Transatlantic Cultural Crossing with Morocco & Spain

Pricing based on departure date: 3 February 2028

Have It All™ Early Booking Bonus included: Save on top amenities, including crew appreciation, premium Wi-Fi, elite beverage package, up to $300 shore excursion credit, and specialty dining. 

An unhurried transatlantic crossing reaches Morocco’s storied Tangier, then Spain’s southern coast. In Málaga, tapas and Moorish influences set the tone before a Barcelona finish of art, markets, and Mediterranean cuisine.

Your journey across the ocean is as important as the destination. This itinerary feature plenty of carefree days at sea and unique port visits, giving you the perfect balance of relaxing on board and exploring on shore.

ITINERARY HIGHLIGHTS

Tangier, Morocco

Tangier is a place that descended from the gods—its hilly setting makes it one of the possible real-world locations for the mythical Pillars of Hercules that flanked the Strait of Gibraltar and guarded the entrance to the Mediterranean. It has been a bustling port since antiquity, repeatedly fought over by everyone from the Phoenicians to the Arabs. Today, Tangier is every bit a modern Moroccan city, but until recently its history as an international zone—it was periodically under the administration of several countries—attracted a libertine counterculture of artists, musicians and writers such as Henri Matisse (who was drawn by the dazzling quality of the light), Paul Bowles, Jack Kerouac and the Rolling Stones. Tangier now positions itself as a bridge between Europe and Africa, as well as the center of Morocco’s booming manufacturing industries. With a new port and a medina that’s been given a makeover, Tangier is the confident face of 21st-century Morocco—yet it’s still able to draw back the curtains far enough on its history to attract visitors.

Malaga, Spain

While Málaga was long considered just a stopover on the way to southern Spain’s Costa del Sol beach resorts, in recent years a buzz has developed around the Andalucian city. There is a brand-new $100 million port promenade filled with restaurants and a bold new branch of Paris’s Centre Pompidou built in the form of a colorful glass cube. A handful of other major new museums include one devoted to one of the city’s most famous sons, Pablo Picasso—it’s also the hometown of another famous Spanish export, actor Antonio Banderas. Where once many buildings were dilapidated, an entire swath of the historic center is now pedestrianized and filled with shoppers, diners and street musicians. Tapas bars with outdoor tables line the old town’s Calle Strachan, while all over Málaga a boom in fine dining is taking place. The city makes a fine base for day trips to many of Andalucía’s most famous sites. Unlike many southern Spanish cities, Málaga doesn’t really shut down over the hot summer months; its waterfront location helps keep temperatures from soaring to uncomfortable heights. The 10-day summer Feria is becoming more popular each year, drawing visitors with its calendar of bullfights as well as dancing and drinking—activities the city’s residents enjoy before and after the Feria too.

Cartagena, Spain

There are more than two millennia of history to embrace in this port city in Spain's southeastern Murcia region. While Cartagena is famously home to the second-largest Roman amphitheater on the Iberian Peninsula, the city is much more than just spectacular ancient ruins.

In addition to Cartagena’s architecture—along with that amphitheater, there are striking Art Nouveau buildings, neoclassical churches and ultramodern edifices throughout the city—you’ll find many opportunities to shop for local and regional artisan wares. In the city, investigate the restored medieval fortress looking out on the bay from the city’s highest point. Or take a short trip by car or bus to the historic Agrupa Vicenta Mines, the remarkable palm forest at Elche and the holy city of Caravaca.

And the food of sunny Murcia! Friendly tapas bars with breezy terraces invite lingering over drinks, coffee or snacks. The local restaurants offer more than typical Spanish tapas on the menu—michirones (a spicy Murcian bean stew) and local spins on paella are widely available and worth a try. Grilled octopus, fried calamari, mussels and the freshest fish are some of the tasty benefits of the city’s perch beside the sea.

Valencia, Spain

In an era when a homogenizing global culture can erase the differences between cities around the world, it's refreshing to find one with such a well-defined personality. Valencia, now the third-largest city in Spain, was once the capital of the Kingdom of Valencia which, during its golden age in the 14th and 15th centuries, eclipsed Catalonia in importance. And it still has a plump and prosperous air, thanks in part to its worldwide trade in citrus fruits and vegetables.

There are certain advantages to life in "The Big Orange." Few cities in Spain have such gorgeous public buildings, and, even if Valencia isn’t quite a cultural powerhouse on the level of Barcelona or Madrid, it's still a civilized town with a rich artistic past and present. Then there's the perfect Mediterranean climate, the beaches, the fine medieval centro histórico—and the deep-rooted traditions of which Valencia is fiercely proud, most notably the great spring fiesta of Fallas, in which allegorical figures are set afire amid world-class firework displays and the extraordinary mascletá (best described as a symphony in explosions). Among Spaniards, Valencia has a reputation for exuberance and sensuality, as well as an inordinate fondness for staying up late. It’s also emerging as one of the country's most forward-thinking food cities. In short, what’s not to like?

Your Ship: Zuiderdam

Perfectly sized to navigate scenic straits and channels with ease, offering spacious surroundings for entertainment and enrichment — with thoughtfully designed enhancements coming soon.

Enjoy live entertainment that moves you, rejuvenating spa escapes, elegant shops, world-class dining, and more — every detail is crafted to elevate your cruise experience.

Entertainment

Enjoy eclectic live music, chart-topping hits, music trivia, sing-alongs, and energetic stage shows with bold visuals and dynamic choreography.

World Stage
Bold visuals, dynamic choreography, dazzling costumes, and unforgettable music unite in spectacular shows spanning genres and generations.

Rolling Stone Lounge
Celebrate 60 years of chart-topping hits, including rock, pop, and country classics that are sure to keep you dancing and reliving unforgettable musical moments.

Billboard Onboard
Join the biggest sing-along at sea, test your music trivia skills, and enjoy “All Request” performances featuring classics, and crowd favorites.

The Dam Band
The Dam Band rocks with electrifying live music for shows and guest entertainers on the World Stage as well as surprise pop-ups.

Fort Lauderdale, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, At Sea, Tangier, Malaga, Cartagena Spain, Valencia, Barcelona

All fares are displayed in AUD, and pricing is per person based on twin share occupancy unless stated otherwise. Although all due care is taken to keep information as up-to-date as possible, pricing and availability are subject to change without notice: due to varying timing schedules of supplier automated update processes; currency fluctuations; fuel surcharges or government tax & fee changes and may not be guaranteed until paid in full. Gratuities may be an additional onboard charge depending on particular cruise line selected. Please ask your cruise consultant for any clarification of Terms & Conditions.