Cruise · 34 nights · with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Mediterranean, Canaries & the Solar Eclipse
A month aboard Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral sailing from Málaga through the Mediterranean, the Canary Islands and Portugal, including a rare total solar eclipse at sea.
- Duration
- 34 nights
- Departs
- 3 Jan 2028
- Sails from
- Málaga
- Returns to the same port
- Ship
- Balmoral
- From
- £2,899
- per person, sharing
Highlights
What makes this one worth it
Total solar eclipse viewed from the ship at sea
Days in the MediterraneanIncluding Siracusa and Alexandria
Calls to six Atlantic islands in the Canaries and Madeira
Two days in Lisbon, Portugal prior to UK arrival
About the trip
This extended cruise on Fred. Olsen’s Balmoral begins in Málaga, skirting the Spanish coast to Cartagena before crossing to the eastern Mediterranean. Siracusa’s baroque streets and the ancient ruins around Alexandria offer history on a grand scale. Further stops include Cyprus, Rhodes, then Istanbul, where the city’s skyline is broken by domes and minarets.
The journey continues westwards to Athens via Piraeus and Malta's Grand Harbour, both steeped in Mediterranean culture and history. Sailing on from the Mediterranean, Balmoral heads towards the Canary Islands, calling at Santa Cruz de Tenerife and the quieter islands like La Gomera and El Hierro, where vegetation and volcanic landscapes contrast sharply with the city ports.
The cruise’s unusual highlight is a rare total solar eclipse viewed from the ship at sea, a moment that good weather will make into a proper maritime curiosity. After a call in Funchal, Madeira, and Lisbon, the ship makes a long repositioning north to Portsmouth, offering plenty of time to read, reflect, or watch the Atlantic roll by.
- 1 Málaga
- 2 Siracusa
- 3 Alexandria
- 4 Limassol
- 5 Rhodes
- 6 Istanbul
- 7 Piraeus
- 8 Valletta
- 9 Santa Cruz de Tenerife
- 10 Las Palmas
- 11 Funchal
- 12 Lisbon
- 13 Portsmouth
Itinerary
The route, day by day
Day 1
Málaga, Spain
Day 2
Cartagena, Spain
Day 3
Siracusa, Italy
Day 4
Alexandria, Egypt
Day 5
Limassol, Cyprus
Day 6
Rhodes, Greece
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 & the Solar Eclipse?
- Mediterranean, Canaries & the Solar Eclipse is a 34 nights cruise holiday.
- Where does Mediterranean, Canaries & the Solar Eclipse depart from?
- Mediterranean, Canaries & the Solar Eclipse departs from Málaga.
- Who operates Mediterranean, Canaries & the Solar Eclipse?
- Mediterranean, Canaries & the Solar Eclipse is operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines aboard Balmoral.
- How much does Mediterranean, Canaries & the Solar Eclipse cost?
- Prices for Mediterranean, Canaries & the Solar Eclipse start from £2,899, 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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