Cruise West Africa: Cultures and Wild Coasts

Arrive in Tema, relax, and spend the overnight here preparing for your adventure.

*specific hotel and location to be announced

Tema is a short drive from Accra, Ghana’s lively capital, where culture, history, and modern life blend. European-built forts and the monuments at Black Star Independence Square reflect the city’s past. Jamestown, a 17th-century fishing community with colonial-era buildings, is the heart of the city’s art scene. You can also enjoy local dishes like waakye—rice and beans with sides—at a simple neighborhood chop bar.

Elmina Castle in Ghana, built in the 15th century, stands as a powerful reminder of the slave trade. Originally constructed to protect the gold trade, it later became a central hub for the Dutch and British slave trade. Now a UNESCO World Heritage site, the castle highlights the stark contrasts of the era, with Europeans living in luxury above the crowded, squalid slave dungeons. The infamous "Door of No Return" led countless enslaved Africans to ships bound for the brutal Middle Passage.

The twin cities of Sekondi-Takoradi, known as Tadi, are a key commercial hub on Ghana’s deepwater port, featuring a 17th-century Dutch fort, a relaxed beachfront and Africa’s largest market offering coconuts, dried fish, and tangy jollof rice. Nearby Kakum National Park hosts an endangered Ghanaian rainforest with native wildlife, lush plant life, exotic birds, vibrant butterflies and a Canopy Walkway, suspended 100 feet above the ground.

 

A city pulsating with energy, Abidjan, the former capital of Côte D’Ivoire, stands as a hub of creativity and innovation. The thriving arts and music scene interweaves with the cultures, cuisines, and traditions that define Abidjan. Serving as a window into West Africa, the infectious tropical mood permeates the city. Abidjan's unique atmosphere, galleries, and markets, along with the fascinating National Museum, make it a captivating destination.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the onboard lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

Sierra Leone’s portside capital city occupies a major position in history as the home of formerly enslaved people from North America and Britain. Sites like Cotton Tree and the King’s Yard Gate symbolise the town’s sombre past. Freetown today is a diverse city with a rich heritage – colorful Krio architecture, hearty, rice-based cuisine and lively beaches. Nearby, the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary rescues endangered primates in a rainforest.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to the library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of the on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

The remote Bijagos Archipelago off Guinea-Bissau comprises 88 islands with mangroves, savannahs, and palm forests, protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Its ecosystems host endangered species like green sea turtles, saltwater hippos and African manatees, plus 800,000 migratory birds annually. Untouched by tourism, the Bijagos offers pristine beaches and a rich cultural heritage, with rare matrilineal customs and traditional ceremonies.

At the meeting point of the Gambia River and the Atlantic, Gambia’s relaxed capital city, Banjul, sits on a little island filled with colonial buildings and vibrant markets. The 19th-century Albert Market sells souvenirs and the vibrant traditional clothing of The Gambia’s diverse ethnic groups. Locals invite visitors to their typical Gambian home or ‘compound’ and tell stories of their heritage while offering herbal tea and traditional snacks.

Fabulous museums, a thriving art scene and elegant seaside dining showcase Dakar's rich culture and forward outlook. The bustling traditional Medina quarter with its mosques, tea shops and street markets contrasts with the Senegalese capital's French-influenced architecture and cuisine. Mbalax music dominates the vibrant nightlife. Traditional crafts like woodcarvings and paintings sell at Soumbédioune market, making it the perfect souvenir stop.

After breakfast, bid farewell to your fellow travelers as you disembark today. Then, head to the airport for your flight home.