Springtime in France, Spain and Portugal

The Springtime in France, Spain and Portugal is a 13-night Mediterranean cruise aboard Spirit of Discovery, operated by Saga Ocean Cruises. Departing Portsmouth, UK on April 7, 2027, the voyage visits 9 ports.

Length: 13 nights
Departs: Apr 7, 2027
Returns: Apr 20, 2027
Ports of call: 9
Days at sea: 4

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Itinerary

Day 1 Apr 7, 2027 Portsmouth, UK Departs 17:00 A cruise along the English coast offers numerous sights, time-honored harbors and breathtaking landscapes. If your cruise takes you to Portsmouth in the south of Great Britain, there is a lot to discover: Lively shipping tradition in the Historic Dockyard, the interesting Royal Navy Submarine Museum or Southsea Castle with a breathtaking view of the English Channel are just a small part of it. Experience England with all of its history, unique culture and the best shopping in Portsmouth Harbor! Portsmouth, UK port guide Search cruises visiting Portsmouth, UK

Portsmouth, UK photo — Day 1 Apr 7, 2027 Portsmouth, UK Departs 17:00 A cruise along the English coast offers numerous sights, time-honored harbors and breathtaking landscapes. If your cruise takes you to Portsmouth in the south of Great Britain, there is a lot to discover: Lively shipping tradition in the Historic Dockyard, the interesting Royal Navy Submarine Museum or Southsea Castle with a breathtaking view of the English Channel are just a small part of it. Experience England with all of its history, unique culture and the best shopping in Portsmouth Harbor! Portsmouth, UK port guide Search cruises visiting Portsmouth, UK

Day 3 Apr 9, 2027 Brest 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore Brest is a port town in the Brittany region on the west coast of France. Your MSC cruise will take you on the discovery of a place full of charm, history and culture, set in a natural inlet whose beauty will leave you breathless. There are many things to be seen in Brest, including the Tanguy Tower which houses historical findings from the city dating from ancient times to the period of World Wars. Another institution worth visiting is the National Maritime Museum located inside Château de Brest containing a real submarine. To start your tour of Brest, you can walk along Rue de Siam, a lively commercial district. The look of the road is severe, in full 1950s style. Both here and the entire district found between Pont deRecouvrance and the Town Hall is filled with large multi-story residential buildings, symmetrically arranged on a perfectly straight axis. Pont de Recouvrance, which dominates the docks and military port, was built in 1954 with a vertical lifting device. For a long time, it was the largest lifting bridge in Europe and is undoubtedly a stop not to be missed on your visit to Brest during an MSC cruise. Another really interesting place found at the docks is Les Ateliers des Capucins, a series of buildings that face the sea, built during the 19th century. In 2009, they were converted into a cultural and commercial center. In the bay of Brest, you can also see the delightful Phare du Petit Minou, a lighthouse built in 1848 that stands in front of the fort with the same name and is connected to the mainland by a stone bridge in the commune of Plouzané. Aligned with the Portziclighthouse, the Petit Minou had guided ships for over one hundred and fifty years along the safest route to make their way through the natural channel that unites Brest to the Atlantic Ocean. Brest port guide Search cruises visiting Brest

Brest photo — Day 3 Apr 9, 2027 Brest 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore Brest is a port town in the Brittany region on the west coast of France. Your MSC cruise will take you on the discovery of a place full of charm, history and culture, set in a natural inlet whose beauty will leave you breathless. There are many things to be seen in Brest, including the Tanguy Tower which houses historical findings from the city dating from ancient times to the period of World Wars. Another institution worth visiting is the National Maritime Museum located inside Château de Brest containing a real submarine. To start your tour of Brest, you can walk along Rue de Siam, a lively commercial district. The look of the road is severe, in full 1950s style. Both here and the entire district found between Pont deRecouvrance and the Town Hall is filled with large multi-story residential buildings, symmetrically arranged on a perfectly straight axis. Pont de Recouvrance, which dominates the docks and military port, was built in 1954 with a vertical lifting device. For a long time, it was the largest lifting bridge in Europe and is undoubtedly a stop not to be missed on your visit to Brest during an MSC cruise. Another really interesting place found at the docks is Les Ateliers des Capucins, a series of buildings that face the sea, built during the 19th century. In 2009, they were converted into a cultural and commercial center. In the bay of Brest, you can also see the delightful Phare du Petit Minou, a lighthouse built in 1848 that stands in front of the fort with the same name and is connected to the mainland by a stone bridge in the commune of Plouzané. Aligned with the Portziclighthouse, the Petit Minou had guided ships for over one hundred and fifty years along the safest route to make their way through the natural channel that unites Brest to the Atlantic Ocean. Brest port guide Search cruises visiting Brest

Day 4 Apr 10, 2027 Lorient 08:00 – 18:30 10.5 hrs ashore The Brittany town of Lorient is a fusion of heritage and landscapes. Its houses, beaches and quays point to the conquest of India and the East Indies, deep-sea fishing, the Second World War and the restored pride of the Celtic nations A former German U-Boat base, Lorient played a huge role in the Second World War and was a primary target for Allied bombing raids. Today’s rebuilt city is awash with post 1950's architecture and a number of museums and galleries to explore. Close to Lorient harbour, the Cité de la Voile (City of Sailing), is a modern interactive exhibition with giant audio-visual presentations that highlight the city’s importance in shipbuilding, fishing and, now, ocean racing. With its proud Celtic connections, a glorious mix of kilts, Breton bagpipes, Irish fiddles and Galician pipes, come together at the annual Festival Interceltique. Away from Lorient, a trip across the water to Port Louis offers up the National Maritime Museum and French East Indies Company Museum. Housed in 16th century military buildings, these museums are rare examples of Lorient’s original architecture and are must-visit sites. Lorient port guide Search cruises visiting Lorient

Day 6 Apr 12, 2027 Gijon 08:00 – 19:00 11.0 hrs ashore Gijón began as a fishing village nearly 3,000 years ago, according to the records of the Campa Torres Archaeological and Nature Reserve in Gijón. Today the city is an important port on the Atlantic coast of Spain. The historic fishing village, known as Cimadevilla, is located on a penninsula that divides the port in half. The village is the main tourist attraction of the city. Most of the streets are cobble stone and barely two cars wide. Many of the buildings have been renovated to display the colorful life of the village. Those that have not are evidence of centuries of construction designed to withstand the powerful forces of the Atlantic. A hike up the hill and through Cimadevilla leads to Cerro de Santa Catalina. It is a park on the tip of the pennisula that provides a view of the outstretched coastline forming the port. On the very edge of the penisula is a sculpture the size of a house, Eligio del Horizonte, or Praise of the Horizon. It is one of 16 large sculptures placed in public spaces throughout the city over the last decade. A brief look out to sea and the numerous cargo ships bring back the present. The busy commercial port is to the left. The port authority building not only houses plenty of information about the port, but also one of the cleanest public restrooms in Europe, at least at this time of the year. To the right is Playa del San Lorenzo, the main beach of the city, which in summer becomes very busy, too. During spring, the Atlantic brings cold nights, rainy mornings for the city and snow for the mountains nearby. By afternoon though, the clouds break off from the sea and the sun shines, urging everything on toward summer. Gijon port guide Search cruises visiting Gijon

Gijon photo — Day 6 Apr 12, 2027 Gijon 08:00 – 19:00 11.0 hrs ashore Gijón began as a fishing village nearly 3,000 years ago, according to the records of the Campa Torres Archaeological and Nature Reserve in Gijón. Today the city is an important port on the Atlantic coast of Spain. The historic fishing village, known as Cimadevilla, is located on a penninsula that divides the port in half. The village is the main tourist attraction of the city. Most of the streets are cobble stone and barely two cars wide. Many of the buildings have been renovated to display the colorful life of the village. Those that have not are evidence of centuries of construction designed to withstand the powerful forces of the Atlantic. A hike up the hill and through Cimadevilla leads to Cerro de Santa Catalina. It is a park on the tip of the pennisula that provides a view of the outstretched coastline forming the port. On the very edge of the penisula is a sculpture the size of a house, Eligio del Horizonte, or Praise of the Horizon. It is one of 16 large sculptures placed in public spaces throughout the city over the last decade. A brief look out to sea and the numerous cargo ships bring back the present. The busy commercial port is to the left. The port authority building not only houses plenty of information about the port, but also one of the cleanest public restrooms in Europe, at least at this time of the year. To the right is Playa del San Lorenzo, the main beach of the city, which in summer becomes very busy, too. During spring, the Atlantic brings cold nights, rainy mornings for the city and snow for the mountains nearby. By afternoon though, the clouds break off from the sea and the sun shines, urging everything on toward summer. Gijon port guide Search cruises visiting Gijon

Day 7 Apr 13, 2027 La Coruna, Spain 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore The fine port of La Coruña centres on a narrow peninsula that juts from Spain’s northern coast, 64km north of Santiago. A broad headland curves in both directions from the end of that peninsula to create two large bays: one facing across to Ferrol, and sheltering a large harbour, the other lying open to the Atlantic, lined by a long sandy beach. In the dynamic city in between, a five-minute walk by way of old stone alleyways, with tantalizing restaurants, tapas bars and nightspots jostling for attention, takes you from bustling modern port – where your MSC cruise ship awaits your return – to relaxed resort. The heart of La Coruña, poised between the old city and its modern sprawl just inland from the port, is the colonnaded Praza de María Pita. The narrow and atmospheric streets of the old town wind around the Romanesque churches of Santiago and Santa María del Campo, and are shielded from the sea by a high wall. The distinctive glass-fronted galleries of the sea-facing buildings, rising six storeys high along the Avenida da Marina in front of the port, form a magnificent ensemble . They were originally designed so local residents, whose lives were intertwined with the ocean, could watch the activity of the harbour in shelter. When sailing the Nothern Europe with MSC Cruises, the most obvious excursion from La Coruña is Santiago de Compostela, which ranks among the most beautiful cities in all Spain. A superb mix of twisting stone lanes, majestic squares and ancient churches, interspersed with countless hidden nooks and crannies, Santiago’s medieval core remains a remarkably integrated whole, all the better for being very largely pedestrianized. La Coruna, Spain port guide Search cruises visiting La Coruna, Spain

La Coruna, Spain photo — Day 7 Apr 13, 2027 La Coruna, Spain 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore The fine port of La Coruña centres on a narrow peninsula that juts from Spain’s northern coast, 64km north of Santiago. A broad headland curves in both directions from the end of that peninsula to create two large bays: one facing across to Ferrol, and sheltering a large harbour, the other lying open to the Atlantic, lined by a long sandy beach. In the dynamic city in between, a five-minute walk by way of old stone alleyways, with tantalizing restaurants, tapas bars and nightspots jostling for attention, takes you from bustling modern port – where your MSC cruise ship awaits your return – to relaxed resort. The heart of La Coruña, poised between the old city and its modern sprawl just inland from the port, is the colonnaded Praza de María Pita. The narrow and atmospheric streets of the old town wind around the Romanesque churches of Santiago and Santa María del Campo, and are shielded from the sea by a high wall. The distinctive glass-fronted galleries of the sea-facing buildings, rising six storeys high along the Avenida da Marina in front of the port, form a magnificent ensemble . They were originally designed so local residents, whose lives were intertwined with the ocean, could watch the activity of the harbour in shelter. When sailing the Nothern Europe with MSC Cruises, the most obvious excursion from La Coruña is Santiago de Compostela, which ranks among the most beautiful cities in all Spain. A superb mix of twisting stone lanes, majestic squares and ancient churches, interspersed with countless hidden nooks and crannies, Santiago’s medieval core remains a remarkably integrated whole, all the better for being very largely pedestrianized. La Coruna, Spain port guide Search cruises visiting La Coruna, Spain

Day 8 Apr 14, 2027 Leixoes, Portugal 09:00 – 17:00 8.0 hrs ashore Porto, Portugal's second largest city after Lisbon, is one of Europe's oldest cities and was registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1996. Of course, Porto's name itself hints at perhaps Portugal's most famous export—port—for it is here that the fortified wine was first produced. The city is reminiscent of times gone by and you wouldn’t be far wrong to liken it to an ideal Shakespearean backdrop. Here, the skyline is composed of sky-high bell towers, opulent baroque churches and majestic beaux art buildings, which combine to create a romantic air that’s only heightened by the glorious shafts of sunlight that illuminate the city.

Lisbon photo — Day 9 Apr 15, 2027 Lisbon 09:00 – 17:00 8.0 hrs ashore Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, is a city open to the sea and carefully planned with 18th-century elegance. Its founder is said to be the legendary Ulysses, but the theory of an original Phoenician settlement is probably more realistic. Known in Portugal as Lisboa, the city was inhabited by the Romans, Visigoths and, beginning in the 8th century, the Moors. Much of the 16th century was a period of great prosperity and overseas expansion for Portugal. Tragedy struck on All Saints' Day in 1755 with a devastating earthquake that killed about 40,000 people. The destruction of Lisbon shocked the continent. As a result, the Baixa (lower city) emerged in a single phase of building, carried out in less than a decade by the royal minister, the Marques de Pombal. His carefully planned layout of a perfect neo-classical grid survived to this day and remains the heart of the city. Evidence of pre-quake Lisbon can still be seen in the Belém suburb and the old Moorish section of the Alfama that sprawls below the Castle of St. George. Lisbon is a compact city on the banks of the Tagus River. Visitors find it easy to get around as many places of interest are in the vicinity of the central downtown area. There is a convenient bus and tram system and taxis are plentiful. Rossio Square, the heart of Lisbon since medieval times, is an ideal place to start exploring. After a fire destroyed parts of the historic neighborhood behind Rossio in 1988, many of the restored buildings emerged with modern interiors behind the original façades. The city boasts a good many monuments and museums, such as the Jeronimos Monastery, Tower of Belém, the Royal Coach Museum and the Gulbenkian Museum. High above the Baixa is the Bairro Alto (upper city) with its teeming nightlife. The easiest way to connect between the two areas is via the public elevator designed by Gustave Eiffel. Cruising up the Tagus River to the ship's berth, you can already spot three of Lisbon's famous landmarks: the Monument to the Discoveries, the Tower of Belém and the Statue of Christ, which welcomes visitors from its hilltop location high above Europe's longest suspension bridge. Lisbon port guide Search cruises visiting Lisbon

Day 11 Apr 17, 2027 Santander, Spain 09:00 – 23:00 14.0 hrs ashore Northern Spain might not have the same allure as the Mediterranean end of the country, yet as every traveller knows, often the best places are those that are the least known. Enter Santander. With heritage hailing from the prehistoric, Roman and Middle ages, suffice to say that Santander’s roots stretch very far back. As one of Spain’s more important ports during the New World trading era, Santander enjoyed great wealth during the Middle Ages. View less King Alfonso 13th (1886-1941) made the city his summer residence, bringing about a further economic boom and laying the foundations for modern Santander: a popular summer resort that enjoys one of the most beautiful bay in Spain, a fantastic art and cultural hub (don’t miss the Centro Botin) and a great lust for la vida. Tragically, a two-day fire in 1941 destroyed much of the city, including almost all the medieval heritage. Thus, Santander is today a city of two faces. One: an elegant seaside resort with at least six urban beaches, fabulous restaurants and all the fun in the sun you can muster. The other: a city with 15,000-year-old prehistoric roots that are visible in the cave paintings at Altamira or Puente Viesgo. If travelling the 30-minutes to see the real things seems too far, make sure you head to the fabulous Prehistory and Archaeology Museum of Cantabria, for extensive displays that take you on an interactive journey through time. Alternatively, make like a local and head to El Sardinero beach for a boho beach vibe that rivals Barcelona. Santander, Spain port guide Search cruises visiting Santander, Spain

Santander, Spain photo — Day 11 Apr 17, 2027 Santander, Spain 09:00 – 23:00 14.0 hrs ashore Northern Spain might not have the same allure as the Mediterranean end of the country, yet as every traveller knows, often the best places are those that are the least known. Enter Santander. With heritage hailing from the prehistoric, Roman and Middle ages, suffice to say that Santander’s roots stretch very far back. As one of Spain’s more important ports during the New World trading era, Santander enjoyed great wealth during the Middle Ages. View less King Alfonso 13th (1886-1941) made the city his summer residence, bringing about a further economic boom and laying the foundations for modern Santander: a popular summer resort that enjoys one of the most beautiful bay in Spain, a fantastic art and cultural hub (don’t miss the Centro Botin) and a great lust for la vida. Tragically, a two-day fire in 1941 destroyed much of the city, including almost all the medieval heritage. Thus, Santander is today a city of two faces. One: an elegant seaside resort with at least six urban beaches, fabulous restaurants and all the fun in the sun you can muster. The other: a city with 15,000-year-old prehistoric roots that are visible in the cave paintings at Altamira or Puente Viesgo. If travelling the 30-minutes to see the real things seems too far, make sure you head to the fabulous Prehistory and Archaeology Museum of Cantabria, for extensive displays that take you on an interactive journey through time. Alternatively, make like a local and head to El Sardinero beach for a boho beach vibe that rivals Barcelona. Santander, Spain port guide Search cruises visiting Santander, Spain

Day 12 Apr 18, 2027 Bilbao 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore Whether it’s the flow of its boundary pushing architecture, delights of its finger food tapas, or sweeps of gorgeous shoreline nearby, Bilbao is a city that places a premium on aesthetics. The relentless drive to all things beautiful may be a reaction to the city’s industrial past, but it has led this Basque city to emerge as a new beacon of artistry. American architect Frank Gehry’s masterpiece of flowing metal is the shining standout here, a perfect harmony of smooth titanium and glass, and a thrilling piece in itself. Inside the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, world-class exhibitions are exhibited in the bright, expansive interior - which practically begs you to explore more. The city has gorgeous historical presence too. Casco Viejo - the medieval area - is its historic core, and home to the original seven streets and cathedral, dating back to the 14thcentury. Tall banks of coloured buildings rise either side as you walk, dwarfed by a tide of pretty facades, overflowing flower boxes, and intricate rail balconies. Plaza Nueva is Bilbao’s neoclassical square, with a procession of arches all around you. Morning flea markets regularly overtake it, offering opportunities to pick through piles of coins, dusty books and rusted antiques on the hunt for bargains, in this most elegant setting. The titanic Mercado de la Ribera market looms tall by the river. Explore to eat your way through an endless pile of Basque pintxos – the local take on tapas. Cocktail sticks will quickly stack up as you gorge on plump olives, organic cheeses, and feather thin slices of curled hams, while orbiting Europe’s largest covered market. Described as a perfect blend of beauty and function by UNESCO, the Vizcaya Bridge is an unusual but spectacular piece of industrial architecture. The world’s oldest, gigantic transporter crane is still in use today, swinging cars and passengers from one side of the gaping Nervion River’s mouth to the other. Bilbao port guide Search cruises visiting Bilbao

Bilbao photo — Day 12 Apr 18, 2027 Bilbao 08:00 – 17:00 9.0 hrs ashore Whether it’s the flow of its boundary pushing architecture, delights of its finger food tapas, or sweeps of gorgeous shoreline nearby, Bilbao is a city that places a premium on aesthetics. The relentless drive to all things beautiful may be a reaction to the city’s industrial past, but it has led this Basque city to emerge as a new beacon of artistry. American architect Frank Gehry’s masterpiece of flowing metal is the shining standout here, a perfect harmony of smooth titanium and glass, and a thrilling piece in itself. Inside the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, world-class exhibitions are exhibited in the bright, expansive interior - which practically begs you to explore more. The city has gorgeous historical presence too. Casco Viejo - the medieval area - is its historic core, and home to the original seven streets and cathedral, dating back to the 14thcentury. Tall banks of coloured buildings rise either side as you walk, dwarfed by a tide of pretty facades, overflowing flower boxes, and intricate rail balconies. Plaza Nueva is Bilbao’s neoclassical square, with a procession of arches all around you. Morning flea markets regularly overtake it, offering opportunities to pick through piles of coins, dusty books and rusted antiques on the hunt for bargains, in this most elegant setting. The titanic Mercado de la Ribera market looms tall by the river. Explore to eat your way through an endless pile of Basque pintxos – the local take on tapas. Cocktail sticks will quickly stack up as you gorge on plump olives, organic cheeses, and feather thin slices of curled hams, while orbiting Europe’s largest covered market. Described as a perfect blend of beauty and function by UNESCO, the Vizcaya Bridge is an unusual but spectacular piece of industrial architecture. The world’s oldest, gigantic transporter crane is still in use today, swinging cars and passengers from one side of the gaping Nervion River’s mouth to the other. Bilbao port guide Search cruises visiting Bilbao

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Per person · 2 guests · incl. taxes & fees

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Show all 31 cabin grades

Cabin grades and pricing
Name	Supplier code	Type
Twin Deluxe with Balcony	A	Balcony
Twin Deluxe with Balcony	B	Balcony
Twin Deluxe with Balcony	C	Balcony
Twin Deluxe with Balcony	D	Balcony
Twin Deluxe with Balcony	E	Balcony
Standard Twin with Balcony	F	Balcony
Standard Twin with Balcony	G	Balcony
Standard Twin with Balcony	H	Balcony
Standard Twin with Balcony	I	Balcony
Standard Twin with Balcony	J	Balcony
Standard Twin with Balcony	K	Balcony
Standard Twin with Balcony	L	Balcony
Superior Single with Balcony	QS	Balcony
Superior Single with Balcony	RS	Balcony
Superior Single with Balcony	SS	Balcony
Standard Single with Balcony	TS	Balcony
Unassigned Deluxe Twin	UDLT	Balcony
Standard Single with Balcony	US	Balcony
Unassigned Standard Twin	USDT	Balcony
Standard Single with Balcony	WS	Balcony
Forward Suite with balcony	AA	Suite
Forward Suite with balcony	BB	Suite
Aft Suite with Balcony	CC	Suite
Aft Suite with Balcony	DD	Suite
Mid Ship Suite with Balcony	EE	Suite
Mid Ship Suite with Balcony	EJ	Suite
Mid Ship Suite with Balcony	FF	Suite
Mid Ship Suite with Balcony	GG	Suite
Single Suite with Balcony	MS	Suite
Deluxe Single with balcony	NS	Suite
Deluxe Single with balcony	PS	Suite