Ancient Wonders of the Black Sea

Overview

Ancient Wonders of the Black Sea

The Black Sea brings a unique flavour to this cruise with the alluring appeal of Odessa in Ukraine, the historic Romanian city of Constanza and the Bulgarian beach resort of Nessebar, with its rich medieval roots.

What's included:

  • A chauffeur service to the port up to 250 miles each way or included car parking,
  • All meals, snacks and daily afternoon tea including speciality dining
  • All-inclusive drinks
  • Included sightseeing excursions
  • All on-board 'tips' and bar service charges
  • 24-hour room service plus Free Wi-Fi
  • Unlimited tea, coffee and fruit juices in selected venues
  • Porterage of luggage at the port
  • Free shuttle bus at most ports

Hand Picked By

Mandy Shilling

"As a main agent for Saga we were excited about their new 2022 sailings. By booking early, you can enjoy the best discounts, and their price promise ensures you will always receive the best price - even if they lower their fares after you've booked. And, as peace of mind is important to our customers, they include insurance and cancellation cover as standard which includes cover for Covid 19."

Mandy Shilling

Additional Information

  • Departure Date: 21st May 2022
  • Duration: 32 nights
  • Highlights: The Black Sea brings a unique flavour to this cruise with the alluring appeal of Odessa in Ukraine, the historic Romanian city of Constanza and the Bulgarian beach resort of Nessebar, with its rich medieval roots.

Ship Overview

Spirit of Adventure

Spirit of Adventure's maiden season is now on sale. Taking to the oceans in the Summer of 2020, our second new ship is being built by the same expert team at the Meyer Werft shipyard.

She's a beautiful sister to Spirit of Discovery, but with a host of surprises all her own, including two new speciality restaurants and vibrant new cabins, all with a private balcony for every guest.

Spirit of Adventure Profile

  • Gross register tonnage: 58,250
  • Passengers: 999 Guest capacity (double occupancy)
  • Crew: 517
  • Length: 774.3ft
  • Beam: 102.4ft
  • Year built: 2020
Spirit of Adventure Deck Plan

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Southampton

Day 2-4: At Sea

Day 5: Gibraltar

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

You’ll be greeted by views of the iconic Rock of Gibraltar as Spirit of Adventure reaches this unique British enclave. Located at the tip of Iberia, Gibraltar is blessed by Mediterranean sunshine, and boasts a fascinating military history, as well as VAT-free shopping in familiar high street shops. The mighty Rock, famous for its impish Barbary apes, is hollowed out by a network of caves, tunnels and an interesting military museum – well worth a visit during your day ashore.

Alternatively, head to Europa Point, Europe's most southerly point, before enjoying high tea at the historic art deco Rock Hotel.

Day 6 & 7: At Sea

Day 8: Tunis, Tunisia

Arrive 0800. Depart 1600.

Today Spirit of Adventure will cruise into La Goulette, the port for Tunis. The Tunisian capital is home to many archaeological sites, including the ancient remains of Carthage. The city centre itself is an eclectic mix of Berber and Arab cultures which can be discovered in the UNESCO-listed medieval Medina.

Day 9: Valletta, Malta

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Malta marks the heart of the Mediterranean and history pervades every corner of its capital, Valletta, which was built by the Knights of St John in the 16th century. Look out for the honey-hued sandstone buildings, the finest of which has to be baroque St John's Co-Cathedral, during your included sightseeing tour. Alternatively, perhaps visit the nearby ‘Silent City’ – the ancient town of Mdina, so named for its traffic-free streets.

Day 10: At Sea

Day 11: Piraeus (for Athens), Greece

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

From Piraeus it's just a short hop into Athens, one of the great cities of antiquity, where many memorable sights await you. The iconic Acropolis and its 2,400-year-old Parthenon is a must-see attraction. Your included sightseeing tour also reveals Constitution Square, the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, the Temple of Zeus and the Olympic Stadium.

Day 12: Cruise The Dardanelles

Day 13: Constanza, Romania

Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.

Set on the Black Sea Coast, legend has it that this is where Jason landed with his Argonauts after claiming the Golden Fleece. This ancient metropolis is also said to be Romania's longest continually inhabited city as well as its chief port. It comes as no surprise that Constanța is renowned for its outstanding seafood restaurants.

Day 14: Odessa, Ukraine

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Odessa has a reputation as a lively, artistic and cultural centre and this morning you can join an included tour of this beautiful city which was founded by Catherine the Great in the 18th century. Its wealth of treasures includes three palaces, a 19th-century Opera House and the famous Potemkin Steps.

Perhaps climb this vast staircase from the harbour into the town, where you'll be greeted by a statue of Duke de Richelieu, Odessa's first mayor. Other sights include the Tolstoy Mansion, built in the 19th century and exquisitely preserved, and the eerie Odessa Catacombs, used by the Soviet army during World War II.

Day 15: At Sea

Day 16: Batumi, Georgia

Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.

Set on the Black Sea coast close to the border with Turkey, Batumi is one of Georgia’s most popular holiday resorts. Backed by verdant mountains and plantations, its leafy streets feature many fine, restored historic buildings. Among the main sights are Batumi Cathedral and the Botanical Gardens, created during the city’s period of rule under Imperial Russia.

Day 17: Trabzon, Turkey

Arrive 0800. Depart 1600.

Trabzon is located on the historic Silk Road trading route and has been a melting-pot of religions, languages and cultures for centuries. The Old Town is still surrounded in part by defensive stone walls dating back to the Roman Empire. You’ll see some of the city’s historic architecture during your included sightseeing tour. Or, you may like to view the incredible Sumela Monastery, which clings precariously to a cliff face overlooking the lush surroundings of Altmdere National Park.

Day 18: Sinop, Turkey

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Wrapped around the isthmus of Ince Burun in the ancient Turkish region of Paphlagonia, the town of Sinop has a turbulent past. Destroyed by the Cimmerians, burnt by the Romans and reduced to ashes again by the Russian navy during the Crimean War, it’s no surprise that the town’s monuments are mostly ruins. A ruined citadel, rebuilt during the Byzantine and Seljuq periods, several isolated columns and inscribed stones set within old walls and dating from the early Greek and Roman periods, and the 13th-century Alseddin Cami mosque can still be seen here.

Day 19: At Sea

Day 20: Varna, Bulgaria

Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.

Packed with history yet thoroughly modern, Varna is one of the most interesting and cosmopolitan cities on the Black Sea coast. The city centre is home to Bulgaria’s largest Roman baths complex and finest archaeological museums, as well as a lively cultural and culinary scene. The city also boasts a huge park and lengthy beach for outdoor activities.

Day 21: Nessebar, Bulgaria

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Virtually an island, the walled old town of Nessebar sits on a rocky peninsula and is linked to the new town on the mainland by a narrow man-made isthmus. The maze of narrow, cobbled lanes are dotted with remains of Roman and Middle Age forts, numerous Byzantine churches, and wooden houses from the National Revival period of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Day 22: Istanbul

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

East and west collide in this transcontinental city which straddles the Bosphorus Strait, and an included tour offers the perfect introduction to this vibrant metropolis. Originally named Constantinople by the Romans, a city has stood here for almost three millennia, ruled by various empires from the Greeks to the Ottomans, and as a result, Istanbul simply oozes history.

Contrast two of its greatest mosques, the extraordinary Blue Mosque, so called for its blue mosaic tile work, with the ancient St Sophia – an exquisite example of Byzantine architecture that dates back to the 6th century.

Day 23: At Sea

Day 24: Iraklion, Crete

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Admire the Venetian fortress of Rocca al Mare as you approach Heraklion, by far the biggest city on Crete and one of the five largest in Greece. The city centre is still surrounded by huge walls built by the Venetians and is renowned for its lively markets. Perhaps uncover the ancient history of Crete by visiting the Palace of Knossos, court of the legendary King Minos whose wife Pasiphae gave birth to the Minotaur, half-bull, half-man. From here you can continue to Arolithos, a fascinating replica of a typical Cretan village.

Day 25 & 26: At Sea

Day 27: Cagliari, Italy

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

3,000 years in the making, Sardinia’s hillside capital creates quite the impression as you arrive by sea. From a beautiful beach, to an array of museums and monuments, there’s plenty to see and do. Explore the narrow, winding streets that lead up to the old quarter, discover the two white stone medieval towers and wander through the 16th-century church. Alternatively, join a tour of the coastal ruins of Nora, where you can see ancient mosaics.

Day 28 & 29: At Sea

Day 30: Lisbon

Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.

Cruise under the impressive 25 de April suspension bridge, often compared to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, to reach Lisbon’s elegant capital. Renowned for its array of architectural styles, in particular the Moorish Alfama district, Lisbon contains a host of must-see attractions.

The colourful 18th-century squares are home to such historical delights as Belém Tower, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Monument to the Discoveries – both reminders of Portugal’s seafaring prowess. An included sightseeing tour provides a great introduction to the area.

Day 31 & 32: At Sea

Day 33: Southampton

Additional Information

  • Departure Date: 21st May 2022
  • Duration: 32 nights
  • Highlights: The Black Sea brings a unique flavour to this cruise with the alluring appeal of Odessa in Ukraine, the historic Romanian city of Constanza and the Bulgarian beach resort of Nessebar, with its rich medieval roots.

Cabin and Fares

Cabin TypeGuide PriceAdditional InfoCabinEnquire
BalconyFrom £8,957ppAll InclusiveView Cabin

Balcony

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All cabins include 24-hour room service, Wi Fi, tea & coffee making facilities, turndown service, private balcony, private bathroom and wc with shower, fresh fruit, bathrobes, slippers and toiletries.

Enquire Now
View Cabin

Balcony

--

All cabins include 24-hour room service, Wi Fi, tea & coffee making facilities, turndown service, private balcony, private bathroom and wc with shower, fresh fruit, bathrobes, slippers and toiletries.

Enquire Now