Le Dumont-D'urville sailing on February 21st, 2027

About Durban

Tourists from all over the world have been coming to Durban for more than half a century, attracted mainly by the city’s famous beaches and the all year-round sunshine. But once they arrive here, they soon discover that this city has a lot more than beautiful, golden beaches to offer. It is a center of world class sport and hosts major international events. It is a shopper’s paradise with sophisticated shopping malls and precincts, craft markets and street bazaars. It is an entertainment and hospitality center offering a wide range of accommodation from swish beachfront hotels to themed lodges, guesthouses, self-catering apartments and homely B&Bs. It is also a bustling commercial and manufacturing center connected to the business capitals of the world, and is built around one of the busiest ports in Africa.

Durban Attractions

There is an abundance of breathtaking scenery just beyond the city. To the north lies the bustling coastal town of Umhlanga, packed with hotels, restaurants and beautiful beaches. To the south is the Sapphire Coast, an endless stretch of sub-tropical paradise dotted with holiday towns. To the west lies the verdant Valley of 1000 Hills with its nature reserves and cultural villages. A little further afield, the Big 5 game reserves are just a few hours’ drive away, while to the west the mighty Ukhahlamba Drakensberg Park – a World Heritage Site – beckons.

About At Sea

Relax and enjoy your vacation onboard your ship. You can do as much or as little as you want.

About London

London is the place where the historic past and the vibrant present come alive. A blend of history, ground-breaking architecture and culture has created an amazing and constantly evolving city. Not surprisingly the capital has become a mecca for visitors and a great place to live. There really is something to appeal to everyone and whatever your interests may be, the city has it covered. With countless museums, galleries and entertainment options throughout the city there has never been a better time to come and find out just how much it has to offer.

London Attractions

Take an exciting sightseeing tour of London, seeing the Tower of London, Big Ben, Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Hyde Park, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.

London Activities

• Visit London's world-famous Victoria and Albert Museum, with seven miles of galleries on four floors.
• Explore Covent Garden in London, full of open-air cafés, stylish boutiques, and lively street entertainers. The famous Punch and Judy puppet show has been performed here since the 1600s.
• Visit beautiful St. Paul's Cathedral, site of many great events, including Sir Winston Churchill's funeral in 1965 and the wedding of Charles and Diana in 1981.
• Explore the famous Tower of London, built in 1066 as a fortress to guard the entrance to London. Today it is home to the Crown Jewels and other precious objects. The Tower is guarded by the famous Yeoman Warders, better known as Beefeaters.
• Board a train at King's Cross Station, where Harry himself caught the train to Hogwort's.

About Gqeberha (ex Port Elizabeth)

Originally the home of the San and Khoisan people and later the Xhosa tribe, the area now known as Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth) became a landing place for passing European ships after Portuguese navigator Bartolomew Diaz arrived in Algoa Bay in 1488. As part of the Cape Colony, the British occupied the area during the Napoleonic Wars and it was they who built Fort Frederick here in 1799. Twenty-one years later 4,000 settlers arrived, becoming the first permanent British residents of South Africa and Gqeberha. Sir Rufane Donkin, Acting Governor of the Cape Colony, founded Port Elizabeth, naming the settlement after his late wife. The town underwent rapid growth after 1873 following the construction of the railway to Kimberley, and is now one of the country’s major seaports. Like most South African cities, miles of beautiful coastline surround Gqeberha. Algoa Bay combines warm water and fair breezes, making it a mecca for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. Those interested in history can follow the Donkin Heritage Trail, past a succession of Victorian and Edwardian town houses, trim gardens and neo-Gothic churches. Just outside the town are a number of game reserves, including the famous Addo Elephant National Park.

About Gqeberha (ex Port Elizabeth)

Originally the home of the San and Khoisan people and later the Xhosa tribe, the area now known as Gqeberha (previously Port Elizabeth) became a landing place for passing European ships after Portuguese navigator Bartolomew Diaz arrived in Algoa Bay in 1488. As part of the Cape Colony, the British occupied the area during the Napoleonic Wars and it was they who built Fort Frederick here in 1799. Twenty-one years later 4,000 settlers arrived, becoming the first permanent British residents of South Africa and Gqeberha. Sir Rufane Donkin, Acting Governor of the Cape Colony, founded Port Elizabeth, naming the settlement after his late wife. The town underwent rapid growth after 1873 following the construction of the railway to Kimberley, and is now one of the country’s major seaports. Like most South African cities, miles of beautiful coastline surround Gqeberha. Algoa Bay combines warm water and fair breezes, making it a mecca for swimmers and water sports enthusiasts. Those interested in history can follow the Donkin Heritage Trail, past a succession of Victorian and Edwardian town houses, trim gardens and neo-Gothic churches. Just outside the town are a number of game reserves, including the famous Addo Elephant National Park.

About At Sea

Relax and enjoy your vacation onboard your ship. You can do as much or as little as you want.

About Cape Town

Cape Town's name originated from the term 'Cape of Good Hope' when Bartholomew Diaz and other seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain, like an inn that promised hospitality and prosperity. The presence of Table Mountain in all its splendour still invokes this kind of emotion. Cape Town is steeped in a rich history and is a cultural melting pot with its diverse and vibrant character being derived from Khoisan and other African tribes from the North, and Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers. Bustling and beautiful, the cosmopolitan nature of Cape Town means that one never tires of the multitude of experiences it has to offer.

Cape Town Activities

Table Mountain is one of South Africa's greatest landmarks and towers 1,086m above the City of Cape Town. One of the most significant and symbolically charged pieces of land in South Africa, Robben Island guards the entrance to Table Bay. The name hails from the Dutch word for seals, The island was home to Nelson Mandela who was imprisoned there along with other political prisoners. Now a living museum, the island and its ghosts are visited voluntarily. As a place of history, education and insight into South Africa’s past, this is an essential excursion. The return boat trip (half an hour each way) to this World Heritage Site and a guided tour around the museum by an ex-inmate is an experience never to miss. The Kirstenbosch Estate covers 528 hectares, 36 hectares make up the central landscaped garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, it is home to more than 8 500 indigenous plant species, and is known as one of the Seven Magnificent Botanical Gardens of the world. In 1982 two breeding pairs of African penguins (once known as Jackass penguins thanks to the braying sound they make) moved into prime beachfront estate at Boulders beach between Simonstown and Cape Point. Today there are over 3 000 of these birds living here and the area is now a National Park. Penguins can be viewed up close as they frolic in the water and waddle on land. Sometimes it's hard to tell who is watching who. You're likely to see penguin pairs strolling along the boardwalks and in the park. This is the one place in the world you will be able to swim and sunbathe with penguins.

About Cape Town

Cape Town's name originated from the term 'Cape of Good Hope' when Bartholomew Diaz and other seafarers looked forward to the sight of Table Mountain, like an inn that promised hospitality and prosperity. The presence of Table Mountain in all its splendour still invokes this kind of emotion. Cape Town is steeped in a rich history and is a cultural melting pot with its diverse and vibrant character being derived from Khoisan and other African tribes from the North, and Indonesian, French, Dutch, British and German settlers. Bustling and beautiful, the cosmopolitan nature of Cape Town means that one never tires of the multitude of experiences it has to offer.

Cape Town Activities

Table Mountain is one of South Africa's greatest landmarks and towers 1,086m above the City of Cape Town. One of the most significant and symbolically charged pieces of land in South Africa, Robben Island guards the entrance to Table Bay. The name hails from the Dutch word for seals, The island was home to Nelson Mandela who was imprisoned there along with other political prisoners. Now a living museum, the island and its ghosts are visited voluntarily. As a place of history, education and insight into South Africa’s past, this is an essential excursion. The return boat trip (half an hour each way) to this World Heritage Site and a guided tour around the museum by an ex-inmate is an experience never to miss. The Kirstenbosch Estate covers 528 hectares, 36 hectares make up the central landscaped garden on the eastern slopes of Table Mountain, it is home to more than 8 500 indigenous plant species, and is known as one of the Seven Magnificent Botanical Gardens of the world. In 1982 two breeding pairs of African penguins (once known as Jackass penguins thanks to the braying sound they make) moved into prime beachfront estate at Boulders beach between Simonstown and Cape Point. Today there are over 3 000 of these birds living here and the area is now a National Park. Penguins can be viewed up close as they frolic in the water and waddle on land. Sometimes it's hard to tell who is watching who. You're likely to see penguin pairs strolling along the boardwalks and in the park. This is the one place in the world you will be able to swim and sunbathe with penguins.

About At Sea

Relax and enjoy your vacation onboard your ship. You can do as much or as little as you want.

About Luderitz

The hazy Atlantic-coast town of Luderitz has immense appeal for its barren beauty and solitude. Many charming and fine buildings reveal its colonial history as the first German settlement in South West Africa.

Luderitz Activities

A visit to the Luederitz Museum in Diaz Street is a very worthwhile experience. The museum illustrates the history of the town, informs about diamond mining, the indigenous population, about life in the desert as well as on fishing and marine life. The new Luederitz Waterfront is an ambitious project, inspired by the successful Cape Town Waterfront. At present it is still lacking tenants who can afford the rent, and the offers for tourists are limited. Of great interest is the ghost town of Kolmanskop, which once formed the centre of the diamond industry in Namibia. One-hour guided tours take place only in the mornings.

About Walvis Bay

Walvis Bay, well known for its fishing industry, lies on the west coast of Africa, in Namibia. The lagune has prolific birdlife, a desert golf course and very nice hotels. B&B's right next to the lagune are also recommended.

Walvis Bay Attractions

The special attraction of Walvis Bay is the huge natural lagoon with its overwhelming abundance of seabirds. Also worth seeing in Walvis Bay, is the local museum in the Civic Centre, the Birdlife Information Centre and the wooden Rhenish mission church established in 1880.