Join expert-led lectures that bring the Atlantic to life—from currents and climate to maritime history, migratory seabirds, and coastal cultures. Between talks, take part in hands-on science sessions in the ship’s lab, guided by specialists who transform raw data into insight.

Contribute to meaningful citizen science projects and learn field methods used by researchers at sea. These sessions deepen what you witness from deck and shore, adding scientific context to each sighting and conversation during the crossing.

Gather under the stars to stargaze from the open deck as the ship crosses the equator. Watch the sky transform—south of the line the Southern Cross anchors the night; farther north, the guiding point of Polaris comes into view, revealing a hemisphere-spanning sky.

The Expedition Team explains traditional wayfinding, prevailing winds, and how mariners read the heavens. This sky-led moment connects your voyage to centuries of Atlantic navigation and the rhythms of the ocean below.

Refine your craft in guided photography workshops with the expedition photo team. Learn to master manual settings and composition, track seabirds in flight, and work confidently with changing light across the open ocean.

Head on deck to practice techniques against dramatic horizons, dappled seas, and Atlantic swells and cloudscapes. Constructive feedback and editing tips help turn daily conditions into evocative visual stories of life between continents.

Unwind each night with evening recaps led by the Expedition Team. Review wildlife and weather patterns, trade observations with shipmates, and preview tomorrow’s plan—from deck activities to cultural insights for ports ahead.

These relaxed sessions weave your shared sightings into the bigger story of Atlantic exploration, linking ocean science, maritime traditions, and the human histories that shaped routes between South America, Africa, and Europe.

Explore UNESCO-listed Pelourinho, where pastel facades, stone plazas, and drum rhythms animate Salvador’s hilltop old town. Visit the lavish São Francisco Church, famed for baroque carvings sheathed in gold leaf, and ride the landmark Elevador Lacerda linking upper and lower cities with sweeping bay views.

Hear how Afro-Brazilian rhythms and faiths shaped Bahia’s identity as you wander workshops and squares. This guided experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with headsets and a local specialist leading the way.

Join a hands-on kitchen session to prepare moqueca baiana, the region’s silky seafood stew scented with coconut milk and dendê oil. Learn the balance of citrus, herbs, and heat before sampling street-favorite acarajé, black-eyed pea fritters with vatapá and pepper sauces.

Along the way, discuss Bahian migration stories and coastal ingredients that shaped its cuisine. This culinary workshop is at additional cost and bookable on tour; tastings and recipes are included.

Take a scenic drive to Monte Verde, São Vicente’s highest peak, for island-wide views over Mindelo Bay, Praia da Laginha, and the arid volcanic interior. Return to stroll Mindelo’s colonial center, where pastel facades and wrought-iron balconies frame music-filled streets.

Browse the bustling Mercado Municipal for spices and produce, and learn how trade winds shaped Cape Verde’s creole culture. This guided outing is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with photo stops along the route.

Settle into an intimate venue for a live set of morna—the soulful, guitar-led style made famous by Cesária Évora. Candlelit tables, Portuguese fado echoes, and Cape Verdean creole lyrics create a quietly stirring atmosphere.

Hear stories of sailors, longing, and return as musicians introduce melodies and instruments between songs. This cultural evening is at additional cost and bookable on tour; one drink is typically included at the live music bar.

Walk the lava-stone lanes of Vegueta, the 16th-century heart of Las Palmas, where balconied mansions and palm-shaded courtyards speak to transatlantic trade roots. Visit the evocative Casa de Colón museum and pause in the square facing Santa Ana Cathedral.

Discuss volcanic origins, Canary emigration, and Atlantic waystations that linked Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This guided cultural tour is at additional cost and bookable on tour; museum entry and headsets are included.

Trace Gran Canaria’s geology at the rim of the Caldera de Bandama, peering into a vast volcanic bowl edged with vines and prickly pear. Continue through pine-scented highlands to the traditional town of Teror, known for carved wooden balconies and artisan shops.

Step inside the Basilica of Nuestra Señora del Pino and learn how water, lava, and trade shaped island life. This panoramic excursion is at additional cost and bookable on tour; includes short guided walks at viewpoints.

Meet your fellow travellers and meet your Expedition Team as you settle into MS Fridtjof Nansen. Join a comprehensive expedition briefing that outlines the voyage from the South Atlantic to Europe, with time to explore observation decks and the onboard Science Center, your hub for discovery at sea.

Learn about safety and environmental protocols, route highlights, and how the team interprets wildlife, oceanography, and culture throughout the crossing. This hosted welcome typically happens early in the voyage and sets the tone for an engaging, curiosity-led journey.