1. Multiple destinations in one trip
While the Spanish archipelago is often grouped together in people’s imaginations, each island has a character all its own, with an incredible diversity of landscapes, wildlife and culture between them.
A Marella cruise lets you hop from one island to the next, often taking in four to six in a single voyage.
In practice, that means you might spend one day in Lanzarote, marvelling at the starkly beautiful landscapes of Timanfaya National Park, where fiery lava fields meet bright blue skies, the next in Puerto Mogán on Gran Canaria, known as ‘Little Venice’, thanks to its charming canals and yacht-lined fishing harbour.
2. An all-inclusive approach
If you’re craving a Canarian holiday, a Marella cruise could be your most value-friendly option. The TUI-owned line operates on an all-inclusive basis, so once you’ve paid your fare, you can expect all of the following as standard:
- Full board, with access to at least six different restaurants, including a buffet venue.
- A drinks package, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, such as bottled and draught beers, wines, cocktails, mocktails, soft drinks and fruit juices.
- Return flights from a regional UK airport, including a hold luggage allowance and overseas transfers.
- Day-to-night entertainment, spanning West End-style performances, laid-back live music, pub quizzes and interactive game shows.
When you consider the cost and inconvenience of booking accommodation, flights, food, drinks, activities and entertainment separately, Marella offers a stress-free alternative, often for notably less than you’d spend otherwise.
3. Something for everyone
The varied nature of the Canary Islands means they have plenty to suit different types of travellers. Families will find no shortage of ways to keep entertained, including golden and black sand beaches, dolphin and whale spotting excursions, amusement and waterparks, networks of caves to explore and more.
Couples and solo travellers, meanwhile, might opt for tastings at rum distilleries and volcanic vineyards, swims in natural sea pools or tours of the art and architecture of César Manrique.
Marella Cruises matches that energy, catering to specific travel styles rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach. It frequently offers adults-only sailings to the Canary Islands, as well as family-friendly options, with kids’ clubs tailored to different age groups and kids’ menus.
Solo travellers are also well looked after. Single cabins are available, though keep in mind they tend to book up quickly, along with solo events and the choice to dine alone or with fellow guests.
4. Tried-and-tested excursions
Marella’s team of experts also curates shore excursions to suit specific tastes, drawing on if-you-know-you-know local insights to offer everything from adrenaline-pumping adventures to culturally immersive tours.
In Fuerteventura, you might go on a 4x4 off-roading tour. Along the way, you’ll visit the volcanic Mount Tindaya, which locals say attracts witches and strange phenomena, as well as El Cotillo, a rustic fishing village nestled among picturesque lagoons, where you may even be able to take a quick dip.
In contrast, in La Palma, you might spend your time seeing the sights of Santa Cruz by trolley train, trundling through cobbled, sun-dappled squares and past flower-wrapped wooden houses. En route, a local guide will point out churches with Canarian colonial architecture and statues that pay homage to maritime heritage. It will slow in all the right places, too, so you have ample time to fill your camera roll.
5. Year-round sunshine
Nicknamed the “Islands of Eternal Spring”, the Canary Islands offer around two and a half times as many hours of sunshine as the UK, making them one of the most popular winter escapes for Brits.
Marella Cruises has Canary Islands sailings from November through April to make the most of the mild weather. Here’s a quick cheat sheet of what you can expect:
November: Low to mid 20s C, with relatively low rainfall
December: High teens or low 20s C, with occasional, short-lived showers
January: High teens to low 20s C, with low rainfall compared to the UK
February: Low 20s C; this can be one of the wetter months, though conditions vary between islands
March: Low to mid-20s C, with low to moderate rainfall
April: Low to mid-20s C, with generally low rainfall
6. A festive escape
If you want to spend the festive season somewhere a little different, Marella Cruises offers the chance to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s in the Canaries.
Onboard, you can expect abundant yuletide spirit without the hassle of hosting. Think decked-out trees, mince pies galore, screenings of festive favourites and gingerbread displays. Christmas Day itself is often marked with a themed gala dinner.
In port, meanwhile, you can enjoy a Spanish twist on Crimbo, from nativity scenes made out of sand to villancicos de Navidad (traditional carols). The islands are also a great place to shop for unique, last-minute gifts, such as volcanic jewellery, artisan crafts and aloe vera products.
New Year’s is equally memorable aboard Marella ships. Blue-themed parties set the scene, while carefully planned itineraries mean you’re perfectly placed to ring in midnight with views of harbourside fireworks displays.
7. Stargazing at sea
The Canary Islands are a prime stargazing destination. Their geographical position means you can see constellations in both the northern and southern hemispheres, while the subtropical climate delivers far more clear nights than in most places in Europe.
Throw in the relative atmospheric stability, and the sheer number of stars visible to the naked eye can stop you in your tracks.
A Marella cruise takes stargazing in the Canaries to the next level – out at sea, far from the light pollution of cities, the night sky fills with celestial bodies in all their glory.
That’s particularly true if you select an itinerary that coincides with a key moment in the astronomical calendar, such as the Geminid meteor shower, which takes place every December. Marella has several to choose from.
8. Perfect pairings
The Canaries are the star of the show, but many Marella itineraries sweeten the deal by pairing the Spanish islands with other Atlantic gems.
Funchal, Madeira, is a frequent addition and often an unexpected highlight. The Portuguese island, sometimes called the Hawaii of Europe thanks to its mountains-meet-sea landscapes, has something to surprise at every turn, whether that’s hiking through ancient laurel forests or careening downhill in a traditional wicker toboggan (no snow required).
Select itineraries also take in the Iberian Peninsula or North Africa, including the cosmopolitan Portuguese capital of Lisbon or the bohemian Moroccan city of Tangier.
9. Cruise & stay packages
One of the advantages of cruising with a line that’s part of the TUI group is how seamlessly you can add a few days in a hotel to the beginning or end of your sailing.
The choice of accommodation is broad, from adults-only luxury stays to laidback family-run boutiques, with everything organised for you. You’ll be whisked from airport to ship to hotel without a logistical thought in your head.
Instead, you can dedicate all your energy to deciding how you want to spend your extra time on shore, whether it’s lounging on the beach and dining on tapas or snorkelling with parrotfish and hiking among Spain’s highest peaks.
10. Canary Islands cruise offers
Marella Cruises regularly runs special offers on Canary Islands sailings, meaning more of your budget can go towards extra perks, from shore excursions to spa treatments.
You can browse all current Marella cruise deals for the Canary Islands here, or if you’d like to stay in the loop, sign up to the Marella Cruises newsletter for all the latest offers.
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