Cruise · 46 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Mediterranean, Canaries Christmas & the Solar Eclipse
Forty-six nights aboard Fred. Olsen's Balmoral from Málaga via the Canary Islands, Egypt, Greece and Malta, with the chance to watch a rare total solar eclipse from the ship's deck during this festive season cruise.
- Duration
- 46 nights
- Departs
- 22 Dec 2027
- Sails from
- Málaga
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £4,199
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Total solar eclipse from the ship’s deck
Two days in Mediterranean's Valletta, Malta
Visit to Alexandria near the Nile delta
Several Canary Islands ports including Tenerife
Exploration of Greece via Piraeus and Rhodes
About the trip
Fred. Olsen's Balmoral begins its lengthy winter cruise in Málaga, heading south through the Atlantic islands before entering the Mediterranean. Gibraltar stands at the meeting point of two continents and is famous for its rock and Barbary macaques, while Funchal offers Madeira’s mild climate and terraced gardens.
The cruise includes several Canary Islands ports, with Santa Cruz de La Palma and Tenerife representing the volcanic landscapes the archipelago is known for. After returning to the Spanish coast at Cartagena, the ship turns east towards the Mediterranean. Siracusa in Sicily recalls its Greek roots, while Alexandria's long Nile delta coastline brings a touch of Egypt’s ancient legacy.
Further calls in Cyprus, Rhodes and Istanbul lead to Greece’s Piraeus for Athens, where the Parthenon rises above the city. Valletta's 16th-century fortifications and the chance to cruise Malta’s Grand Harbour add a final chapter. The 46 nights allow a relaxed pace for a varied stretch of coastline and islands, with the rare attraction of a total solar eclipse viewed from the ship’s deck.
- 1 Málaga
- 2 Gibraltar
- 3 Funchal
- 4 Santa Cruz de La Palma
- 5 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- 6 Las Palmas
- 7 Cartagena
- 8 Siracusa
- 9 Alexandria
- 10 Limassol
- 11 Rhodes
- 12 Istanbul
- 13 Piraeus
- 14 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 Mediterranean, Canaries Christmas & the Solar Eclipse?
- Mediterranean, Canaries Christmas & the Solar Eclipse is a 46 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Mediterranean, Canaries Christmas & the Solar Eclipse depart from?
- Mediterranean, Canaries Christmas & the Solar Eclipse departs from Málaga.
- Who operates Mediterranean, Canaries Christmas & the Solar Eclipse?
- Mediterranean, Canaries Christmas & the Solar Eclipse is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Mediterranean, Canaries Christmas & the Solar Eclipse cost?
- Prices for Mediterranean, Canaries Christmas & the Solar Eclipse start from £4,199, 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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