cruise to canary islands and dakar

[whylion]

Has anyone been on the QE2 cruise to canary islands and africa? My partner is keen to go, but I'm worried that Senegal will be scary and we'll have to get a lot of shots. Are you safe from malaria if you stay on the ship?

thanks

[atticus]

I was on the QM2 cruise to Senegal and the Canary Islands a year ago.

 

The Canary Islands are very nice. Lanzarote like something I have never seen before - a moonscape is the only way to descibe it. Las Palmas nice and lush with lovely views.

 

Dakar was terrifying in some ways. I have never seen poverty like that. We took a trip out to see the Pink Lake of Retba - really not so pink - and then had a truck ride over the dunes. I honestly thought I was going to be crushed by the truck flipping over. Many other passengers on this excursion were frightened by the ride. Also had escorted and armed militia with us during our ride who were very friendly and beautiful people.

 

Some of the Senegalese we passed on the roads out to Retba didn't seem to be too pleased with our arrival - can't tell you how many times we were given the finger, shouted at or worse. Although considering what we represented to some of these people - who could blame them. I didn't have the feeling that it was a Muslim/Christian resentment, but more a wealth issue.

 

Heard stories of a few passengers and crew members getting hassled/groped in the markets. But friends of mine went out shopping in the market and had no problems whatsoever.

 

I'm glad that I saw Dakar and it forced me to see outside what life is really like outside my bubble.