Cruise · 33 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Canaries Christmas & Mediterranean Cities
A 33-night cruise aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral tracing a Mediterranean and Canary Islands arc from Málaga, through historic ports from Gibraltar to Istanbul, with a New Year’s Eve in Gran Canaria beneath fireworks.
- Duration
- 33 nights
- Departs
- 22 Dec 2027
- Sails from
- Málaga
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £3,099
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
New Year’s Eve beneath fireworks in Gran Canaria
Funchal’s hillside gardens and botanical variety
Istanbul’s palaces and bazaars
Ancient ruins in Siracusa, Sicily
Cruising Malta’s Grand Harbour
About the trip
This lengthy cruise from Málaga calls at a series of Mediterranean and Atlantic ports that mix familiar festive landmarks with less frequently visited stops. Gibraltar’s windswept silhouette looms near Spain’s shores before Balmoral crosses to Madeira’s capital, Funchal, known for its hillside gardens and botanical variety. The Canary Islands follow, with three calls on La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria, the last of which rings in the New Year with fireworks.
The itinerary then swings eastward to Cartagena and Siracusa, where Greek temples linger under Sicily’s Sicilian sun. Alexandria adds a flavour of Egypt’s ancient past, before the ship charts a course into the eastern Mediterranean, stopping at Limassol and Rhodes, and then Istanbul, whose palaces and bazaars offer a busy contrast to the quieter ports. The cruise rounds out with two Greek ports, including Piraeus, gateway to Athens, and Valletta, Malta, concluding after a crossing of the island’s Grand Harbour.
Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral, smaller than many contemporary cruise ships, can slip into harbours and slow to catch details others might miss. This holiday combines sunshine, classical archaeology, and festive city sights in a single extended route from the Atlantic to the eastern Mediterranean.
- 1 Málaga
- 2 Gibraltar
- 3 Funchal
- 4 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- 5 Las Palmas
- 6 Cartagena
- 7 Siracusa
- 8 Alexandria
- 9 Limassol
- 10 Rhodes
- 11 Istanbul
- 12 Piraeus
- 13 Valletta
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Málaga, Spain
Day 2
Gibraltar
Day 3
Funchal, Portugal
Day 4
Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands
Day 5
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands
Day 6
Las Palmas, Canary Islands
When to go
Departures and prices
Lowest price each month, per person.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.
Need to know
Before you book
- Price based on
- Two people sharing a cabinThe operator confirms the exact basis when you book.
- Travelling alone
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Flights
- Not needed if you join at Málaga
- What’s included
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Accessibility
- Check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
- Cabin
- Interior Room
For full details of what’s included, check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. See the full details on their site
Questions people ask
- How long is Canaries Christmas & Mediterranean Cities?
- Canaries Christmas & Mediterranean Cities is a 33 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Canaries Christmas & Mediterranean Cities depart from?
- Canaries Christmas & Mediterranean Cities departs from Málaga.
- Who operates Canaries Christmas & Mediterranean Cities?
- Canaries Christmas & Mediterranean Cities is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Canaries Christmas & Mediterranean Cities cost?
- Prices for Canaries Christmas & Mediterranean Cities start from £3,099, subject to availability.
The operator
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Smaller-ship cruises, many from UK ports
A Norwegian family name in shipping since the nineteenth century, known for smaller ships that can reach the narrower fjords and harbours.
You book with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines directly. They confirm your place, take payment, and look after you from the moment you leave home; Atlas & Passage’s part ends when you click through.
New to Spain? Our Spain guide has the practical essentials: money, plugs, visas and when to go.
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