISATORS The ship is equipped with stabilizers in order to reduce the ship’s roll. However, these expeditions are hosted in remote regions, and it is possible to periodically encounter changing environments and climate patterns, including rough seas and large swells. Seasickness patches (Scopoderm or similar) work solely or in part to help cure nausea for most people. These medicines can cause sleepiness. If you are prone to motion sickness, consult with your doctor prior to departure to help ensure your comfort while travelling. SPECIAL DIETARY REQUESTS All meals on board the vessel is chef-prepared. If you have special dietary requirements (food allergies, intolerances, health conditions or religious preferences), please inform us as early as possible - ideally, no later than 2 weeks before departure. In order to ensure efficient service, please re-confirm your requirements with the crew upon boarding the ship. LAUNDRY If you wish to have some laundry done while aboard the ship, laundry service is available for an additional fee.

Itinerary



Day 1 - Day 1 Lisbon, Portugal - Embarkation
Straddling the hills at the mouth of the river Tagus, the Portuguese capital of Lisbon needs little introduction. The city's history stretches back thousands of years, encompassing occupation by the Phoenicians, Romans, Visigoths, the Islamic Umayyad Caliphate and a succession of Christian kingdoms, before being officially proclaimed the capital of the Kingdom of Portugal in 1256. After Athens, Lisbon is the second oldest European capital, pre-dating latecomers like London, Paris and Madrid by centuries. It is the westernmost city on the European mainland, and has for centuries been the base for expeditions to far-flung corners of the world, as it does for our guests! MV Ocean Albatros awaits our guests in the city's harbour. After the mandatory safety briefing and drill, enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail on the outer decks as we sail of of this magnificent city, bound for the wild western coasts of northern Europe. 
Day 2 - Day 2 Leixões/Porto, Portugal
Situated on the northern side of the city of Porto, Leixões is Portugal's second largest and busiest sea port, constructed to relieve pressure on the city's ancient center. And what a city center it is! Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, Porto is one of the finest examples of a preserved historic city anywhere on Earth, with monuments, ancient buildings and other architectural marvels at every turn. Porto straddles a deep gorge, formed where the River Douro - the largest in Iberia by output - flows into the sea. Here, warm air masses from inland meet cool breezes off the Atlantic ocean, creating the perfect climate, with sunny summer days tempered by fresh ocean air. The city's golden beaches are exposed to the open Atlantic ocean, and the vast ocean swells here attract surfers and adrenaline seekers from around the world. However, this majestic city has so much more to offer than the beach; despite its small size compared to many European cities, Porto plays an ourside role in world history. It was here that marriage sealed the military alliance of Portugal and England in 1387 - an alliance as strong today as it was 650 years ago. Ships laid down in Porto were among the first to sail down the coast of West Africa, beginning Portugal's role in the Age of Exploration (including, sadly, it's role in Transatlantic Slavery). Founded on commerce, it is no surprise that the city's most beautiful buildings cluster at the docksides of the River Douro. Today, these ancient docks are loomed over by a vast iron bridge, connecting the northern and southern sides of the city, and the hilltops above are crowned by some of the oldest and best preserved buildings in Europe, such as Porto Cathedral. 
Day 3 - Day 3 A Coruña, Galicia, Spain
On a narrow spit of land a the northwestern tip of the Spanish mainland sits the city of A Coruña, one of the largest and most culturally important cities in Galicia. A Coruña has been a port city long before the Romans arrived in this part of Europe, and the pre-Roman Celtic roots of the region are strong. In the verdant hills above the city, thatched roundhouses, unchanges since the Iron Age look out over the Bay of Biscay - many now swanky cabins and holiday homes. When the Romans arrived in A Coruña, they set about improving the city port, and laid the foundations of the modern city. In doing so they constructed one of the city's most famous landmarks, the Torre de Hércules (Tower of Hercules), a fifty-five metre tall lighthouse, which still stands proud guarding the city's shipping lanes almost two thousand years later. The area surrounding it is today a popular local park, where coruñeses stroll in the footsteps of their ancestors. The old city of A Coruña forms the core of the modern city, and sections of the ancient walls constructed in the medieval period (to keep out Viking mauranders from the North, and Moorish slavers from the South) still surround the narrow streets. The climate of Galicia is heavily influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, and the city experiences far more rain than the majority of Spain. Even the buildings in the city reflect the climate. Lining the waterfront are galería style balconies; glazed verandas with retractable glass panes, originally modelled on warship towers, they are considered essential in the region's wet climate. A Coruña's mild climate makes it a popular getaway spot for Spaniards fleeing the fierce summer heat of the interior. However, its position controlling several vital European chipping lanes have meant foreigners have visited the city since time immemorial - the city was the main entry point by sea for pilgrims on their way to the sacred city of Santiago de Compostela. While these holy journeys continue to this day, foreign visitors are more commonly found enjoying the gentle warmth on the city beaches, soaking up the atmosphere in the cafe-lined Plaza María Pita, or strolling along the Paseo Maritímo, the city's spectacular nine kilometre promenade which passes all the major sights in town - definitely the place to be! 
Day 4 - Day 4 At sea, en route to Concarneau
Between Galicia and Brittany lies the Bay of Biscay. Sailors of old would whisper of this infamous seaway, which is home to some of the Atlantic Ocean's most ferocious winter weather. Thankfully, modern advances in maritime technology have tamed these infamous waters! With direct access to the Bay of Biscay from Spain, France and Britain, these waters have seen some of the most dramatic naval engagements in history. It was here that the British and Spanish Armadas clashed during the age of exploration, and where warships have sunk to Davy Jones locker during both World Wars. Thankfully, the bay today is a peaceful place, home to a multitide of commercial shipping lanes, and criss-crossed by ferries. Days at sea are the perfect opportunity to relax and unwind and enjoy the onboard amenities aboard Ocean Alabtros. Work up a sweat in the gym, refresh with panoramic views in the sauna, or enjoy the ocean views from our hot tubs. The Bay of Biscay is world-renowned for its cetecean activity - in the middle of the bay lies a huge continental shelf, which drives nutrients from the deep ocean to the surface, creating a haven for marine wildlife. Dolphins, porpoise and whales are all commonly seen in the area, so be sure to grab your binoculars and join your expedition team on the outer decks! 
Day 5 - Day 5 Concarneau, Brittany, France
Standing proud in the Baie de La Forêt is the medieval walled city of Concarneau, one of Brittany's most historic towns. Steeped in Breton culture and rich in art and history, Concarneau enjoys one of the most beautiful natural settings in Europe, surrounded by golden beaches and rolling green hills. Concarneau sits in the heart of Brittany, the large peninsula in the northwest of France. As Roman power in Europe collapsed in the 4th Century, Britons from what is now Devon and Cornwall sailed to Brittany; more followed after the Anglo-Saxon invasions in the 5th and 6th Centuries. Their language evolved into modern Breton, a Celtic language closely related to Welsh, Gaelic and Irish, and radically different to French. The language declined due to government Francization policies in the 1800s, but is experiencing a vibrant revival - expect to see dual-language signs throughout the city. The exact origins of the walled city are lost to time, although the walls today were constructed during the 14th and 15ht Centuries, a period when England and France where almost constantly at war. After the French Revolution, the city attained its modern shape, with new houses lining the bay surrounding the walled island city. One of the most popular destinations in Brittany, the old town is a maze of cobbled streets, walls and independent shops and cafes - all lovingly restored during the 2010s. The modern port surrounding the walled city is home to one of France's largest artisanal fishing fleet - taste the catch of the day in one of the many local restauratns lining the quayside.  
Day 6 - Day 6 Scilly Isles, England, United Kingdom
A cluster of granite islands and skerries 45km southeast of Cornwall, the Scilly Isles are the southernmost part of the United Kingdom. Green, lush and verdant, these welcoming islands are a veritable garden, kept warm and moist by the Gulf Stream.  The main settlement of Hugh Town on the island of St Mary's is our morning destination. A beautiful and quiant town, Hugh Town houses the majority of the islands' population. Star Castle, a 16th Century fortress looms over the narrow winding streets of the town, which are lined with independent shops, cozy cafes and welcoming pubs. During the afternoon, we will visit the island of Tresco, the second largest of the islands. The whole island can be walked in a few hours, and is home to fewer than two hundred people. Without doubt the most famous attraction in the islands exists on Tresco - the world-famous Abbey Gardens. Built around the ruins of a medieval Benedictine abbey, these stunning gardens were established by Augustus Smith in the 19th Century. The warm humid climate of Scilly provides the perfect habitat for hundreds of species of plants from around the world, many of which can grow nowhere else in the UK. Golden pheasants strut around the overgrowing flowerbeds, and medieval archways, modernist sculptures brimming planters and bubbling fountains are around every turn! This veritable Eden also holds the Valhalla Museum, a collection of figureheads from vessels wrecked around the islands. Arguably the most spectacular garden in the United Kingdom, it is a highlight not to be missed!  
Day 7 - Day 7 Fowey, England, United Kingdom
Fowey is a small town on the southern coast of England, in the county of Cornwall. Named for the river of the same name, the town sits between the rolling green hills of cornwall and the calm waters of the English Channel, the town was once a notable haunt for smugglers and pirates, raiding passing ships and sneaking luxuries such as tea, tobacco and liquor into England. During the Victorian period however, the advent of the railways brought a new demographic to the town - sun-seeking tourists, looking to enjoy the clean seas and fresh air away from the industrial grime of the big cities. Rambling mansions and hotels line the waterfront, and restaurants and cafes tempt visitors in with locally produced delicacies. While the town lacks the beaches of some Cornish resorts, its perfect harbour makes it a magnet for watersports enthusiasts, who can choose between the calm river or the open sea. Fowey is the ideal gateway to Cornwall. Nearby attractions include the vast tropical greenhouses of the Eden Project, famous resort towns such as Padstow and Newquay, and of course, the stunning vistas of the Cornish coast - undoubtedly some of the most beautiful in the UK! 
Day 8 - Day 8 Portland, England, UK
Linked to the English mainland by a narrow causeway, the Isle of Portland stands proudly in the English Channel, guarding some of the world's busiest seaways. Portland is backed by the enormous Chesil Beach, which at 28km in length is the longest beach in Britain, and also shields a freshwater lagoon (the Fleet) - a vital habitat for wildlife and a Ramsar wetland. The region is part of the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site world-renowned for its incredible geology and fossil finds. Indeed, Portland is perhaps best known for the local Portland stone (a limestone) which is used in legendary buildings including St Paul's Cathedral and the United Nations Headquarters. The town of Portland lies at the heart of a vast lagoon, formed by a series of breakwaters. Its strategic position made it a vital naval base  during both World Wars, and its sheltered waters today make it a haven for watersports enthusiasts. The southernmost tip of the island holds the legendary Portland Bill lighthouse, a hotspot for birders looking for migratory species, which undoubtedly boasts the best views on the island. Portland is a town which has has to reinvent itself many times, from quarrying settlement to smugglers hotspot, from naval base to fortress town, and today to one of the most popular summer destinations in England. Boasting beaches on three sides, nowhere offers better access to the sea, while the modern road link allows easy access to the mainland to explore the length of England's Jurassic Coast. 
Day 9 - Day 9 Portsmouth, England - Disembarkation
Sitting in the calm waters of the Solent, Portsmouth is undoubtedly the leading port city of the United Kingdom. A stone's throw from London on the south coast of England, the city of Portsmouth covers the whole of Portsea Island - the most densely populated island in the UK. Situated at the heart of a vast network of waterways, Portmouth has played a key role in British maritime history; legendary ships such as the Mary Rose, the Challenger Expedition and Nelson's Trafalgar fleet all sailed from this port. Portmouth today is a busy and bustling city, a hub for vast container ships bringing cargo from all over the world, fleets of ferries sailing to Europe, and the only scheduled hovercraft service in the world (the fastest route to the Isle of Wight). On the final day of your voyage, bid a fond farewell to the Officers and Crew of the Ocean Albatros as you disembark towards your next adventure. 
Day 10 - Please note:
Itineraries are subject to change.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
25-04-202503-05-2025USD $6,195Category F Stateroom - Triple Stateroom (Porthole)
25-04-202503-05-2025USD $7,195Category D Stateroom - Albatros Stateroom (Porthole)
25-04-202503-05-2025USD $7,195Category C Stateroom - Balcony Stateroom
25-04-202503-05-2025USD $7,695Category E Stateroom - French Balcony Stateroom
25-04-202503-05-2025USD $9,095Category G Stateroom - Single Stateroom (Porthole)
25-04-202503-05-2025USD $10,295Category B Suite - Balcony Suite
25-04-202503-05-2025USD $13,195Category A Suite - Junior Suite
25-04-202503-05-2025USD $14,795Premium Suite - Freydis Suite
25-04-202503-05-2025USD $14,795Family Suite - Brynhilde Suite

Inclusions

    • Explore Lisbon's ancient history, from the Phoenicians to the Age of Exploration, before setting sail on your adventure.
    • Wander through Porto's UNESCO World Heritage city center, rich with history and stunning views over the River Douro.
    • Stroll the lush Scilly Isles' Abbey Gardens, a unique sub-tropical paradise in the United Kingdom.

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