Atlantic Crossroads: Cruise from Senegal to Ghana

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

*specific hotel and location to be announced

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. Traditional crafts like woodcarvings and paintings sell at Soumbédioune market, making it the perfect souvenir stop

Included Activities:
Goree Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
5 hours
Escape the buzz of Dakar and immerse yourself in the tranquil village of Gorée Island, a UNESCO site once central to the transatlantic slave trade. Take the ferry to this historic island, home to 1,300 residents and colorful ochre houses. Explore the museum at Fort Estrée, visit the House of Slaves, and walk the cliffside trails, including the Gorée Almadies monument. Wander the colonial-era alleys for a moving journey through history.

At the meeting point of the Gambia River and the Atlantic, Gambia’s relaxed capital city, Banjul, sits on a small island filled with colonial buildings and vibrant markets. The 19th-century Albert Market sells souvenirs and the colorful traditional clothing of The Gambia’s diverse ethnic groups, offering a lively glimpse into everyday local life

Included Activities:
Discover the Rich Cultural Tapestry of The Gambia - Show on board
1 hour
Let the sounds of local instruments transport you to the heart of The Gambia's cultural heritage, where nine ethnic groups come to life with their unique languages, attire, and music. Experience the rhythms of the Mandinka's Kora, the Fulani's Riti, the Jola's Balafon and the Djembe drums. Masterfully played by Griots, oral historians within each group, these instruments bring the rich traditions of The Gambia to life.

Banjul Highlights
4.5 hours
Experience the vibrant spirit of The Gambia on an engaging city tour through Banjul, where you'll explore iconic landmarks such as the sacred Katchikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau—home to over 100 crocodiles for more than a century—before heading to bustling Serrekunda to witness traditional tye-and-dye techniques at a local Batik factory. As you pass the impressive Arch 22, built to commemorate the July 22nd Revolution, you'll continue to the National Museum for a deeper understanding of Gambian culture, traditions, and history. The tour concludes at the lively St. Albert Market, where you can observe daily life, browse local crafts, and even try your hand at bargaining for unique souvenirs.
 

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.

Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable experts

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

Included Activities:
Freetown Historical City Tour
4.5 hours
Feel the weight of time as you explore Freetown’s landmarks, including the historic Cotton Tree, symbolizing the site where freed slaves settled in 1792. Visit the Peace & Cultural Monument, honoring Sierra Leone's independence and post-civil war transformation. Explore the Railway Museum, Fourah Bay College, and St. George's Cathedral. Dive into the National Museum, and pass by King's Yard, Fort Thornton, and the Presidential State House.

Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable experts

Founded in the early 19th century and named after U.S. President James Monroe, Monrovia developed as a settlement for formerly enslaved people returning from the United States and remains the political, economic and cultural center of Liberia.

The city stretches along a series of lagoons and peninsulas facing the Atlantic Ocean, with the Freeport of Monrovia serving as the country’s main maritime gateway for trade and imports, while districts such as West Point reflect its dense urban character and vibrant local life, and historic sites like Providence Island highlight its unique Americo-Liberian heritage, making Monrovia a place where coastal scenery, layered history and contemporary West African city life intersect

Included Activities:
Historical city tour of Monrovia
4 hrs 15 min
Explore Monrovia, Liberia’s capital founded in 1822, now a lively city rich in history and culture. Highlights include the Centennial Pavilion, National Museum, and Providence Island—the symbolic birthplace of the nation. The tour concludes at Providence Baptist Church, where Liberia’s independence was declared in 1847, offering a powerful glimpse into Africa’s oldest republic.

Spend your day at sea enjoying the facilities available onboard. Head to the sauna, get in a workout in the state-of-the-art gym or relax in the hot tub while taking in incredible views along the way. If you prefer to learn a little more about your surroundings, listen to an informative talk or have a chat with one of the knowledgeable experts

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

Included Activities:
Colonial Grand Bassam
5.5 hours
Step back in time and explore the colonial charm of Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once the Ivory Coast capital, it blends European and African cultures. Stroll through the French colonial district, past landmarks like the Palais de Justice, Sacré Coeur cathedral, Governor "Binger's" Palace and the Ariane Monument. Visit the National Costume Museum to delve into Ivorian heritage, and end with craft shopping at the Artisanal Center.

Historically developed around its deep-water harbor built during the colonial era, Takoradi remains one of Ghana’s key maritime and commercial hubs, handling exports such as cocoa, timber and minerals while also serving the offshore oil and gas industry in the Gulf of Guinea.

The city has a distinctly working-port character rather than a resort atmosphere, with busy fishing communities, open markets, palm-fringed beaches and a humid tropical climate. It also provides access to nearby heritage landmarks like Fort Metal Cross, one of several European forts scattered along the historic Gold Coast, reflecting the region’s layered colonial past and its continued economic importance within West Africa

A solemn reminder of the past, 15th century Elmina Castle in Ghana was a key slave trade hub, originally protecting gold trade before Dutch and British slave trade involvement. This UNESCO site exemplified the era's contradictions, with Europeans in luxurious quarters above filthy, cramped slave dungeons. The infamous Door of No Return opened to ships on the gruelling Middle Passage

Included Activities:
Cape Coast Castle and drum dance
3 hours
Stand where African slaves once stood at UNESCO-listed Cape Coast Castle, a powerful symbol of resilience. It held more enslaved Africans than any other West African site. Delve into its history, from slave port to a moving museum. Witness the "Door of No Return" and tour the dungeons, walking in the footsteps of countless slaves. Finally, discover Ghanaian culture with traditional drumming and dance, telling stories through rhythm and movement.

Traditional music and dances on board
1 hour
Feel the beat of Ghana’s traditions as the rhythm of djembe drums fills the air. Witness lively dances and discover the Ashanti people’s folklore. Local artists will board the ship to enchant you with vibrant rhythms and movements, embodying the heartbeat of Ghana. Their colorful attire, expressive choreography and storytelling bring the country’s rich cultural heritage to life in unforgettable ways.

Tema is a short drive from Ghana’s fast-paced capital, Accra, a city that's culturally rich, modern and historic all at once. European-built forts and Black Star Independence Square’s public monuments offer a glimpse at the past. The neighborhood of Jamestown, a 17th-century fishing community with old colonial buildings, is its pulse with an art scene and local bites like waakye­ – rice and beans with sides – at a low-key ‘chop bar’