Grand Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Madeira & Morocco Cruise

• Day One – Depart from London Tilbury, UK

  Depart: 1600hrs

  Make your way to Tilbury and board Columbus. Settle in to your cabin and relax as your cruise begins.

• Day Two – Rotterdam, Netherlands

  Arrive: 0800hrs

  Depart: 1430hrs

  Columbus reaches her first port of call today: the Dutch maritime city of Rotterdam. Step ashore to see the stunning architecture of the Erasmus Bridge and the remarkable Markthal food market. Browse the World-class museums, explore the lovingly preserved Old Harbour and stroll past nearby Delfshaven's step-gabled houses and ancient wharves.

• Day Five – Lisbon, Portugal

  Arrive: 1200hrs

  Depart: 1900hrs

  Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, is Columbus's next port of call. Wander up through the cobbled streets of the Alfama towards Sao Jorge Castle, relax by the fountain in Rossi Square or follow the shoreline along to where the ornate battlements of the Belem Tower guard the mouth of the River Tagus.

• Day Seven – Funchal, Madeira

  Arrive: 0700hrs

  Depart: 1700hrs

  Some 500 miles off the coast of Africa, Madeira is one of the world's most beautiful islands. This sun-blessed subtropical paradise is home to some of the most vibrant and exotic flora on Earth. Relax in Funchal, the island capital, visit the wonderful Botanical Gardens, and perhaps race downhill from Monte to Livramento in a wickerwork 'toboggan'!

• Day Eight – Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

  Arrive: 1200hrs

  Depart: 2400hrs

  The great trading port of Las Palmas welcomes Columbus to Gran Canaria, today. Explore modern Puerto de la Luz, or head to the palm-fringed squares of the city's old town, Vegueta. Alternatively, join an optional shore excursion inland to discover some of the island's superb views.

• Day Nine – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands

  Arrive: 0700hrs

  Depart: 2000hrs

  Today is spent on the largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife. Columbus will dock in the principal port of Santa Cruz. Discover the land that boasts "the whole world in one day" on optional shore excursions that might take you for a swim in warm waters or to throw snowballs on the slopes of Mt Teide, or from the capital's glitzy shopping malls to stunning gardens, banana plantations and forests of giant pines and eucalyptus trees.

• Day 12 – Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde Islands

  Arrive: 0800hrs

  Depart: 1800hrs

  The 10 volcanic isles that make up the Cape Verde archipelago are fast becoming a popular holiday haven, despite (or perhaps because of) their remote position. Spend the day in Mindelo, the pretty capital of São Vicente, admiring the attractive houses of this colonial outpost, or perhaps joining an optional shore excursion inland.

• Day 16 – Casablanca, Morocco

  Arrive: 0800hrs

  Depart: 2300hrs

  This morning Columbus docks in Casablanca, forever associated with the film of the same name. Much of the city is now startlingly modern, but you'll find traditional life and traces of its long history in the medina, and gigantic Hassan II Mosque. Visit the wonderful beaches, and make the most of the designer shopping, or perhaps join an unforgettable shore excursion to Marrakech to explore the tiny stores, alleys and hidden courtyards of the souks, and its vast, bustling square, the Djemaa El Fna.

• Day 18 – Leixoes, Portugal

  Arrive: 0700hrs

  Depart: 1700hrs

  The Portuguese port of Leixoes welcomes Columbus, today. Join an optional excursion to the historic city of Oporto, on the River Douro, and visit one of the Port wine lodges. Alternatively, sightsee at leisure, and perhaps take a cruise along the Douro, before you return to the ship to continue your cruise.

• Day 19 – La Coruña, Spain

  Arrive: 0700hrs

  Depart: 1800hrs

  Today you'll call at the historic port of La Coruña (or A Coruña). Step ashore to explore the atmospheric medieval quarter, stroll the extensive seafront promenade, or perhaps take an optional shore excursion to fabled Santiago de Compostela, the famous end point of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

• Day 22 – Arrive in London Tilbury, UK

  Arrive: 0800hrs

  Bid farewell to Columbus and all your fellow travellers, today, as you disembark at the end of your autumn Atlantic cruise.

Days marked above with an anchor include ports where you will be transferred to shore by landing boat. These ports may be inaccessible for customers with mobility difficulties as a result. Any days not listed will be spent at sea.

• Passport requirements

  British Citizens will need a full, 10-year passport to travel on this cruise. Since some countries require visitors to be valid for at least six months after the return date of the cruise we recommend that all customers ensure that this is the case. Holders of non-British passports should check with the relevant embassies to see if any requirements and restrictions exist for any countries visited during the cruise.

• Foreign Office travel advice

  Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice  to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.