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Spain/Portugal

Eclipse at Sea: A One-Time Voyage Through Spain & Portugal

Program No. 25622RJ
One ship. One departure. One chance to witness the 2027 total solar eclipse at sea — paired with the wonders of Spain and Portugal aboard the Sea Cloud Spirit.
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Start
Small ShipAdventures Afloat Study CruiseNewFloating Campus
Length
12 days
Rating
New
Activity Level
Starts at
16,999
Special Offer
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
12 days
11 nights
What's Included
29 meals ( 10B, 9L, 10D )
6 expert-led lectures
7 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
10 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Ride to port and board the ship. After completing boarding procedures and getting your cabin, take some time to unpack, freshen up, and relax and start becoming familiar with the ship. There will be a mandatory passenger briefing and safety drill. Please note that your departure is part of our Floating Campus programs. All routes and excursions are subject to change – weather and sea conditions may affect the itinerary. Sea conditions affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and sometimes miss ports because it is not safe to dock. Because of this, the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. The operators reserve the right to change the content of excursions without prior notice. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Aboard ship, we will learn from a lecturer; field trips will be led by local experts. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private motorcoach unless noted otherwise. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
Aboard Ship
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Lisbon is one of the oldest and most vibrant cities in the world, known to the Romans as Olisipo. It became the national capital in 1298. By motorcoach, we take in the most important monuments of the Portuguese capital. We pause to admire the Belém Tower, a gorgeous defensive tower that sits on the Rio Tejo like an enormous white wedding cake. We will then visit one of Lisbon's most treasured landmarks, the Jerónimos Monastery. Upon arrival, step into this masterpiece of Manueline architecture, where intricate carvings and centuries-old grandeur await. Enjoy time to wander through the monastery's cloisters and chapels, soaking in the serene beauty and fascinating history of this UNESCO-listed site, before returning to the ship.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. Later in the afternoon, we will gather with our lecturer to hear about topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
We will gather with our lecturer for a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Free time to enjoy the amenities and activities of your choice aboard ship. Later in the afternoon, we will gather with our lecturer to hear about topics relevant to our program.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Cadiz stands on a peninsula almost entirely surrounded by water. It is the oldest surviving city in Spain which was founded by the Phoenicians in 1100BC. Revel in the picturesque views of the scenic seaport as you make your way to the old quarter of Cadiz, passing by the Congress Building, Santo Domingo Church, and the old Royal Prison in Andalusian neo-classical style. Your tour will then carry on in direction of the ancient Phoenician port of La Caleta, and the Santa Catalina Fortress that once protected the town, with a short photo-stop there. You'll continue towards the Alameda Apodaca and the San Carlos Gate. When you arrive at Plaza San Juan de Dios, you will start a walking tour through the old town of Cadiz.
Lunch:
Lunch at a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
At leisure in Cadiz or aboard the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure aboard ship as we set sail for Gibraltar.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Depart from the Ship and drive north for your top of the rock discovery. Gibraltar is located at the southern tip of the Iberian peninsula and is considered to be the gates of the Mediterranean Sea! On the way drive across the runway completed in 1942 and used by General Eisenhower for his invasion of North Africa. We will then head towards Europe Point, where we can see North Africa and the Mediterranean sea and the Apes Den, home to the famous Barbary Macaques, the only free roaming apes in Europe. Continue the exploration of Gibraltar Rock, before returning to the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure. Enjoy activities aboard ship, spend time with fellow Road Scholars.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Departing from the pier this tour will take you to the major coastal city of Andalusia: Málaga. Take a panoramic drive and pass by some outstanding structures of Mudejar and Gothic architecture, parks and gardens, the city's bullring, until reaching the famous Gibralfaro Castle for a short outside visit and a photo stop. Your next stop will be the Picasso Museum, which is located in the Buenavista Palace, a historical building with classical characteristics from the 16th century Andalusian architecture, where Renaissance and Mudejar elements are mixed. The collection inside the museum gathers together paintings, sculptures, drawings, ceramic and graphic works of this unique artist throughout his life.
Lunch:
Lunch aboard ship or on your own in Málaga.
Afternoon:
At your leisure aboard the ship or in Málaga.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure aboard the ship.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Experience the century's second-longest solar eclipse from the deck of the Sea Cloud Spirit. A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the Sun, blocking all direct sunlight and turning day into darkness. Total solar eclipses are rare and spectacular phenomena, with any particular spot on Earth experiencing one, on average, only once every 375 years. Totality occurs only in a narrow path across Earth's surface, and the Sea Cloud will be positioned at sea right in the heart of this path of totality for you to encounter the full extent the eclipse. The experience will be elevated even further by lectures from our resident astronomy experts.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
At leisure aboard the ship. Join our experts for another lecture relevant to the day's solar eclipse.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure aboard ship.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Cartagena's heyday was during the Roman Empire, when it was known as Carthago Nova (the New Carthage) and later it was one of the important cities during the Umayyad invasion of Hispania, under its Arabic name of Qartayannat al-Halfa. The first stop on this tour is the restored Roman theater. The highlight of the visit is when you enter in the theatre itself and can see the enormity of the site, an arena that had capacity for 6000 people. You will then make your way up on foot to the Roman Forum site. Step back in time and explore the district around the Roman Forum of Cartagena, the former nerve centre of the ancient city of Cathago Nova. See the curia, the baths, the peristyle (columned courtyard), the atrium and many more remnants of an era that thousands of years later still fascinates.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
At leisure aboard ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure aboard ship.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
Free time aboard ship, including a lecture on topics relevant to our program.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
You will have the chance to explore both the historical city center and the most modern part of Valencia. Start viewing the most outstanding monuments in the Medieval City: The North Station, a modernist building designed by the architect Demetrio Ribes and inaugurated in 1917, and the Serranos Towers, one of the 12 doors that were in the old wall to protect Valencia for 500 years. Continue to the Central Market and La Lonja (old silk exchange), one of the best examples of civic Gothic architecture and step into the main Cathedral in Valencia's plaza de la Virgen, erected atop the site of a former Roman temple and Muslim mosque. In the most modern part of the city the highlight is the new landmark of Valencia, the City of Arts & Sciences, is the largest cultural-educational complex in Europe. After a short panoramic tour and a photo stop at this masterpiece, you will return back to the pier.
Dinner:
Aboard ship.
Evening:
At leisure aboard ship.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
At leisure aboard ship. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell meeting.
Lunch:
Aboard ship.
Afternoon:
Palma, founded by the Romans more than 2,100 years ago, is full of historical monuments and beautiful architecture. Follow your local expert on a walking tour of the city’s highlights as you learn of its rich history. Drive to Bellver Castle, a magnificent medieval fortress, built in the 14th Century. Outside the ramparts, from the lookout point, enjoy fantastic views of the city and port below. Drive through Paseo Maritimo, with its palm lined promenade, and visit Palma’s most impressive landmark and Spain’s second largest Gothic style cathedral, overlooking the harbor, with its long columns and arches. On your walking tour of the city center, you will have the chance to admire buildings of typical Majorcan architecture such as the Royal Palace, the fishing harbor, city walls, the former Merchandise Exchange of La Lonja and the Consulado del Mar, before returning to the ship.
Dinner:
Aboard ship or on your own in Palma.
Evening:
At leisure aboard the ship or in Palma.
Breakfast:
Aboard ship.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to like our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!