Cruisefinder

Mauritius - Colombo (Sri Lanka)

Festive celebrations amidst idyllic surroundings

  • 18.12.27 to 04.01.28|17 days

  • MS EUROPA

  • EUR2800

Mauritius - Colombo (Sri Lanka)

18.12.2027 to 04.01.2028|17 days

from € 11.890

17 days Cruise p.p.

What to expect

The highlights of this cruise

Turquoise waters, fine sand and lush rainforests – the islands in the Indian Ocean more than live up to their reputation as picture-postcard idylls. Immerse yourself in unique natural surroundings over Christmas and New Year and discover wonders both big and small.

  • Festive celebrations in a class of their own: Christmas in the Seychelles and New Year’s Eve in the Maldives
  • Enjoy the informal atmosphere of the EUROPA with culinary delights
  • Admire Reunion’s volcanic Piton des Neiges from a bird’s-eye perspective by helicopter*
  • Relaxing catamaran trips* in the idyllic setting of the Indian Ocean
  • Hambantota combines Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage with breathtaking safari experiences

Travel information

  • Sat, 18.12.2027

    Port Louis/Mauritius, departure 20.00 hrs

  • The island of Reunion is shaped by an impressive chain of volcanoes, the highest of which, Piton des Neiges and Piton de la Fournaise, stretch high up into the blue sky. The diverse landscape is a paradise for hikers and nature lovers. Thanks to its fascinating biodiversity on land and underwater and the natural beauty of its scenery, the island has been awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status. A visit to Reunion will be rounded off with a tasting of Creole cuisine, with its impressive variety and intense flavours.

    Experience more

    Selected shore excursions*

    • Scenic tour – Piton de la Fournaise volcano
    • Scenic tour – Salazie and the Bridal Veil waterfall
    • Helicopter flight over the Piton des Neiges volcano (subject to weather conditions)
    • Hike on Piton Maido mountain
  • Mon, 20.12.2027 - Tue, 21.12.2027

    Relaxation at sea

  • Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, exudes relaxed charm – lively and colourful during the day, atmospheric and filled with tropical lightness in the evening. A stroll through the town offers insights into the island of Mahe and its diverse culture. You’ll pass the bustling market with its exotic spices and fresh fish and admire the striking clock tower – a relic from the British colonial era – as well as the colourful Hindu temple. The Morne Seychellois nature reserve lies south-west of Victoria. Its 905 m (2,969 ft) high peak of the same name is the highest point in the Seychelles. The national park features dense rainforests and provides spectacular views over Mahe and the surrounding islands. The beaches in the vicinity, including the popular Beau Vallon, are ideal for relaxing and offer perfect conditions for swimming, snorkelling or enjoying the sunset.

    Experience more

    Selected shore excursions*

    • Victoria and the north of Mahe
    • The south of Mahe and Jardin du Roi Spice Garden
    • Hike to the top of Morne Blanc
    • Catamaran trip with a glass-bottom boat in Sainte Anne Marine National Park
    • Explore Silhouette Island on foot

    Tip from our travel concierge*:

    Fly by helicopter to Aride and discover one of the most important seabird populations in the Indian Ocean on a guided tour with a ranger, with more breeding species than on any other island of the Seychelles – including free time on the beach.

  • La Digue, the fourth largest island in the Seychelles, is legendary for its relaxed atmosphere and imposing granite cliffs: the colossal rounded rocks are particularly impressive at the idyllic Anse Source d’Argent, which is perfect for bathing thanks to its shallow turquoise waters. There are hardly any cars on La Digue and most people use bicycles to get around. It’s a great way to explore the island and its hidden wild beaches in the north. In the south of the island is the L’Union Estate, a former plantation estate, which provides insights into the traditional trades of the island and is home to two extremely rare species of terrapin.

  • Curieuse, the fifth-largest island in the Inner Seychelles, is located very close to its sister island Praslin and is a true natural paradise. The island, which is only about 3 km² (1.1 mi.²) in size, delights visitors with a diverse mangrove landscape where eight different species grow. Curieuse has been a protected nature reserve and part of the Curieuse Marine National Park for decades. A research station and a rescue and breeding station are dedicated to the conservation of Aldabra giant tortoises. visitors have the rare opportunity to get up close to these impressive animals in the wild. In the south-west of the island, the historic Doctor’s House – once a leper colony, now a museum – tells the eventful history of the island. Look forward to an exclusive destination whose backdrop promises a variety of experiences until late in the evening.

  • White sandy beaches lined with palm forests, including Anse Georgette and Anse Lazio, are idyllic picture-perfect spots on Praslin, the second-largest island in the Inner Seychelles. Anse Lazio in particular, surrounded by impressive granite cliffs, is one of the most beautiful beaches in the region. The island’s interior is home to Praslin’s national park, the UNESCO World Heritage Site Vallee de Mai. This is where the ancient Seychelles coco de mer palm trees, some of which are over 1,000 years old, grow. Together with around 43 other species of plant and rare animals like the black parrot, they form a unique natural paradise.

    Experience more

    Selected shore excursions*

    • Walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Vallee de Mai and beach trip
    • Catamaran and snorkelling trip
    • Hike through the Fond Ferdinand Nature Reserve
    • Helicopter flight over Praslin and La Digue (subject to weather conditions)

    Tip from our travel concierge*:

    Experience a catamaran tour with island-hopping to Curieuse and St. Pierre – including snorkelling adventures, time to explore and a relaxed barbecue.

  • Mon, 27.12.2027 - Wed, 29.12.2027

    Relaxation at sea

  • Water sports enthusiasts will find a special Garden of Eden on Lohifushi in the North Male Atoll. While sun worshippers spend the day dreaming on the fine sand and snorkellers observe the underwater world up close in the shallow water, one of the most famous surf waves in the Maldives breaks off the coast. With its snow-white sandy beach and crystal-clear water, the island promises a fantastic day of swimming and a spectacular play of colours.

  • Kuda Finolhu welcomes you to the heart of the UNESCO Baa Atoll Biosphere Reserve – an archipelago that unfolds like a tropical work of art in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Here, luxury blends with the magic of virtually untouched nature. Underwater, an extraordinary diversity of species reveals itself – from manta rays to colourful coral reefs. The kilometre-long white sandy beach invites visitors to stroll, relax and enjoy unlimited swimming.

  • Sat, 01.01.2028

    Relaxation at sea

  • The south coast of Sri Lanka is your gateway to the island’s wild side: Hambantota, the centre of the district of the same name, is the perfect base for exploring the impressive wilderness and natural beauties of Sri Lanka. Nearby is Yala National Park, famous for having the highest concentration of leopards in the world and for its fascinating animal kingdom. You can follow in their tracks on a photo safari. Udawalawe National Park around the shores of Udawalawe Reservoir has a large elephant population – in the attached elephant orphanage visitors can learn interesting facts about these gentle giants. Bundala National Park offers plenty of variety: Around 200 species of bird spend the winter here. In the evening, the city also shows itself from its most beautiful side and invites you to enjoy whiling away some time.

    Experience more

    Selected shore excursions*

    • Safari in Udawalawe National Park
    • Safari in Yala National Park
    • Safari in Bundala National Park
    • The pilgrimage town of Kataragama
  • Mon, 03.01.2028

    Colombo/Sri Lanka, arrival 21.00 hrs

    Overnight stay on board

  • Tue, 04.01.2028

    Colombo/Sri Lanka

* The shore activities are not included in the cruise price and are in the planning stage. Subject to change.

** Depending on the flight schedule, a change in the travel package from the cruise departure point may be necessary.

Arrival and departure | optionally bookable

    • Fri, 17.12.2027

      Scheduled flight from Germany to Mauritius**

    • Sat, 18.12.2027

      Mauritius

      Transfer to Port Louis to embarkation point

    • Tue, 04.01.2028

      Colombo (Sri Lanka)

      Transfer to a first-class hotel

      Day room

      Transfer to scheduled flight to Germany

    • Wed, 05.01.2028

      Arrival in Germany

Price special

Attractive combination discount

Extend your stay with the previous cruise EUR2725 and save € 1,300 per person (applies to PLATINUM fare).

 

Included services

Experiences ashore

  • Shuttle transfer to selected ports
  • Available to borrow: bicycles (subject to official approval at each destination), snorkelling equipment, warm parkas, umbrellas and parasols (please note that this is a limited contingent and the rental items cannot be reserved in advance)
  • Port information including maps and tips for going ashore
  • Zodiac rides to hidden beaches and bays (subject to routes and weather conditions)

In your suite

  • Champagne and delicacies as a welcome gift
  • Mini bar (soft drinks and beer) and fresh fruit, refilled daily
  • 24-hour suite service; butler service in the Penthouse Suites
  • Flat-screen TV in your suite with entertainment and information system (guest portal) as well as your personal EUROPA email account (only accessible via a mobile device), a selection of up to 100 contemporary and classic films, various genres of music and audio dramas
  • Digital newspaper service: a condensed on-board edition of 'Die Welt' every morning
  • Exclusive service privileges in the SPA Suites and Penthouse Suites

Culture and entertainment

  • Carefully selected, exciting guest artists and renowned stars in an intimate and exclusive atmosphere.
  • Top-class classical music, rousing shows, fascinating concerts, cabaret artists, readings and plays
  • Activity programmes and lecture series, talks, lectures and workshops with renowned lecturers and experts
  • Onboard chaplain on selected voyages
  • Free internet on board - one hour per guest per day, further information and conditions can be found
    here

Restaurants

  • Five restaurants at no extra cost: the Europa Restaurant, yet there are also three speciality restaurants and a buffet restaurant to choose from
  • Main meal times, snack times, late breakfast, speciality teas and coffees as well as cakes and midnight snacks

For all cases

  • German ship and cruise management as well as a majority German-speaking service crew
  • Harbour and airport fees
  • Cancellation fee insurance (20% excess) in the PLATINUM and GOLD fares

Spa and fitness

  • 15 m (49 ft) long seawater pool, whirlpool, fitness area with ocean views and golf simulator
  • Wide range of fitness classes - including innovative LES MILLS classes - indoors or outdoors
  • SPA area with steam bath, infrared chairs, relaxation room and Tea Lounge