They’re pleasure cruises on the horizon now and we’re invited to track the voyage from slave ships to rave ships off West Africa.
Our friends at cultural expedition cruise pioneers Swan Hellenic have plotted routes north to the south of Africa for us.
From Cape Town to Casablanca and on to Lisbon, or south from Lisbon to Luanda.
And all at a generous 15 per cent saving thousands compared with the individual fares.
The first departs Cape Town on 25 March 2026, combining five northbound cruises.
To create a 51-night Grand Voyage, sailing the entire West Coast of Africa to Casablanca and on to Lisbon.
The second is a 35-night Grand Voyage sailing south from Lisbon to Luanda from 7 September 2026.
The passage of history
Swan Hellenic doesn’t skirt the fact that for hundreds of years the ships sailing out of West Africa carried slaves around the world.
But rather they introduce passengers to the forts of the transatlantic slave trade.
While at the same time getting up close and personal with the coastal elephants.
The lakeside dwellings of Benin and the pristine Bijagos Archipelago.
And from exploring the twisting cobbled streets of ancient medinas to falling in love with Lisbon.
Each Grand Voyage is on the purpose-built boutique ship SH Diana.
Which, of course, we know all about after spending time with her.
When she came up to see us in Leith last summer.
And saw how she can host 192 guests in 96 staterooms and suites, the majority with large balconies.
Oh Diana
SH Diana features a state-of-the-art gym, spa, panoramic sauna, club room, swimming pool with poolside grill.
And three dining venues: the Swan Restaurant, Club Lounge, and Pool Bar & Grill.
The five northbound cruises in the first half of 2026 range from seven to 13 nights long.
And are all still available separately or daisy chained as desired.
With an 11-night Cruising in Namibia: the Skeleton Coast offer, departing Cape Town on 25 March 2026 and arriving in Luanda on 5 April 2026.
The 13-night Southwest Africa Cruise, departing Luanda on 5 April 2026and arriving in Tema (Accra) on 18 April 2026.
The 13-night Cruise West Africa: The Slavery Coast, departing Tema (Accra) on 18 April and arriving in Dakar on 1 May.
The 7-night Cruise from Senegal to Morocco, departing Dakar on 1 May 2026 and arriving in Casablanca on 8 May 2026.
The 7-night Morocco to Portugal Cruise, departing Casablanca on 8 May 2026 and arriving in Lisbon on 15 May 2026.
The incredible expedition cruise leads in from £42,999 pp in a balcony stateroom based on two sharing.
Beautiful south
The three southbound cruises in the second half of 2026 are:
The 9-night Atlantic Cruise from Portugal to Senegal, departing Lisbon on 7 September 2026 and arriving in Dakar on 16 September.
The 13-night The Slavery Coast: from Senegal to Ghana, departing Dakar on 16 September 2026 and arriving in Tema (Accra) on 29 September 2026.
The 13-night West Africa Cruise from Ghana to Angola, departing Tema (Accra) on 29 September 2026 and arriving in Luanda on 12 October 2026.
The incredible expedition cruise leads in from £23,664 pp in an Ocean-view stateroom based on two sharing.
And though we all live these days in what they call ‘uncharted waters’ with Swan Hellenic they remind us.
How much better off we are as we have progressed from slave ships to rave ships off West Africa.
