Mediterranean Shore Experiences Canary Islands

How to find your perfect cruise holiday

Whether it’s paddleboarding in the fjords, sight-seeing on a city break, relaxing on a tranquil beach or dining like the locals… we set the scene for amazing things to happen. So, whatever type of holiday you’re looking for, we've put together a guide to help you find one that ticks all your boxes…

6 min 12 Dec 2023

Editorial Team

Author

If you’ve never holidayed with us before, you might be surprised by what’s in store. Because, with us, you don’t have to restrict yourselves to just one type of travel. That’s why we work with local experts to bring you a range of authentic experiences that take you off the beaten track to ensure you see the very best each destination has to offer. 

1. Find your perfect city break

Exploring a new city is always a highlight of any holiday and you might think that a shorter city break isn’t possible on a cruise, but you’d be wrong. With P&O Cruises, you can set sail on a three-to-five-night Short Break (yes, really, three nights) any time of the year or beat those winter blues on a seven-night Northern European City Escapes.   

 

Take a Short Break cruise and you might find yourself marvelling at the mighty UNESCO-listed Speicherstadt in Hamburg or journeying along characterful canals as you soak up Amsterdam’s ambience. Perhaps you’ll choose to wander medieval streets in beautiful Bruges or discover why St Peter Port is considered the prettiest town in the Channel Islands.

 

On a longer Northern European City Escape, you may want to visit fairy-tale like Lübeck, from Hamburg, and lose yourself in the old town’s winding cobblestone streets and spellbinding spires. Or perhaps in Rotterdam, you’ll take in the city’s cutting-edge architecture and see how the port city has transformed into a trendy hipster hub. And if you’re travelling during the Christmas market season, you could be sipping mulled wine against a backdrop of festive sounds and twinkling lights in these delightful cities.  

 

So, if you’re looking for a romantic getaway, a weekend escape with friends or an unforgettable sightseeing adventure, we’ve a city break for you.

 

Find your perfect city break here.

2. Find your dream beach holiday

From the laid-back cocktail vibes of the Caribbean to the captivating coastlines of the Canary Islands to the tranquil shores of the Mediterranean. Whatever you’re in the mood for, we offer every type of beach holiday under the sun. With us, you can experience a wide range of stunning beach destinations in one trip and only unpack once. And on one of our fly-cruise holidays, you can fast forward to your ship, from a range of UK airports, and maximise your time in the sunshine. As all your flights and transfers are included in your cruise price, you can get your holiday off to a flying start.

 

On one of our Caribbean cruises, you can explore a wide range of exotic beaches in just one holiday. With swaying palm trees and golden sands, in one of the sunniest spots in the Caribbean, nowhere says ‘tropical paradise’ better than Antigua’s Fort James' beach. If water sports like jet-skiing, deep-sea diving and snorkelling are your thing, then you’ll find your ultimate playground at the unspoiled white sands of Brownes Beach in Barbados on one of our incredible shore experiences.

 

If you’re sailing around the Canary Islands, you’ll discover the beaches are as beautiful and as diverse as the islands themselves. Gran Canaria is home to Maspalomas Beach where you’ll find gigantic sand dunes that could double up for the Sahara Desert. The sheltered waters at Lanzarote’s Playa Blanca are perfect for swimming while the wild and windy coast at Famara Beach in Lanzarote is the place to go to for surfing and kitesurfing. Closer to home, you’ll find a wide range of stunning beach destinations to discover in the Mediterranean. From the soft white sands at Playa de Samíl in Vigo to the 10km of golden sandy beaches at Malaga, Benalmádena or the more secluded spots along the rugged Adriatic coast at Split or Hvar, you’ll be spoilt for choice.

 

Find your perfect beach holiday here.

Brac island (shore experience from Hvar), Croatia.
Brac island (shore experience from Hvar), Croatia.
Brac island (shore experience from Hvar), Croatia.
Brac island (shore experience from Hvar), Croatia.

3. Find your ultimate foodie adventure

We know great food lies at the heart of a great holiday. That’s why we bring you innovative menus and inspiring foodie experiences across our fleet. From modern British classics to flavours inspired by your itinerary, there’s so much included in your cruise holiday price. Or for a little extra, you can explore our speciality restaurants and enjoy world-class cruise dining developed by our chefs and Food Heroes. We also know that the best way to explore a region is to try the dishes that tell stories of the history, culture and lives of the locals. That’s why we work with native experts to help you experience some of the best dishes each destination has to offer.

 

Mix things up as you enjoy a cocktail of culinary delights, such as the local conch chowder and pepperpot, as you explore the idyllic islands of the Caribbean. Sample some tasty tapas or moreish moussaka on a Mediterranean cruise. And let us show you how you can dine like the locals in the Canary Islands or introduce you to unique flavours in Scandinavia.

 

And that’s not all, because we work with the brightest lights of the culinary scene, our Food Heroes, you can expect innovative menus and inspiring foodie experiences across our fleet of ships. We also work with leading native chefs, our Local Food Heroes, Kjartan Skjelde, Shivi Ramoutar and José Pizarro, to bring authentic dining experiences to your holidays on our Excel class ships Arvia and Iona.

Grasse, the self-appointed perfume capital of the world
  • slider img
  • slider img
  • slider img
  • slider img
  • slider img
of

4. Find your awe-inspiring view

If you think a cruise holiday is all about sailing along coastlines and sunbathing on beaches, then think again. From majestic mountains to out-of-this-world landscapes, there’s so much variety of natural beauty for you to discover with P&O Cruises.

 

On a Canary Islands adventure, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet as you take in Lanzarote’s dramatic Fire Mountains or make the most of an overnight stay in Tenerife as you stargaze from the lunar-like Teide National Park. And if you visit Santorini on a Mediterranean cruise, you’ll have chance to travel to the top of the Mountain of Prophet Elijah. At 567 meters above sea level, there’s no better spot to enjoy panoramic views of the Greek island than from its highest point.

 

Whether you prefer your views from the jade-coloured fjords as you kayak in tranquil waters or the highest lookout from Pulpit Rock, you’re in for spectacular scenery every day on an epic Norwegian fjords cruise shore experience. And on a Caribbean holiday, you’ll have chance to marvel at the island’s majestic twin peaks of the Pitons on a leisurely catamaran cruise in St Lucia. Dominating the skyline at 2,600 feet, this breathtaking UNESCO World Heritage site is an unmissable natural wonder to behold.

Stunning view of the Pitons, St Lucia