Cruise Program

Cruise Details

Spain and France Cruise- Aurora P&O Cruise

After a day at sea unwinding aboard Aurora, we arrive at our first call – La Coruna – an intriguing location mixing beach life with a bustling modern metropolis.
The next day head to exciting northern coastal city of Bilbao, where you could meander through the 14th century old town, tour a cathedral, visit The Guggenheim modern art gallery – or even surf!
Sailing on, we reach La Rochelle. Life here revolves around its picturesque harbour and Old Port. Visit the excellent aquarium, or tickle your taste buds with a visit to the small town of Cognac and its famous Courvoisier, Hennessy and Martell cellars.
Our last call is Cherbourg, where you can enjoy a drink in a traditional French café while watching the boats as they come and go from the harbour before sailing back to Southampton.

Main stops of your itinerary:

La Coruna - Spain

The name of Coruna's cruise dock - Transatlantic Quay - reflects its location on the northwestern tip of the Iberian Peninsular making it - you might be surprised to learn - the closest European port to New York.
It is a charming mixture of old town and new town also with a couple of beaches along the two-mile stretch of coastline it overlooks. The colonnaded Maria Pita Square is at the heart of the old town, with many shops, bars and restaurants all around. There are various fascinating museums including the interactive House of Mankind plus an aquarium and planetarium.
Coruna is also the main Atlantic gateway to one of the most ruggedly scenic regions in Spain - Galicia. Among its attractions is one of the world’s great pilgrimage destinations: Santiago de Compostela, with its Romanesque cathedral.

Bilbao - Spain

The Basque city and cruise port of Bilbao in northern Spain has become one of the hottest destinations in Europe following the opening of the imaginatively-designed Guggenheim modern art gallery, which is an architectural work of avant-garde art in its own right.
Until then, Bilbao was very much a working city but it has always boasted a lively old town dating from the 14th century. Through the winding alleyways of the Casco Viejo you can stop to sample tapas at the many exceptional local bars and restaurants.
Other sights include the arcaded Plaza Nueva and the Gothic Cathedral de Santiago. One of Spain’s most important art collections is housed across the city at the Museo de Bellas Artes. This features works dating from the 12th century through to contemporary art by Cezanne, Gauguin and Francis Bacon.

La Rochelle - France

The 14th century twin towers of St Nicolas Fort and the Tour de la Chaine (named after the chain once drawn across the harbour to keep out night intruders) ensure a dramatic entrance when you cruise between them into the French Atlantic cruise port La Rochelle-Pallice.
The medieval city of La Rochelle is just 10 minutes away and offers an intriguing mix of well preserved and restored historic buildings and marketplaces within a lively modern city full of bars and restaurants and with an excellent aquarium. Tickle your taste buds with a visit to the small town of Cognac and its famous Courvoisier, Hennessy and Martell cellars. Along the way, you will pass through ancient towns like Saintes with Romanesque churches, arches and arenas.

Cherbourg-France

Now officially known as Cherbourg-Octeville, having formed a union with the smaller city in 2000, Cherbourg has long been a gateway between Britain and France. Well worth a visit is Cherbourg’s aquarium, allowing visitors to explore the many facets of underwater exploration. Another must see is the Gothic-style Benedictine Abbey Mont St Michel, perched on a rocky islet near the port. Alternatively simply sit at a traditional French cafe and enjoy a drink while watching the boats as they come and go from the harbour.