Atlantic Coast And Iberia (V511) - April 2025

[michalmaron]

Hello everyone

I have a few questions for the above cruise in 2025, from Southampton, stopping at Vigo, Porto and Lisbon

My parents will be around and over 70 at the time, they’ve never cruised before but they were under impression of my cruise in Norway last June and they really would like to try it… with a style 😊 I’ve picked that specific cruise as has a good ratio for sea days and port days (3:3) which they like. Most 7 days itineraries have just 2 sea days. They prefer rather active time on port days but (due the age) with some limits

1. I’m just a bit worry about Bay of Biscay in April. Would be really rough ? Or it really doesn’t matter as the waters there are unpredictable all year round?

2. Was anyone in Portugal in April? What weather can be expected there? Would be closer Norway style in terms of clothes (layers) or still warmer than anywhere in Europe at that time of year?

3. I read a lot that Vigo is not that attractive but as it would be their first port generally I think travelling to Santiago de Compostella is not a good idea. However is there any nice place near by just outside the city? I was thinking about Cies Islands but I’m not sure if ferries would operate in April.

4. The cruise would be just before and during Easter. Is there any special event on board (like Christmas), menu changed for this occasion or rather same-o same-o. It’s Queen Victoria and during my cruise in June on the day of King Charle’s birthday the fake cake was presented in the lobby LOL

5. Porto and Lisbon are quite big so I’m sure we would find some attractions there.

I think that’s all my questions and thoughts right now but maybe any general advices would be good, any feedback would be a very much appreciated.

 

 

[rakkor]

The Bay of Biscay is an unknown, it can be really lumpy but also flat calm as we had at the beginning of October

I see you're  from Manchester, so temperature wise it'll likely to be shorts and t-shirt in Lisbon, maybe a little cooler in Vigo - Caveats do apply though, Lisbon in October was chucking it down, so you never know.

Vigo is a nice introduction, easy walk from the the ship, you dock right in town, and some lovely cafe's and a nice little town centre for a bimble around and to buy those things that you forgot to pack.

 

[exlondoner]

9 minutes ago, rakkor said:

The Bay of Biscay is an unknown, it can be really lumpy but also flat calm as we had at the beginning of October

I see you're  from Manchester, so temperature wise it'll likely to be shorts and t-shirt in Lisbon, maybe a little cooler in Vigo - Caveats do apply though, Lisbon in October was chucking it down, so you never know.

Vigo is a nice introduction, easy walk from the the ship, you dock right in town, and some lovely cafe's and a nice little town centre for a bimble around and to buy those things that you forgot to pack.

 

Totally agree Vigo is nice enough in a mild way. Vigo harbour is huge and sometimes, as you sail in, you see the dolphins that live there.