Exploring the Coast of West Africa

Tema is a short drive from Ghana's fast-paced capital, Accra, a city that's culturally rich, modern, and historic all at once. European-built forts and Black Star Independence Square's public monuments offer a glimpse at the past. The neighborhood of Jamestown, a 17th century fishing community with old colonial buildings, is its pulse with an art scene and local bites like waakye—rice and beans with sides—at a low-key "chop bar."

Please Note: An arrival airport transfer, one pre-cruise hotel night and transfer from the hotel to the ship on Day 1 is included for guests arriving one day early. For guests arriving on Day 1, an airport to ship transfer will be provided.

In the 17th century, the British erected Fort William from local materials, and included a prison for slaves awaiting overseas transport. One of about forty slave castles, now a UNESCO site, it's been restored to house a museum detailing the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on Ghana. Cape Coast, nestled in a tropical rainforest, features diverse flora like palm trees and mahogany, along with fauna including monkeys, snakes, and birds.

Excursions today include a visit to Cape Coast Castle, with its legacy of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. You'll learn how it played a significant role in the gold and slave trades but also contributed to the arrival of Christianity; discover the West African Historical Museum inside the castle; and take part in a traditional Ghanaian drumming and dance performance and lessons. Optional excursions include an in-depth experience of Kakum National Park with its canopy walkway, hike, and bird watching, and a cooking class.

A solemn reminder of the past, 15th century Elmina Castle in Ghana was a key slave trade hub, originally protecting gold trade before Dutch and British slave trade involvement. This UNESCO site exemplified the era's contradictions, with Europeans in luxurious quarters above filthy, cramped slave dungeons. The infamous Door of No Return opened to ships on the grueling Middle Passage. Shore excursions include a stroll through Elmina's atmospheric alleyways, and a tour of Elmina Castle, the oldest and largest European building in Africa, a former warehouse used to trade gold, ivory, and eventually slaves, now recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also upgrade your tour to include a workshop to learn how to make traditional batik cloth.

The twin cities of Sekondi-Takoradi, known as Tadi, are a key commercial hub on Ghana's deepwater port, featuring a 17th century Dutch fort, a relaxed beachfront, and Africa's largest market offering coconuts, dried fish, and tangy jollof rice. Nearby Kakum National Park hosts an endangered Ghanaian rainforest with native wildlife, lush plant life, exotic birds, vibrant butterflies, and a Canopy Walkway suspended 100 feet above the ground.

A city pulsating with energy, Abidjan, the former capital of Côte D'Ivoire, stands as a hub of creativity and innovation. The thriving arts and music scene interweaves with the cultures, cuisines, and traditions that define Abidjan. Serving as a window into West Africa, the infectious tropical mood permeates the city. Abidjan's unique atmosphere, galleries, and markets, along with the fascinating National Museum, make it a captivating destination. Visit the highlights of Abidjan and Banco National Park; optional excursions include visiting a chocolate factory, the National Costume Museum, botanical garden, and learning how to cook attieke, a cassava couscous.

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship's observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip, or head to the library that is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert's view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from the onboard professional photographers.

The bustling capital of Liberia, Monrovia, was founded in the 1800s as a settlement for formerly enslaved people from North America. The National Museum is custodian to the region's history and art. Today's city is a mix of architectural styles, lively beaches, and street markets, such as the jumbled Waterside Market, filled with colorful fabric and crafts. Liberia's Creole cuisine fuses flavors brought from West Africa to America. Enjoy a tour of historical Monrovia; an all-day option is to visit Libassa Ecolodge and its wildlife sanctuary where they care for and rehabilitate wild confiscated or injured animals, followed by lunch and an afternoon of activities at the resort. The following day is at sea.

Sierra Leone's portside capital city occupies a major position in history as the home of formerly enslaved people from North America and Britain. Sites like Cotton Tree and the King's Yard Gate symbolize the town's somber past. Freetown today is a diverse city with a rich heritage—colorful Krio architecture, hearty, rice-based cuisine, and lively beaches. Options include visiting the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, which rescues endangered primates in a rainforest, and watching for local waterbirds on the Sierra Leone River Estuary near Bunce Island. The following day is at sea.

The remote Bijagos archipelago off Guinea-Bissau has 88 islands of mangroves, mudflats, savannas, and palm forests, protected as a UNESCO biosphere reserve. On Canhabaque island, local culture retains coming-of-age ceremonies like difuntu and fanado. The former capital Bolama, now sits abandoned, while Orango National Park's biodiverse ecosystems include wooded savannas and isolated villages led by matriarchal queen-priestesses. Excursions include touring Bolama Island, the former capital of Portuguese Guinea, and visiting a Bijagos village and seeing how the residents process cashew nuts and palm oil.

At the meeting point of the Gambia River and the Atlantic, Gambia's relaxed capital city, Banjul, sits on a little island filled with colonial buildings and vibrant markets. The 19th century Albert Market sells souvenirs and the vibrant traditional clothing of The Gambia's diverse ethnic groups. Locals invite visitors to their typical Gambian home or "compound" and tell stories of their heritage while offering herbal tea and traditional snacks. Visit the highlights of Banjul including the National Museum and Katchikally Crocodile Pool in Bakau; optional excursions include exploring the Makasutu palm forest and its many ecosystems and four-wheeling off the beaten track with stops at local villages and a school.

Fabulous museums, a thriving art scene, and elegant seaside dining showcase Dakar's rich culture and forward outlook. The bustling traditional Medina quarter with its mosques, tea shops, and street markets contrasts with the Senegalese capital's French-influenced architecture and cuisine. Mbalax music dominates the vibrant nightlife. Traditional crafts like woodcarvings and paintings sell at Soumbédioune market, making it the perfect souvenir stop. Optional excursions feature safaris at Bandia Natural Reserve and Somone Lagoon.

Please note: A ship to airport transfer is provided for guests departing after disembarkation.

Days 1-2: Dakar, Senegal
Day 3: Banjul, Gambia
Days 4-6: Bijagos Archipelago, Guinea-Bissau
Day 7: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Day 8: Day at Sea
Day 9: Monrovia, Liberia
Day 10: Day at Sea
Day 11: Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire
Day 12-13: Elmina Point / Takoradi
Day 14: Tema (Accra), Ghana