Your journey starts in Jamestown, a uniquely situated city that offers much to see before setting sail. Enjoy the local British culture, pleasant tropical climate, and endemic birds of this remote volcanic island. You can visit Longwood House, where Napoleon died in 1821, and even walk the 699-step Jacob’s Ladder if you feel ambitious enough. If you have more time, you can also go on small hikes or snorkel the shallows, seeing multitudes of tropical and subtropical fish.

Today the aim is to sail along the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the sprawling submarine mountain range that runs about 16,000 km (10,000 miles) from the Arctic Ocean toward the southern tip of Africa. Join stargazing on the aft deck, showing you the many highlights of the equatorial sky. Weather permitting, these celestial wonders can be seen with binoculars or even with the naked eye.

This dry volcanic island is a major home for the sooty tern (also known as the wideawake), whose colony here sometimes grows to over a million breeding pairs. You may get the chance for a hike to the richly vegetated top of this island, and a visit the shore to watch the green turtles laying eggs on the beach.

Joining you across the equator are Arctic terns and long-tailed skuas flying their northbound spring migration. At this stage of the voyage, hope for good weather as you attempt more stargazing on deck, observing how the polar star becomes visible on the northern horizon.

Disembark in Praia on Santiago Island - the capital of the Cape Verde Islands, at 9:00 hours*. If you’re flying out on the night of April 25/ April 26, there is an additional tour in and around Praia. Here you can visit the historic Cidade Velha and its massive hillside fortress, built to defend against English raiders. Other sights include the oldest Christian church in the tropics and the slave whipping post in the main square. Stroll the Praia streets and enjoy the variety of indigenous folk music spilling out of the tavern windows.

*Disembarking passengers have access to a few hotel rooms where you can collect your luggage and freshen up before traveling to the airport – or back to your hotel if you’re staying longer in Praia.