The new £11k cruise holiday visiting 3 incredible counties tourists almost never visit

American cruise line Crystal Cruises has unveiled an incredible 31-night holiday, new for 2025, that will explore the western coast of and , calling in nine countries.

As an added bonus, many of the destinations on the itinerary are hardly ever frequented by tourists to the continent, meaning there will be no jostling for the best picture spots that have become synonymous with the top cruise ports.

Sailing from April 12 to May 13, fares start from £11,100 per guest while some of the most luxurious penthouse suites, kitted out with a private veranda and a butler service, are available from an eyewatering £40,400 per guest.

Destinations include the underrated African countries of , Benin and Sao Tome and Principe, as well as the more well-known ports of Cape Verde, the Canary Islands and, finally, Lisbon. 

“Embarking at Cape Town, we head up the West African coastline to explore its natural beauty, including the vast sand dunes at Swakopmund and Angola’s spectacular Serra da Leba road on the clifftops of Tundavala Gap,” writes Crystal Cruise’s , before the ship heads north into the Atlantic and the countries of Ghana and then Europe. 

Crystal is offering several one-in-a-lifetime land experiences during the month-long cruise, including an immersive city tour of Namibe or Luanda, a panoramic island drive and climb up Monte Verde in , whale watching in Madeira and chocolate tasting experiences in Sao Tome.

All the experiences last a couple of hours.

Boarding Namibia to the south, the DRC to the north, Zambia to the east and the Atlantic to the west, the stunning country of Angola receives far fewer than it deserves each year. Home to scenic coastlines, wildlife reserves and historic landmarks, it has the potential to become one of the continent’s leading destinations. 

In 2023, Angola recorded just 169,000 tourist arrivals, while received a record-breaking 14.9 million. From the sand seas of the Namib – the world’s oldest desert – where you can find the tallest dunes in the world, to the awe-inspiring Fish River Canyon, Namibia is home to some of Africa’s most spectacular natural sights.

The French-speaking West African nation of Benin, meanwhile, is also a hidden gem of a destination, home to a rich history, vibrant culture and many tourist attractions including the of Abomey and the capital of Porto Novo. 

Finally, the remote tropical island destination of  boasts a variety of activities from hiking, snorkelling, birdwatching and exploring the local culture.  

The ship will then head northwards into the likes of the and Portugal, just as temperatures reach a pleasant maximum of 26C. 

The ship, Crystal Symphony, launched in 1995 and last refurbished in 2023, boasts a guest capacity of 606, with an impressive guest to space ratio of 84.2 cubic feet per person. It is also home to a spa, world-renowned restaurants and even a university for those looking to learn while at sea. 

During the cruise, there will also be an array of lectures, from world affairs to forensic law, to comedy and musical shows.