Enjoy a delightful Ocean Voyage on this 18 night cruise to Cape Town. Depart from Barcelona onboard MSC Sinfonia, and experience cruising from Europe to South Africa with all the style and comfort this wonderful modern 4 star cruise ship has to offer.

Flight Times:

Day to Day Itinerary:

Day 1: Barcelona, Spain: Depart 15.00

On arrival in Barcelona you will be transferred to the port to board MSC Sinfonia. The ship departs for Cape Town in the afternoon.

Day 2: At Sea:

Your first day onboard is spent cruising around the Iberian peninsula, en route to your first port of call, Lisbon. Take some time to settle in and enjoy the facilities that MSC Sinfonia has to offer.

Day 3: Lisbon, Portugal: Arrive 13.00 Depart 20.00

Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and the westernmost capital city in Europe.

With its sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and over 20 centuries of history, there is no shortage of landmarks to visit in this beguiling holiday town. From gothic to post-modern, the city’s rich cultural history envelopes you as you stroll the streets under one of the most comfortable year-round climates.

With its elegant squares and the distinctive character of intriguing districts such as Alfama and Baixa, Lisbon’s atmosphere is more sunny and cheerful than its melancholy musical heritage of Fado folk songs would have you believe!

Discover the gigantic Christ King (Cristo Rei) statue overlooking Lisbon from the Tagus River, and the Vasco da Gama Bridge, one of the longest structures of its kind in Europe.

Day 4: At Sea:

Madeira, and the port of Funchal is your next stop after some relaxing time at sea. Sample the gourmet food, enjoy a refreshing drink, or just sit back and watch the world go by.

Day 5: Funchal, Madeira: Arrive 08.00 Depart 18.00

A beautiful Mediterranean haven and the very soul of Portugal

The great Portuguese poet, playwright and author, Júlio Dinis famously described Funchal as; “The sea on one side, the mountains on the other, and between these two majestic splendours, the city smiles like a child sleeping, safe and warm, between its parents”.We can’t think of a prettier and more inviting introduction to this beautiful Mediterranean haven.

Funchal, the capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira is the very soul of Portugal.

Settlers over 500 years ago were attracted to this sheltered spot, which is set in a natural ‘amphitheatre’. Gentle slopes, abundant with flowers, rise above the pretty harbour to almost 1200 metres.

The magnificent bay of Funchal, with its glittering blue waters is home to the port, just a 15-minute walk from the city centre. Thanks to its strategic mid-Atlantic location, Madeira has been an important stopping point for ocean-going liners for many years and was an important port of call for the routes on cruise ships between Europe and Africa and America.

Day 6-7: At Sea:

These two days at sea are spent leisurely cruising south, en route to your next port of call, Mindelo in the Cape Verde Islands.

Day 8: Mindelo, Cape Verde Islands: Arrive 07.00 Depart 13.00

The cultural capital of Cape Verde characterized by sandy beaches and volcanic mountains

Mindelo is a port city in Cape Verde , a Portuguese archipelago off the west coast of Africa.

Ten volcanic islands and five tiny islets make up Cape Verde and Mindelo is the capital of Sao Vicente Island, characterized by sandy beaches and volcanic mountains.

Considered the cultural capital of Cap Verde, Mindelo is a cosmopolitan city and enjoying a new lease of life as a holiday destination after an industrial past. Currently unspoiled and little-known, Mindelo is a place that invites you simply to kick back and enjoy the laid-back Afro-Portuguese way of life.

Day 9-15: At Sea:

Cruise along the coast of West Africa, as you sail for Namibia. The crew will ensure you thoroughly enjoy your time onboard, with numerous activities and shows going on each day. Go for a dip in the pool, spread out on the sun loungers with a good book and make as much (or as little) as you want of your cruise south.

Day 16: Walvis Bay, Namibia: Arrive 10.00 Depart 16.00

A huge natural lagoon with seabirds, rare flamingos and pelicans

Situated off the Atlantic coast of Africa, Walvis Bay is the name of both this popular holiday town in Namibia and the bay in which it lies.

The deepwater harbour is a haven for sea vessels and many luxury cruise liners dock here. However, these deep waters are also rich in plankton and marine life and previously drew large numbers of whales, which contributed to the port’s name.

The Dutch – who colonized the area in the 17th century – referred to it as Walvisch Baye, the English as Whale Bay, with an eventual agreement on Walvis Bay, via Walfish Bay! Today, Walvis Bay, with its large bay and sand dunes, is the tourist activity centre of Namibia.

A particular attraction of the area is the huge natural lagoon with its abundance of seabirds, including rare flamingos and pelicans, which are joined every year by 200,000 migratory birds. As this is an area of outstanding natural beauty, there are many options for spending your time away from ship.

Day 17: At Sea:

Your last day onboard is spent cruising on the last leg of your voyage, from Walvis Bay to Capetown. Enjoy one final drink from one of the many onboard bars, pick up a last minute souvenir from the gift shops, or just sit back and watch the world float by.

Day 18: Cape Town, South Africa: Arrive 10.00

Your cruise ends with a morning arrival in Capetown. You will be met by your driver after you disembark, who will bring you to the airport for your flight home to Dublin. Alternatively, you could always extend your stay in South Africa with some extra time in Cape Town (details available on request).

Day 19: Dublin, Ireland:

Arrive back in Dublin today after your return flight from Cape Town, via Istanbul (overnight)

17 Nights accommodaton aboard the 4 Star MSC Sinfonia, operated by MSC Cruises. (See ship info tab for more information on MSC Sinfonia)

1 overnight flight

MSC Sinfonia – Making Sweet Music

As her name suggests MSC Sinfonia is a cruise ship inspired by the works of Europe’s great classical composers and, like the thrilling symphonies they produced, she is something of a masterpiece herself, capable of capturing and enhancing your every mood!

If you’re looking for peace, quiet and relaxation, head for Le Terme on Debussy deck where sauna, massage, a gym and fitness centre will help sooth away the stresses of modern life. For a shot of Mediterranean or South African sunshine head for the solarium up on Schubert deck. Be careful not to overdo the tanning though; cruise ships create their own gentle breeze that makes it easy to think the sun isn’t half as strong as it really is – although the medical centre is excellent, it’s one facility we hope you never use!

An MSC Cruise is a great way to find a new hobby – where better to take up Italian? – or, if you’re already into golf then, chances are, you’ll return a much better player thanks to a state-of-the-art Virtual Golf Simulator that’s perfect for beginners and seasoned professional alike. If this is all too serious for you, why not enjoy a spot of mini-golf or traditional deck games?

Traditional cruising pleasures abound too from the fine cuisine available in the restaurants, the café and the outdoor buffet, to a plethora of bars – the Irish Pub, Shelagh’s House, will make British cruisers feel at home – and elegant lounges where you’ll find music, dancing and the lost art of conversation much in evidence.

Coming Soon

Dates & Prices

55Club

Price inclusions

• Direct flight from Dublin to Barcelona
• Airport transfer to the port
• 17 nights onboard MSC Sinfonia, based on 2 sharing an inside stateroom
• Meals onboard on a full board basis
• Entertainment onboard
• Transfer to the airport
• Flight from Cape Town to Dublin (overnight) via Istanbul
• Taxes and charges of €270
• Please note an optional range of extensions in South Africa are available on request. Please ask for specific details.

Booking remarks

• Inclusive of taxes and service charges as indicated
• Non refundable or transferrable booking deposit of €200 per person
• Full payment due on confirmation
• 2% surcharge if balance is paid by credit or charge card
• Optional Insurance €54 (conditions apply)
• Single Supplement on request
• Drinks onboard not included.
• Gratuities onboard are not included
• Prices are correct at time of going to press, flight supplements may apply depending on availability of negotiated airfares