Make a reservation now!
	Ask for Assistance - our cruise experts are itching to find you a deal
Use SouthAfrica.TO travel vouchers to discount your cruise. If you've got none, then start accummulating them by emailng us a writeup of your cruise to the UK (including photos for bigger vouchers).

Cruise to England

For the first time South Africans will have the opportunity to cruise from Cape Town to Southampton on the beautiful MSC Opera. This cruise is a once in a lifetime experience making it well worth a try.To receive a detailed quote and to make bookings, please click on the MSC logo below:

News

18 May 2013. Footage of the MSC Opera arriving in Southampton in the early morning (starts 19 minutes into the video).

Itinerary

The cruise will depart from Cape Town Harbour on the 28th of April 2014 and will be arriving at Southampton on the 17th of May. Between Cape Town and Southamton passengers will have the oppertunity to visit Walvis Bay, Dakar, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Lisbon, Vigo and Cherbourg. Have a look at the full itinerary:

Full Itinerary and schedule:

Date	Day	Arrival Time	Departure Time	Port
28 April 2014	Monday	-	16:00	Cape Town, South Africa
29 April 2014	Tuesday	-	-	DAY AT SEA
30 April 2014	Wednesday	08:00	17:00	Walvis Bay, Namibia
01 May 2014	Thursday	-	-	DAY AT SEA
02 May 2014	Friday	-	-	DAY AT SEA
03 May 2014	Saturday	-	-	DAY AT SEA
04 May 2014	Sunday	-	-	DAY AT SEA
05 May 2014	Monday	-	-	DAY AT SEA
06 May 2014	Tuesday	-	-	DAY AT SEA
07 May 2014	Wednesday	09:00	18:00	Dakar, Senegal
08 May 2014	Thursday	-	-	DAY AT SEA
09 May 2014	Friday	-	-	DAY AT SEA
10 May 2014	Saturday	08:00	17:00	Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
11 May 2014	Sunday	09:00	17:00	Funchal, Portugal
12 May 2014	Monday	-	-	DAY AT SEA
13 May 2014	Tuesday	07:00	17:00	Lisbon, Portugal
14 May 2014	Wednesday	10:00	19:00	Vigo, Spain
16 May 2014	Friday	10:00	18:00	Cherbourg, France
17 May 2014	Saturday	08:00	-	Southampton, United Kingdom

 

Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is known for its culture, friendly people and of course, Table Mountain. Millions of people visit Cape Town on a yearly basis and keep coming back for more. Passengers can go for a hike on table mountain, sundowners in Camps Bay or a picnic in the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens. Have a look at our list of Cape Town Day Trips.

Walvis Bay, Namibia

The first stop for passengers will be at Walvis Bay. Walvis Bay has the only natural harbour on the Coast of Namibia and with a rich marine life passengers should be on the lookout for whales while docked in Walvis Bay. Not only is Walvis Bay perfect for whale watching, but is also truly a bird watcher's paradise. There are a host of activities to partake in. Passengers can explore the dunes, salt works and the Walvis Bay Museum, just to mention a few.

Dakar, Senegal

The second stop on the list will be Dakar, which is the largest city of Senegal and the most Western City in Africa. Dakar's harbour and airports are popular, as the city serves as an important link for trade between Europe and Africa and America. Passengers can look forward to visiting a wide selection of markets, the Grand Mosque, Dakar Cathedral and the African Renaissance Monument. A walk on one of the breathtaking beaches or a drive to the Zoo is also something to place high on your “To do” list.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

At the next stop, passengers will have the opportunity to explore the capital city of the Canary Islands, Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Santa Cruz, as it is commonly known, has one of the busiest harbours in the whole of Spain, making this port a hub for cruise ships as well as cargo ships. Not only is this city the host to one of the largest carnivals in the world, passengers can look forward to visiting the Auditorio de Tenerife and the Santa Cruz Towers.

Funchal

Funchal is a major tourist town and thousands of tourists visit Funchal on a monthly basis. Situated in Portugal, Funchal is rich in culture, music and good food and wine. Passengers can explore the beaches of Porto Santo or take a gondola ride to the suburb of Monte.

Lisbon, Portugal

Next up, the MSC Opera will stop at Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. Not only is Lisbon the largest city in Portugal, it also operates the largest container storage port on the Atlantic coast of Europe. Passengers will have the opportunity to explore one of the oldest cities in the world (older than London and even Rome) and visit places like the Belem Tower and Jeronimos Monastery.

Vigo, Spain

Get ready for Spanish dances and castanets, as the next place of visit will be Vigo in Spain. Vigo is known for its music and punk bands like Siniestro Total and Os Resentidos were born here. The award-winning movie “Mondays in the Sun” was shot in Vigo. With all this culture and arts, passengers can take a journey through the evolution of Spanish Music. Have a look at this video about Vigo.

Cherbourg, France

The last place to visit before the Opera arrives in Southampton is Cherbourg in France. Food, wine and cultural events will welcome passengers to this beautiful city. Passengers can visit the La Glacerie Race Track, The Cité de la Mar Museum and Le Trident Theatre. Have a look at this picture slide show:

Southampton, United Kingdom

The final day of the cruise and it is time for high tea in Southampton. Southampton is the largest city in England and only 121km away from London, allowing passengers who decide to stay longer to travel to London for the day.

Passengers can visit a number of museums including the Southampton Maritime Museum and the Sea City Museum that focus on the history of the RMS (Royal Mail Ship) Titanic.

Theatre lovers can visit the largest Theatre in Southern England with a capacity of 2300 people, the Mayflower Theatre. West End shows like Les Miserables �and the ever popular The Rocky Horror Show are only two examples of well known shows that played at the Mayflower. Below is the trailer of STOMP performed at the Mayflower:

Art Lovers have the choice of hundreds of art galleries to visit while music junkies can follow the roots of popular artists and bands like Pink Floyd, David Bowie and Amy Winehouse at a wide number of music museums and venues around town.

Travel Documents and Currency

All passengers will be required to sail with valid passports and South African Citizens will be required to present their South African passport to exit and enter South Africa. No ID Documents, driver's licences or copies of passports will be accepted. Passengers failing to present the correct documentation will be denied boarding the ship. All non-South African Citizens must have their permanent residence endorsed in their passport.

The information contained here is to be used as a guideline only (refer to the relevant Embassy/Consulate to ensure that you have the most current information in relation to travel documentation required to enter any port at which the cruise ship is scheduled to stop).

NAMIBIA – Walvis Bay

Visa information
- South African and British passport holders do not require a visa for Namibia.
Health Requirements
- Required Vaccination: There are no official Health requirements for Namibia
Currency: The official currency is the Namibian Dollar (NAD). Its' value is equivalent to the South African Rand
(also accepted as legal currency in Namibia).Major credit cards are accepted.
Travellers Cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at any bank or bureau de change.
ATM's are available in larger towns only.

SENEGAL – Dakar

Visa information
- Visas are not required for S.A passports holders visiting Senegal. British Passport holders to check with the Embassy
Health Requirements
- Yellow Fever Certificate
Currency: The official currency is the West African CFA Franc (XOF). Credit cards are accepted only by major establishments catering to the tourist trade, with American Express being the most widely accepted (commission is charged) There are ATM's in Dakar, and travellers cheques can also be cashed in Dakar.

EUROPE – Santa Cruz de Tenerife (SPAIN), Funichal (PORTUGAL), Lisbon (PORTUGAL), Vigo (PORTUGAL), Cherbourg (FRANCE), Southampton (UNITED KINGDOM)

Visa information:
- A multiple entry, short stay Schengen Visa will be required by South African Passport holders.
The country of your longest stay will issue your Schengen visa. Only if your stay in the Schengen states is the same number of days in each country would you apply through the country of the first port of entry. A visa is required for South African Passport holders to enter the United Kingdom.

The information contained herein is intended as a guide only and confirmed correct at the time of compilation. The final responsibility rests with the passenger to ensure that all Travel and Health Documents are in order and are obtained timeously. Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travelers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Ask our travel consultant your questions here. She would love to assist.