In late March, you can board the Costa Smeralda in Cape Town and spend over half a month on board, cruising all the way to Barcelona for only €699. There’s no solo traveller surcharge, meaning that you can each have a cabin to yourselves. If an inside cabin isn’t appealing for such a long trip, you can also pay €899 for an outside cabin or €999 for a balcony cabin.
All prices include all tips on board, as well as all meals. You also get free water and tea in the buffet restaurant. As mentioned before, the price stays exactly the same if you book for only 1 passenger.
The Route
This itinerary begins in Cape Town, departing in the evening to embark on a relaxing journey across the Atlantic. After two days at sea, the first stop is Walvis Bay, Namibia, where you’ll have two days to take in the striking desert scenery and coastal wildlife. A week-long stretch at sea provides time to unwind and enjoy the ocean before arriving in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, known for its volcanic landscapes and unique culture. Tangier, Morocco, is next, offering a mix of Mediterranean and North African influences. The journey concludes in Barcelona, with an early morning arrival.
Here’s the exact itinerary:
- March 18: Cape Town (departs at 20:00)
- March 19 – 20: At sea
- March 21: Walvis Bay, Namibia (arrives at 8:00)
- March 22: Walvis Bay, Namibia (departs at 18:00)
- March 23 – 31: At sea
- April 1: Santa Cruz de Tenerife (8:00 – 17:00)
- April 2: At sea
- April 3: Tangier, Morocco (10:00 – 19:00)
- April 4: At sea
- April 5: Barcelona (arrives at 4:30)
The Ship
The Costa Smeralda, launched in 2020, accommodates up to 5,200 passengers. With a gross tonnage of 182,000, the ship measures 337 meters in length, and 36 meters in width, and features a draft of 8 meters. It boasts 18 decks and was constructed at the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland, with a building cost of approximately $950 million.
The ship features 15 restaurants, including Chinese and Japanese options. Six are included in the cruise fare, offering basic dining experiences (main dining rooms and buffets). Three areas are reserved for suites, club members, or families. Six premium dining venues are available for an additional charge, providing higher-quality cuisine in exclusive settings.
Throughout the public decks, there are 19 bars, as well as amenities like a cinema, theatre, shopping centre, casino, pool deck (with a covered pool for cooler days), fitness centre, water slide, disco, aqua park, and a kids’ club.
Getting to Cape Town
Currently, the cheapest option to fly to Cape Town is Norse’s non-stop flight from London, starting at [b =GBP]€406[/c], including food, drinks, 23 kg of checked luggage, and a 10 kg carry-on.
However, for those of you not living close to London, feel free to use our search form to see how much flights from your home town would cost:
Cover Picture: Costa Smeralda from above | © Costa Crociere S.p.A.