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Destination focus: Atlantic Islands

Gran Canaria, cruise, cruising, Atlantic Islands

With their stunning cocktail of flavours, savours, climates, culture and scenery, the Atlantic islands have plenty to offer cruise passengers, as Heidi Fuller-Love explains.

Whether it’s the wild shores of the Azores, Madeira’s subtropical scenery or the sandy beaches and volcanic attractions of the Canary Islands, an Atlantic islands cruise offers dazzling diversity.

With strong links to the old and new, these islands are packed with cultural attractions, ranging from Lanzarote’s Underwater Museum to Napoleon’s house in St Helena, while food is high on the menu with attractions including Fuerteventura’s pungent Cheese Museum and Madeira’s sweet-scented Wine Museum.

Seabourn’s senior vice-president of global marketing and sales, Chris Austin, says: “Sailing across the Atlantic is a big part of the attraction – it carries you back to the earlier days of cruise travel, which have a very romantic appeal since they feature a fair number of days at sea, breathing in the salt air as the waves lap at the side of the ship.”

Meanwhile, Celebrity Cruises’ head of sales UK and Ireland, Nicola McNeish, adds: “Celebrity Silhouette boasts a grass lawn, which means that though guests may be in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, they are always only a few metres away from feeling the earth beneath their feet and can enjoy an array of lawn games and activities.”

Madeira, cruise, cruising, Atlantic Islands,
Madeira offers plenty of opportunities to get up close to nature.

Remote wonders

Aside from the Azores and the popular Canary Islands, other Atlantic atolls, such as the Cape Verde Islands and Madeira, are on the itineraries of most of the world’s top cruise companies, including Seabourn, P&O Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line.

The atolls of Ascension and St Helena, famed as the place where French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte died in exile, are also visited by Fred Olsen, Seabourn, Crystal Cruises, Marella Cruises, MSC Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.

From the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote to the Brazilian ambience of Cape Verde, each island has its own character and its own climate, which is why the majority of Atlantic island cruises are in autumn and spring, although the warmer Canary Islands, which are close to Morocco, are ideal for year-round cruising.

Most ships will visit the popular spots of Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura, but some cruise lines, including Marella and Seabourn, also stop off at La Gomera, the spectacularly pretty atoll that was 15th-century explorer Christopher Columbus’ last port of call before he discovered America.

One of the big advantages of Canary Island itineraries are departures from the UK. These are offered by cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Saga, Marella, Fred Olsen and others.

“With no luggage limits and no need to fly, it’s easy to see why cruises from Southampton are an increasingly popular option for guests of all generations,” says Princess Cruises’ vice-president for the UK and Europe, Tony Roberts. “Our Canaries itineraries offer late-night departures, giving guests more time ashore to explore the destinations, as well as enjoy a year-round pleasant climate.”

Madeira – known as the Pearl of the Atlantic – is famed for year-round balmy weather, stunning scenery and fortified wine. It is on the itinerary list of many transatlantic sailings, as are the Azores, whose volcanic landscapes are dotted with pineapple and coffee plantations. Islands such as St Helena and its sister atoll, the volcanic isle of Ascension, are famed as being among the world’s most remote destinations, and will appeal to more adventurous passengers.

Austin adds: “Clients who enjoy quiet relaxation would be a great target for this kind of trip, where the port calls are fewer but the opportunities for socialising on board are many.” 

Example itineraries

Canary gems

Seabourn’s 14-day Moroccan Gems and Canary Islands cruise departs Lisbon on 17 April 2019, calling at Madeira, Tenerife, El Hierro, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Casablanca, Tangier, Malaga and Barcelona. From £5,092pp.

Flowers and volcanoes

Celebrity Cruises’ 10-night round-trip Canary Island cruise departs Southampton on 3 October 2019, calling at Madeira, Tenerife, Lanzarote and Vigo. From £2,500pp for an ocean view stateroom.

Islands in the sun

Princess Cruises’ 11-night round trip Canary Island cruise departs Southampton on 8 October 2019, calling at Vigo, Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Lanzarote. Prices from £949pp for an inside stateroom.

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