Thoughts on a Canary Islands Cruise?

[The Anchor Banker]

We are looking at several options this fall, one of which is a Canary Islands cruise on the Infinity.  We like the Infinity, have never been to Barcelona and thought it might be a nice vacation but we are not finding a lot of positive comments online and don't personally know anyone who has done a Canary Islands cruise.  Can anyone who has been recently give some feedback as to whether this is a bucket list worthy vacation?

[Mrearl]

We did the Canary Islands on the Celebrity Eclipse 10 years ago.  14 days out of Southampton. We had a great time, one of the better cruises.  Islands we visited Azores (Punta Delgada), Madeira (Funchal) ,Tenerife, Granda Canaria, Fuereventura ,Lanzarote and Lisbon.

All the Islands had something very interesting to see and do.

 

[JBare]

For years I could not see why so many Brits loved going to the Canary Islands then did a cruise there and could see why. We don't sunbathe at all and don't like beach holidays but there is so much else to see and do on the Islands especially the geology of the places. Cruises from Southampton usually go to Madeira and Lisbon but I believe the Barcelona cruises are shorter and go to Casablanca and maybe Cadiz, definitely worth considering.

[chemmo]

Coming from the UK the Canary Islands are a great year round holiday destination for us. Often for a one week taste of sunshine Autumn or Spring…Cruises also go from the UK year round to the Canary Islands (not Celebrity).

 

The food obviously has a strong Spanish influence…Avoid the main tourist areas and you will find traditional bars and tapas venues. 
 

Each island has its own sights to see. Mount Teide on Tenerife offers some great scenic drives and walks. In Lanzarote there are lava tunnels you can walk in and a National Park where they show the volcanic heat still being generated by dropping water down a hole and generating a very mini Old Faithful! Gran Canaria has dunes made from sand that has blown over from the Sahara…

 

We cruised the Canary Islands in early October and had great weather, we have visited the islands individually late October and the weather during the day was usually nicely warm with a lovely breeze but cool enough to need a light jacket in the evening. You can get the odd shower, more frequently in the evening in our experience. 

 

Some of the itineraries for the Canary Islands also include Madeira and/or the Azores…Again each has its own distinct personality…

 

The Mediterranean weather, whilst still fairly mild, can be both wet and windy by the end of October. The Canary Islands being that bit further South tend to keep warmer. They are all also year round resorts, unlike many Mediterranean ports that shut down by November.

 

Barcelona is one of my favourite ports…full of culture, history and (if you get off the tourist route) great food!

 

Hope this is helpful!

 

 

 

 

Edited September 27, 2023 by chemmo

[Baggy178]

31 minutes ago, JBare said:

For years I could not see why so many Brits loved going to the Canary Islands then did a cruise there and could see why. We don't sunbathe at all and don't like beach holidays but there is so much else to see and do on the Islands especially the geology of the places. Cruises from Southampton usually go to Madeira and Lisbon but I believe the Barcelona cruises are shorter and go to Casablanca and maybe Cadiz, definitely worth considering.

 

Brits love the Canaries for the same reason snowbirds hot Florida in the winter - it's warm!

Lots retire there permanently too.

The islands have mostly avoided the construction monstrosities of the mainland and as you say there's always something to see and do.

[Ex-Airbalancer]

Celebrity should do a 14-21 day cruise on a M-class ship from Florida in the winter  go around the Canaries island stopping in Merdeira  and Cape Varda 

[Literary Lynne]

Hi Anchor Banker, We are sailing on Infinity on November 28th this year from Barcelona, two sea days, then Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, sea day, Casablanca in Morocco, Cadiz, sea day, Valencia and back to Barcelona. So 11 nights. We thought it was a great mix of different, interesting ports and sea days. Expecting it to be rainy in mainland Spain but hoping for some sunshine in the Canaries and Morocco before winter. Barcelona has so much to offer. We have stayed there many times and are always happy to revisit. Cadiz and Valencia are wonderful.

[ElmaLee]

Canary Island cruises are very popular in Europe, the islands get plenty sunshine in winter.  Millions visit each year by plane and some resorts are massive, like Playa de las Americas and Playa del Ingles.  

 

 Each island has its own features: Tenerife has Mount Teide, the highest mountain in Spain; Gran Canaria has its sand dunes; Lanzarote has amazing lava fields.  La Palma had a volcanic eruption a few years ago.

Cruises generally call into Portuguese Madeira, which is delightful.

 

We have cruised these islands twice, flying there both times.  Both times were very relaxing and enjoyable but this is not a bucket-list cruise destination.

[The Anchor Banker]

Thank you for the feedback.  Based on the comments I guess it is the European version of a Caribbean cruise with Barcelona being a bonus?

[swjumbo]

We’re Celebrity fans but we’re on our first Princess cruise (12 nights from Southampton) in April next year.

2 sea days, island hopping then 3 sea days back.

Never been there either so it’s a double first. 
Heard lots of good things about the islands.

[JBare]

1 hour ago, The Anchor Banker said:

 with Barcelona being a bonus?

and maybe Valencia, Cadiz and Casablanca, 100's of years of history

[scotlanders]

We sailed on P&O last year for 7 nights from Tenerife. It was very pleasant  weather not hot (highs of 22/23) . We were outdoors all day and it was such a pleasant break from our bleak dark wet winters here in the UK. We found so much to do and see compared to the Caribbean which I find is like one large island visited “over and over” The beaches and weather are really the only reason to go, but Madeira is amazing in culture and history . The Canary Islands all have their own character and spending a day in each island is not enough. I’m thrilled Celebrity have put Infinity in the Canaries in 2024 and are already showing Infinity there again in 2025 !! It gives Europeans an option to be loyal to Celebrity while not wanting long haul flights …. so thanks Celebrity Looking forward to our cruise 

[Jim_Iain]

I've been to both Barcelona (a great city and so...so much to do and see) and Canaries many, many times.  

 

The canaries can be a fun destination to either explore on your own or touring with either ships or private tours.  

 

Would recommend it highly ...

[bluwes]

6 hours ago, The Anchor Banker said:

Thank you for the feedback.  Based on the comments I guess it is the European version of a Caribbean cruise with Barcelona being a bonus?

We’re on board the Silhouette this Saturday from Southampton to the Canaries with additional stops in Porto and Lisbon in Portugal and Vigo in Spain.,we’ve been to the Canary Islands numerous times on beach holidays. So your description is spot on.