The Milky Way, Perseid Meteor Shower and shooting stars; these are just some of the natural phenomena Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ guests will have the chance to see in the night skies during specially-timed sailings to the Azores in 2024.

Nestled in the Atlantic Ocean, the Azores are an enchanting archipelago of nine volcanic islands, and with little to no light pollution off the coast, it makes them the perfect destination for stargazing.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ in-house team of Journey Planners have crafted nine sailings to the Azores in 2024, all with astronomical highlights in mind. Plus, experts from astronomy organisation Go Stargazing will be on board a selection of these, to help guests make the most of their time out on deck.

Wil Cheung, astronomer and co-founder of Go Stargazing, said:

“What’s most exciting about the Azores is that the lower you get towards the equator, the more of the Milky Way you’ll get to see. It’s one of the most incredible things that people need to experience in their lifetime, and what’s more, April to September is Milky Way season.

“The galactic core is the key part, and with the Azores, it’s one of the best places to witness the stunning beauty of the centre of our galaxy.

“We’ll also be able to see constellations that we wouldn’t normally be able to from the UK, such as Centaurus, which is the centre of the Milky Way, and Scorpio.

“And with little to no light pollution while at sea, there has never been a more perfect opportunity to look up and enjoy our stunning clear, dark skies.”

Astronomical highlights over the coming months include the Lyrid meteor shower in April, a bright moon in the sky and a comet in October.

As part of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ Sky at Sea Signature Experiences, the stargazing experts will spend time on deck helping guests to navigate the night sky with laser-guided tours of the constellations, observe fascinating celestial objects from the Moon’s craters to distant galaxies and experience natural phenomena.

James Moss, Itinerary Product Manager at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“With limited flight opportunities to the Azores, cruising is the best way to explore the archipelago, which is brimming with natural wonders and cultural heritage.

“Viewing the night sky is a remarkable experience but doing so away from the light pollution on one of Fred. Olsen’s smaller-sized ships takes it to a whole new level.

“While these astronomical events will undoubtedly be a highlight, the waters of the Azores are great for whale-watching. Ashore, there are opportunities to discover Algar do Carvão, one of the world’s only volcanoes that guests can explore on foot, visit the Sete Cidades crater lakes, hike the Misterios Negros Nature Trail and learn about how the islands cultivate pineapples and tea – making the Azores a fantastic destination to visit, both day and night.”

Departures are available from Southampton, Dover, Liverpool and Rosyth, on board all three of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ smaller-sized ships, Bolette, Borealis and Balmoral.

Guests who book before 30^th April inclusive can enjoy up to £405 per person in credit to spend on board, or free door-to-door transfers for up to 200 UK mainland miles, on selected sailings. These offers are also available to solo travellers on selected cruises.

The 2024 Azores cruises are:

Bolette’s 14-night T2408 ‘Natural Wonders and Wildlife of the Azores and Madeira’ cruise departing from Liverpool on 19^th April 2024. Prices start from £2,299 per person.

• Marvel at the wonders of beautiful Portuguese islands
• Explore volcanic sites in the Azores
• Go in search of whales with ORCA on Bolette
• Have the chance to see the Lyrid meteor shower and shooting stars

Itinerary: Liverpool, UK – Praia da Vitoria, Azores – Ponta Delgada, Azores – Cruising by Santa Maria, Azores – Cruise by Cabo Girao, Madeira – Funchal, Madeira (overnight stay) – Lisbon, Portugal – Leixões, Portugal – Liverpool, UK
For more details: Visit T2408 ‘Natural Wonders and Wildlife of the Azores and Madeira’

Bolette’s 13-night T2416 ‘Volcanic Islands and Hidden Gems of Portugal’ cruise departing from Liverpool on 6^th July 2024. Prices start from £1,699 per person.

• Search for the Sete Cidades crater lakes from Ponta Delgada
• Search for dolphins and whales from Bolette’s decks with ORCA
• Embrace Portuguese traditions and savour local cuisines
• Look out for the Milky Way core and the largest manmade space station passing over

Itinerary: Liverpool, UK – Praia da Vitoria, Azores – Ponta Delgada, Azores – Cruising by Santa Maria, Azores – Funchal, Madeira – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Cruise by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal – Leixões, Portugal – Liverpool, UK
For more details: Visit T2416 ‘Volcanic Islands and Hidden Gems of Portugal’

Borealis’ 14-night S2417 ‘Volcanic Islands of the Azores and Madeira’ cruise departing from Dover on 31^st July 2024. Prices start from £1,899 per person.

• Discover more of Portugal’s maritime history in Lisbon
• Admire the blue hydrangeas in full bloom in the Azores
• Spot sperm whales and other marine life with ORCA representatives
• Search for the Milky Way, the planet Saturn and the start of the Perseid Meteor Shower

Itinerary: Dover, UK – Praia da Vitoria, Azores – Ponta Delgada, Azores – Funchal, Madeira (overnight stay) – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Cruise by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal – Leixões, Portugal – Dover, UK
For more details: Visit S2418 ‘Volcanic Islands of the Azores and Madeira’

Balmoral’s 15-night L2424 ‘Portugal’s Islands in Search of the Meteor Shower’ cruise departing from Rosyth on 7^th August 2024. Prices start from £1,999 per person.

• This cruise is planned to coincide with the Perseid Meteor Shower
• Spot shooting stars from the decks of Balmoral in the Azores
• Spent time with an astronomer who will offer an insight into this event
• Seek out the Milky Way, Saturn rising in the East and constellation Scorpio

Itinerary: Rosyth, UK – Praia da Vitoria, Azores – Horta, Azores – Ponta Delgada, Azores – Vila Franca Islet, Portugal – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Cruise by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal – Leixões, Portugal – Rosyth, UK
For more details: Visit L2424 ‘Portugal’s Islands in Search of the Meteor Shower’

Borealis’ 14-night S2420 ‘Volcanic Islands of the Azores and Madeira’ cruise departing from Southampton on 28^th August 2024. Prices start from £1,899 per person.

• Delve into the Age of Discovery in UNESCO-listed Angra do Heroismo
• Explore the walking trails and botanical gardens in Madeira
• Spot a variety of marine life from Borealis with wildlife charity ORCA
• Look for the Milky Way, Saturn and the constellation Pegasus

Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Praia da Vitoria, Azores – Ponta Delgada, Azores – Cruising by Santa Maria, Azores – Funchal, Madeira (overnight stay – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal – Leixões, Portugal – Southampton, UK
For more details: Visit S2420 ‘Volcanic Islands of the Azores and Madeira’

Borealis’ 13-night S2422 ‘Volcanic Islands of the Azores and Madeira’ cruise departing from Southampton on 20^th September 2024. Prices start from £1,699 per person.

• Explore Portugal’s maritime history and floral gardens
• Join ORCA conservationists on Borealis’ decks to spot marine life
• Visit the levada walking trails in Madeira
• Witness the galactic core, Saturn shining brightly and autumn constellations

Itinerary: Southampton, UK – Praia da Vitoria, Portugal – Ponta Delgada, Portugal – Cruising by Santa Maria, Portugal – Funchal, Portugal (overnight stay) – Leixões, Portugal – Southampton, UK
For more details: Visit S2422 ‘Volcanic Islands of the Azores and Madeira’

Bolette’s 14-night T2425 ‘Natural Wonders and Wildlife of the Azores and Madeira’ cruise departing from Liverpool on 27^th October 2024. Prices start from £1,699 per person.

• Visit the world’s largest Gothic cathedral in Seville on a tour from Cadiz
• Spot marine life from the decks of Bolette with ORCA conservationists
• Enjoy time in the gardens and levada trails in Madeira
• Search for the Milky Way, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn

Itinerary: Liverpool, UK – Praia da Vitoria, Azores – Ponta Delgada, Azores – Cruising by Santa Maria, Azores – Cruise by Cabo Girao, Madeira – Funchal, Madeira – Cadiz, Spain – Cruise Mouth of River Tagus, Belem Tower and Discovery Monument, Portugal – Cruise by Cristo Rei and Abril 25 Bridge, Portugal – Lisbon, Portugal – Leixões, Portugal – Liverpool, UK