Trace Europe’s western edge from the sun-drenched hills of Lisbon to the fjord-carved harbors of Norway, through a tapestry of cultures, flavors and landscapes. Each stop in Portugal, Spain, France, England and Scotland reveals a new perspective: medieval cities brimming with history, vineyards nurtured by centuries of tradition and idyllic paths where windswept coasts meet the mighty sea in dramatic fashion. Along the way, your expedition team will illuminate the spirit of each destination through stories, tastings and cultural encounters while leaving time for you to wander and discover these historic regions in your own way.
- Explore the winding streets of Porto, a UNESCO World Heritage city, where ornate azulejo tiles adorn the architecture and the story of port wine began along the banks of the Douro
- In Bilbao, witness the dramatic contrast of the city’s modernization against its old-world charm, from its architectural marvels to the vibrant flavors of Basque cuisine
- Sail into the Bordeaux region, surrounded by world-famous vineyards, and taste its vintages alongside oysters and market-fresh produce
- Step back in time in Saint-Malo and Dinan, walled towns steeped in privateer lore, cobblestone lanes and quaint half-timbered houses
- Experience Edinburgh’s castle-topped skyline and vibrant streets before venturing north to the Shetland Islands, where seabirds soar over rugged cliffs and island traditions thrive
Availability is always subject to confirmation. Please check with us before booking flights
Prices quoted here are often dependent on currency fluctuations. Please check with (01432 507450 or info@small-cruise-ships.com) for the very latest price, which may well be cheaper than the one advertised here.
Arrive in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal and one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Spend the day at your leisure, exploring the city's history, art and cuisine before embarking the ship in the late afternoon.
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in the UNESCO World Heritage city of Porto. The birthplace of port wine, Porto straddles a gorge on the beautiful Douro River, linked by numerous bridges and filled with medieval architecture. See the region’s famous azulejo tiles and take in the views from the Ponte Dom Luis bridge, an iron masterpiece completed in 1886. Choose from options within the city or in the countryside to gain a better understanding of the layers of Portuguese history and culture before taking in the city at your own pace. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend a relaxing day at sea entering the Bay of Biscay. Join your officers on the Bridge and learn about navigating through the region, the history of the waterway and connectivity of the oceans. Attend a presentation led by your naturalists or take advantage of the onboard amenities. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The largest and one of the most notable cities in the Basque country, Bilbao has transformed from an old-world hub of industry to a thriving metropolis filled with arts and culture. Soak in architectural marvels such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, or spend time wandering the old town and tasting the local flavors of Basque cuisine. Alternatively, hike along the coast and witness the strength of the Bay of Biscay on one of the converted rail trails in the region.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a scenic sail up the Garrone River, arrive in the famed vineyard region surrounding Bordeaux, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed city. On the fertile banks of the Garrone, vintners produce some of the world’s best wines, from rich merlots to bold cabernet sauvignons. Explore on your own, strolling through the city’s iconic farmers markets and savoring a colorful array of regional delicacies such as fresh-caught oysters and locally made cheeses. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spend another relaxing day at sea as you round the Brittany Peninsula. Edit photos with the help of your certified photo instructor, or cozy up with a book in the library or lounge, enjoying views of this scenic peninsula.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Wake up in charming Saint-Malo and take a walking tour of this fortified city, known for its 15th-century privateer history and surrounded by ramparts dating from the 12th century. This afternoon, choose to visit a local oyster farm, or practice your photography in Dinan, with its half-timbered houses and cobblestone streets—all enclosed by nearly two miles of medieval ramparts. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Sail past the famed whitewashed Cliffs of Dover, a beacon to many World War II pilots returning home from battle on the continent. Walk the wartime tunnels deep beneath Dover Castle and immerse yourself in the drama of the 1940 Dunkirk evacuation—“Operation Dynamo.” Then, explore this historic seaside town, known as the “Gateway to England,” and its tranquil nature reserves in the surrounding area, enjoying hikes on cliffside paths with panoramic views of the English Channel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Experience a day at sea as you sail to Scotland. Attend onboard talks to learn more about the migratory wildlife routes along this rugged coastline. Relax in a sauna or infinity hot tub with views of the remote islands that dot your route. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Known for its hill fort, the iconic Edinburgh Castle, this vibrant city offers a variety of experiences amid its charming medieval streets. Walk the Royal Mile and capture the iconic photo of a bagpiper dressed in traditional regalia, or join a guided neighborhood walk to discover the hidden gems of this storied city. Alternatively, explore the various homes of the royal family through the ages.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This afternoon, arrive in the Shetland Islands, a North Sea archipelago known for its wild beauty, untamed landscapes and ancient history. Choose from a variety of options to gain a deeper understanding of these dynamic islands, whether that's hiking along a cliff with beautiful vistas, kayaking in a fjord or connecting with locals. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a final day at sea as you sail toward Norway.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Disembark in Bergen after breakfast and transfer to the airport for your flight home. Meals Included: Breakfast
Itineraries are subject to change.
National Geographic Endurance
Vessel Type: Expedition Ship
Passenger Capacity: 126
Built: 2018
A next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation.
National Geographic Endurance is a next-generation expedition ship, purpose-built for polar navigation. A fully stabilized, highly strengthened, ice-class Polar Code PC5 (Category A) vessel, it is designed to navigate polar passages year-round, and safely explore unchartered waters, while providing exceptional comfort. Its patented X-BOW® is key to its design; its powerful wave-slicing action provides an extremely smooth ride in even adverse conditions, and even reduces spray on deck, for superior observation. She carries a full suite of expedition tools and offers a variety of experience-enhancing amenities.
The luxury of comfort on expedition
National Geographic Endurance comfortably accommodates 126 guests in 69 outside-facing cabins. Cabins are efficiently designed, with sizes range from the 140-square-foot solo cabin to the 430-square-foot category 7 suite. Fifty-three of the 69 cabins, including all 12 of the solo cabins, will feature small balconies with floor-to-ceiling sliding doors that bring in the spectacular views and ample natural light.
Comfort & convenience in every room
Every cabin has two portholes, a large window or balcony, and temperature controls. Bathrooms are modern and stocked with botanically inspired hair products, soap, and shower gel, plus a hairdryer. Cabins are equipped with expedition command centers with tablets and USB/mobile device docking, TVs, Wi-Fi connections, and hair dryers.
Dining: Food served aboard is fresh, local, and delicious, and sourced from suppliers who share our values of sustainable use whenever possible. Meals aboard are almost always served in the dining room, located aft of the lounge deck. When weather conditions allow, lighter fare may be served on the observation deck. There is no assigned seating and our dining room accommodates the entire expedition community in a single seating. During meals your expedition leader, naturalists, and any guest speakers aboard will join you.
Public Areas: Two restaurants, a Chef’s Table for small group dining, Observation Lounge with bar, gym, Wellness area, infinity-style outdoor hot tubs, library, main lounge with full service bar, 24-hour beverage, state-of-the-art facilities for films, slideshows and presentations, and a photo workshop area; plus, an expedition base with lockers for expedition gear, and an “open bridge” for access to our captain, officers and the art of navigation.
Meals: Two restaurants, featuring local, sustainable choices and unassigned seating for flexible, inclusive dining; plus a Chef’s table for intimate, small group dining. Main restaurant has 270º views, and the Observation deck restaurant features lighter, made-to-order fare.
Cabins: All cabins face outside with large windows, private facilities and climate controls. 53 cabins have balconies. Cabins are equipped with expedition command centers with tablets and USB/mobile device docking, TVs, Wi-Fi connections, and hair dryers.
Expedition Tools: Zodiac landing craft, kayaks, snowshoes, cross-country skis, undersea specialist operating a remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and underwater video camera for unique access to polar marine world, hydrophone, aerial remote-controlled camera and video microscope.
Special Features: A full-time doctor, undersea specialist, National Geographic photographer, Lindblad-National Geographic certified photo instructor and video chronicler, an internet cafe and laundry.
Wellness: The vessel is staffed by our wellness specialists and features a glass-enclosed yoga studio, gym, treatment rooms and spa relax area, and high- and low-heat saunas with ocean views.
Expedition Landing Craft: Key to our operation is our fleet of expedition landing craft, which we use to land in places that would otherwise be inaccessible. With 8 of these boats and two loading stations used every time we disembark, we’re able to transfer guests off the ship quickly, so you can be out on adventures, not idly waiting. The expedition landing craft we use are 19 feet long, powered by four-stroke outboard engines, and are capable of comfortably carrying 10-12 people. They are widely recognized as the safest and most versatile small boats afloat.
Remotely Operated Vehicle: Capable of reaching 1,000 feet, far beyond the range of any Scuba diver, the ROV allows you to literally view parts of the undersea that are as unexplored as the moon. Chances are you, like many of our guests, will be struck by how surprisingly colorful undersea life is in these unlikely places. And this glimpse may fundamentally change how you view the ocean.
Kayaks: National Geographic Endurance will be equipped with a fleet of kayaks large enough to ensure everyone who wants to can paddle at every opportunity.
Consequently, prior kayaking experience isn’t necessary—many of our guests have their first kayaking experience in extraordinary locations. Our custom-designed floating platform lets us deploy kayaks from the ship, or any location we want—including far from shore. Kayakers are usually free to explore where they want within boundaries set by the undersea specialist and officer of the watch.
Underwater camera: Our undersea specialist will dive often during your expedition, even in Alaska, with cold-water gear, to shoot high-definition, Cousteau-like footage of the deep. Colorful nudibranchs, swimming, plant-like crinoids, and mysterious fish with antifreeze blood that thrive in the frigid sea will give you an entirely new appreciation of the marine environment.
Video microscope: Naturalists will use the video microscope to help explain all elements of the environment, including tiny organisms that are the building block of the marine ecosystem. Spellbinding live views of krill at 80x magnification fills the high-definition screens in the lounge with vivid detail, and fills every onlooker with a sense of wonder at the importance of otherwise unobservable creatures.
Hydrophone: This underwater microphone is deployed to listen to the vocalizations of marine mammals. Real time transmissions of their eerie, haunting sounds can be broadcast through the ship or recorded for later playback. Few experiences in nature are as captivating as watching humpback whales feed close to the ship as their vocalizations play through the ship’s PA system.
Electronic charts: An electronic chart showing the ship’s location, course, and speed is almost always on display in the lounge.
Open bridge: You’ll find our captains are engaged, knowledgeable members of your expedition who are eager to share their passion with you. Venture’s open bridge features comfortable spaces to sit, enjoy the view, drink your morning coffee, or simply chat with the officers.
Snorkeling gear & wetsuits: On warm weather itineraries where there will be snorkeling, you’ll select a mask, snorkel, fins, and wetsuit that remain yours for the duration of the expedition. There’s no need to pack and tote your own gear, although guests who prefer to are welcome to bring their own.
Deck plans are for illustrative purposes only – The actual ship and cabin layout may differ.
