Desire Lisbon to Morocco Cruise 2027: Itinerary, Ship, and What to Expect

The headline details

Desire's Lisbon to Morocco cruise sails in September 2027 aboard the Allura. This is a 7-night voyage that covers a route most lifestyle travellers have never considered: the Iberian coast, the Strait of Gibraltar, and the shores of North Africa. It is one of the most distinctive itineraries Desire has ever put together.

The itinerary

Lisbon, Portimao, Tangier, Casablanca, Gibraltar, and Malaga. This is not your standard Mediterranean loop. Lisbon is one of Europe's most captivating capitals, all terracotta rooftops, tram lines, and pasteis de nata. Portimao brings the golden cliffs and beaches of the Algarve. Then you cross to North Africa. Tangier is a sensory whirlwind of souks, mint tea, and the meeting point of the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Casablanca offers art deco architecture and the enormous Hassan II Mosque. Gibraltar is a curious British outpost with dramatic rock formations. Malaga rounds things off with Andalusian warmth, tapas, and Picasso's birthplace.

Why this itinerary stands out

Most Desire cruises stick to well-trodden routes: Caribbean islands, Mediterranean highlights, Southeast Asian ports. This sailing goes somewhere different. Morocco from the sea is a completely different proposition to Morocco by air. You step off a lifestyle cruise ship into the medina of Tangier and the contrast is extraordinary. The cultural richness of these ports is unlike anything on the standard cruise circuit.

The ship

The Allura makes its third Desire appearance here, and by this point the ship will be well established as the flagship of Desire's cruise programme. The same 6 restaurants, spa, pool deck, and boutique atmosphere apply. Approximately 700 guests, which means you get the space and exclusivity that define the Desire experience at sea.

September timing

September is arguably the best month to visit southern Portugal, Morocco, and southern Spain. The extreme summer heat has eased, the tourist crowds have thinned, and the sea temperature is at its warmest after months of summer sun. Lisbon in September is warm and golden. The Algarve is at its best. Even Morocco, which can be punishing in July and August, becomes genuinely pleasant.

Cultural considerations

Morocco is a conservative country and visitors should dress respectfully when ashore. This is not a conflict with the lifestyle ethos of the cruise. As with the Thailand sailing, all Desire programming happens onboard. When you are in Tangier or Casablanca, you are a tourist exploring a fascinating culture. When you are back on the ship, you are in the Desire world. The two coexist beautifully.

Who it suits

This cruise is for experienced Desire guests who want novelty. If you have sailed the Caribbean and the Med, this itinerary offers genuinely new territory. It also appeals to couples who value cultural exploration alongside their lifestyle experience. The ports on this route reward curiosity. Tangier alone could fill two days of wandering, eating, and getting happily lost in the old city.

Worth combining

Lisbon is an exceptional city for a pre-cruise stay. Arrive three or four days early. Eat your way through the Alfama district. Take the tram to Belem. Drink ginjinha in a doorway bar. Then board the Allura and sail towards Africa. It is the kind of itinerary that feels like two holidays in one, because it genuinely is.