Volcanic Islands of the Azores and Madeira with Fred. Olsen Cruises and Go Stargazing

Volcanic Islands of the Azores and Madeira with Fred. Olsen Cruises and Go Stargazing

Wednesday 28th August 2024 to Wednesday 11th September 2024

Departing from Port of Southampton
White Star Way, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 3GG

Embark on a captivating cruise that unveils the rich tapestry of Portugal’s culture and nature, weaving together visits to historic capitals, remote archipelagos, and the enchanting ‘garden island’. Immerse yourself in the allure of Portugal’s past and present.

Begin your journey in the UNESCO-listed city of Angra do Heroísmo, a window into the Age of Discovery. As you venture from Praia da Vitória, the echoes of explorers past resonate through its cobblestone streets. In Lisbon, the capital itself, history comes to life, and the legacy of those intrepid sailors who ventured into uncharted waters is palpable.

Madeira awaits with its bounty of delights. Traverse its levada walking trails, a network of paths that lead you through lush landscapes and captivating vistas. Amidst this splendour, botanical gardens bloom, a testament to the island’s rich biodiversity.

Each port of call on this journey is a doorway into a world of wonder, culture, and natural beauty. Join us as we unveil the captivating chapters of Portugal’s story, written in the landscapes, history, and living tapestry of this extraordinary nation.

In addition, you’ll be joined aboard by an experienced astronomer from Go Stargazing for guided night sky tours under light pollution-free skies as part of Fred. Olsen’s Sky at Sea signature experience.

Stargazing highlights for this cruise
  • Explore the night skies on deck with an experienced astronomer from Go Stargazing.
  • Learn how our ancestors interpreted the sky with a laser-guided tour of the constellations.
  • Once darkness falls, witness the incredible view of the Milky Way arching right across the sky, including the brighter region near the galactic core just above the Southern horizon around midnight.
  • This cruise encompasses a new Moon period, with no bright Moon in the sky and no light pollution; it’s the best time and place to stargaze.
  • Observe the phase of the Moon change throughout the cruise. The Moon’s craters and mountain ranges look stunning through binoculars!
  • Saturn will be visible from late evening and through the night. Viewing some of its Moons and famous ring system may be possible through binoculars.
  • Mars and Jupiter will shine bright and can be observed rising from the East in the early morning hours. 
  • A pattern of stars called the Summer Triangle will be prominent throughout the cruise; our astronomer will gladly guide you around this patch of sky rich with deep sky objects observable using binoculars.
  • View the most distant object that can be seen with just your eyes — the Andromeda Galaxy. Our astronomer will show you how to find it using binoculars.
  • Shooting stars or meteors are always a possibility if the sky is clear!

Please note that this has already taken place on 28/08/2024

Sail away from light pollution

The map plots the course of this cruise. As you travel away from light pollution, a breathtaking canvas of stars unfolds above. The sky becomes a sanctuary of twinkling constellations, captivating stargazers with its celestial wonders. Guided by a Go Stargazing astronomer, you'll learn to navigate the skies and immerse yourself in their beauty.


Cruise organiser

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines is organising this cruise

Please contact Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines directly for more details regarding this cruise.


Cruise booking

For full details on how to attend this cruise, including how to book, please see the cruise's official website.

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