Gran Canaria
Lisbon’s festive attractions
Santa Cruz old town, La Palma
Fireworks over Funchal
A Standard Balcony Cabin
Enjoy Asian cuisine at East to West
Coast to Coast
Look forward to delicious cuisine
The South Cape Bar
The Lido
Spirit of Discovery’s sumptuous Spa
The Britannia Lounge
The Playhouse
Included afternoon tea
Christmas in the Canaries
Spirit of Discovery departing Portsmouth
from
£12,759 per person
Price includes travel insurance and additional cancellation cover. A price reduction of £87pp applies if the included travel and cancellation cover is not required § Read More
17 nights
20th December 2026
Step on board for special celebrations
Look forward to an extra special Christmas in 2026 with an all-inclusive cruise to the Canary Islands. First, experience the festive atmosphere of Lisbon, where the grand plaza, Praco do Comercio, houses a huge pine tree with thousands of lights. Explore the city’s historic streets, then look forward to celebrating Christmas Day on board Spirit of Discovery as your cruise continues to the Canary Islands. Step ashore on Boxing Day in Gran Canaria, perhaps taking a stroll along its beautiful beaches.
Continue to scenic La Palma and Tenerife, with its 16th-century plazas, and call at Lanzarote, where whitewashed cottages and a 17th-century church are set around a coastal lagoon in the capital Arrecife. Enjoy New Year celebrations on board during an overnight visit to Madeira and its capital city Funchal. Then return via the Spanish port of Vigo, gateway to UNESCO-listed Santiago de Compostela.
Included excursion in every port
Forensic Workshops with Diane Ivory
Diane is a former Fingerprint Expert and Crime Scene Examiner with 30 years of experience assisting the Police in crime investigation.
She is a captivating public speaker who also delivers fun and informative crime-themed activities, which give you the opportunity to take on the role of a CSI. During these immersive workshops you can get to grips with crime scene examination as you don your CSI suit, then powder items looking for fingerprints to compare against the “suspects” fingerprints.
Through her talks and demonstrations, you can gain a deeper understanding of the science behind crime scene investigation and how forensic evidence helps crack cases.
Itinerary
Embark Spirit of Discovery.
Depart 1700.
Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
Arrive 0900. Depart 2000.
The sprawling city of Lisbon is spread across seven hills. It boasts two UNESCO-listed sites: Jeronimos Monastery, where Vasco da Gama is entombed and Bélem Tower, built in his honour. Close by is the charming town of Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on account of its 19th-century romantic architecture.
Included excursion
See more of Lisbon on a choice of included excursion.
Optional excursions
Wander on foot through Lisbon’s downtown area to see the city’s historic architecture, visit Arrábida Natural Park and the Azeitão Winery, or explore Lisbon’s highlights by Tuk Tuk.
Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
Nearly half of Gran Canaria has been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The island is fringed with beautiful coves and sandy beaches to the south and wild mountains to the north. The subtropical capital of Las Palmas is set beside two broad bays and features cafe-lined squares and charming courtyards. The oldest sights can be seen in a trio of historic neighbourhoods: San Antonio, Triana and Vegueta. Discover over 500 years of history in the landmark Santa Ana Cathedral which encompasses Gothic, Renaissance and neoclassical styles.
Included excursion
A choice of included excursion will reveal some of the highlights.
Optional excursion
Join a scenic hike to Bandama Crater, one of the youngest volcanoes on the Canarian archipelago.
Arrive 0800. Depart 2000.
La Palma is the greenest of the Canaries and large tracts of its laurel forests have been declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The capital, Santa Cruz, is set in a sweeping natural amphitheatre and was a hub for New World explorers and merchant traders during the Age of Exploration. Its history is reflected in the 16th-century Castilian architecture and the old quarter with its wooden balconies and cobbled lanes is set around the Renaissance Plaza Espana.
Included excursion
An included excursion offers a relaxing way to see some of the highlights.
Optional excursions
Visit the historic sugar producing farm of La Hacienda and learn more about the traditions of silk making at the Silk Museum; or explore Los Tilos Forest, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, on foot.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1800.
Tenerife is crowned by the World Heritage Site, Mount Teide. Its capital Santa Cruz has a mix of old and new sights, from the central square of Plaza de Espana, which was built in 1929 to the auditorium, an expressionist structure that resembles a wave.
Included excursion
Explore further on a choice of included excursion.
Optional excursions
Take a cable car to the summit of Mount Teide, or enjoy tea at the Orchid Garden.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
Named in Spanish after the reef that edges its shoreline, peaceful Arrecife has been the island’s capital since it took the title from nearby Teguise in 1852. This relatively sleepy port’s origins can be seen in the whitewashed fishermen cottages and 17th-century church set around the coastal lagoon of El Charco de San Gines. From Arrecife, you can discover the vast lava fields and crater-studded landscapes of Timanfaya National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Included excursion
See some of the highlights on an included excursion.
Optional excursions
Visit northern Lanzarote and the Jameos del Agua Cave which showcases the architectural work of César Manrique, or perhaps head to Timanfaya National Park.
Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
Arrive 0800 on Dec 31. Depart 0100 on Jan 1.
Madeira is a verdant, mountainous island formed from a volcanic eruption and known for its namesake wine. Often described as the ‘floating garden in the Atlantic’, the island is home to the world’s largest laurel forest and Botanical Gardens where exotic indigenous plants grow.
Included excursion
See more of Funchal on a choice of included excursion.
Optional excursions
See more of the scenery during a levada walk, join a whale and dolphin watching RIB adventure or visit Monte Village and the Botanical Gardens.
⚓ Land by launch or tender.
Spend the day at sea.
Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
Arrive 0800. Depart 1700.
Vigo is a major fishing port, set in the wine-growing region of Rias Baixas on Spain’s Galician coast. This modern city has a historic quarter, Casco Vello, whose central square is the arcaded Plaza de la Constitución.
Included excursion
Explore your surroundings on an included panoramic excursion.
Optional excursions
Take advantage of the opportunity to visit UNESCO-listed Santiago de Compostela which is a treasure trove of Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque buildings – the greatest of which is easily the 11th-century cathedral thought to enshrine St James the Apostle.
Spend the day at sea.
See what we have to offer at sea.
Arrive 0700.
Disembark Spirit of Discovery after breakfast.
Important Information
§ Travel Insurance is underwritten by Astrenska Insurance Limited, subject to medical screening. A price reduction will be applied if the included travel insurance is not required. Pre-departure cover (cancellation rights) is provided by Saga and is only available when taking out the included insurance. Read More
from
£12,759 per person
Price includes travel insurance and additional cancellation cover. A price reduction of £87pp applies if the included travel and cancellation cover is not required § Read More
17 nights
20th December 2026
Spirit of Discovery
2019
Year built
987
Guest capacity (maximum)
540
Ship crew
Britannia Lounge
Relax in comfort with a drink, and admire the spectacular panoramic views.
Enjoy fine dining
Enjoy world-class cuisine at no extra cost in a choice of four restaurants.
Spa
Indulge yourself with a spa treatment in one of our six treatment rooms.
The Library
A booklover’s paradise combined with an artisanal coffee-shop, it's the perfect spot to research your next port of call.
Time for you
Take advantage of tailored exercise regimes and bespoke one-to-one fitness sessions with our health and wellbeing expert.
Daily afternoon tea
Indulge with a sumptuous selection of sweet treats at the daily afternoon tea.
The Terrace
This elegant ‘secret’ garden area is the perfect setting to enjoy the fresh air any time of the day.
from
£12,759 per person
Price includes travel insurance and additional cancellation cover. A price reduction of £87pp applies if the included travel and cancellation cover is not required § Read More
17 nights
20th December 2026