
Cruise · 29 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
A 29-night voyage on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral from Athens across the Mediterranean to the Canaries, including Christmas on board and New Year fireworks in Las Palmas.
Highlights
Christmas Day on board while sailing to Mediterranean ports
New Year’s Eve fireworks display from Balmoral in Las Palmas
Three Canary Islands: La Palma, Tenerife and Gran Canaria
Stops along Spain’s southern and eastern coasts
Time in Valletta with its baroque streets and fortifications
Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral sets off from Piraeus, the gateway to Athens, heading to Malta’s fortified capital Valletta and then into western Mediterranean ports such as Trapani, with its access to the salt pans of Sicily, and Cagliari on Sardinia, where the blend of old town and sea is tangible. The Spanish coast follows, with stops in Mahon, Málaga and near the North African enclave of Ceuta, before visiting several Andalusian ports such as Motril, Cartagena, Valencia, Cádiz and Gibraltar.
After the Spanish mainland, the ship crosses to Portugal’s Madeira island, a place where laurel forests and steep terraces stand out from the deck. The last stretch takes in the Canary Islands, landing in Santa Cruz de La Palma, Tenerife and finishing with the chance to see New Year’s Eve fireworks from the ship in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria’s largest city. The pace allows for a mix of coastal cities, islands and a few days at sea to settle into the rhythm of this festive cruise.
The round trip from Piraeus allows a contemplative passage from historic Mediterranean shores to the winter light and island shapes of the Atlantic, all aboard Balmoral, a ship with space and views suited to this slow crossing through diverse waters, without rushing the calendar or the passengers.
Itinerary
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
When to go
Lowest price each month, per person.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms exact dates, availability and prices when you book.
Need to know
For full details of what’s included, check with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. See the full details on their site
The operator
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.
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