Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Ocean cruises |
|---|---|
| Country |
Spain Portugal |
| Travel type |
Cruise |
| Price range | From £1489 |
| Travel partner | Newmarket Holidays |
| Duration | 14 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6731 |
Canaries & Madeira Christmas Cruise - Marco Polo ex Tilbury
|
|
|
|
- 14 nights' accommodation in your choice of cabin
- Full-board arrangements including full breakfast, luncheon, dinner, afternoon tea and midnight snacks
- On-board entertainment as arranged
- Calls at ports as detailed in the itinerary
- The services of a friendly, professional crew and cruise staff
- Port charges and taxes
Make your way to the London Cruise Terminal this morning, and board Marco Polo before she sails early this afternoon.
Days Two and Three
Your first two full days are spent at sea, enjoying life on board, as Marco Polo continues her journey south.
Day Four
Early this morning Marco Polo makes her way into the stunning natural harbour of Ria de Vigo, and you can spend the morning exploring this historic fishing port with its old town of cobbled streets.
Day Five - Christmas Eve
The Portuguese capital Lisbon - 'Gateway to the New Worlds' - stands on the River Tagus, down which the great adventurers sailed during the Age of Exploration. Today's shore excursion will introduce you to the city, where the maze of narrow, hilly streets of the Alfamar district have remained unchanged it seems for centuries.Today is Christmas Eve, so some of the city shops may close early, and not all attractions are guaranteed to be open.
Day Six - Christmas Day
Enjoy Christmas celebrations - Marco Polo-style - as you awake at sea and spend the day in the company of your fellow passengers, being looked after by Captain, Officers, crew and entertainment team, who will do everything they can to ensure that the day is one to remember.
Day Seven
Step ashore to walk off a few of those Christmas calories as Marco Polo makes the first of her Canaries' calls in Arrecife, capital of Lanzarote. Enjoy the warmth and - hopefully - sunshine of this famous holiday isle, and perhaps the opportunity to head to 'fire mountain' and the chance to take a camel ride to the edge of a volcano!
Day Eight
Today sees Marco Polo tying up in the great trading port of Las Palmas, gateway to Gran Canaria. Step ashore to explore the bustling metropolis of modern Puerto de la Luz or head to the old town - Vegueta - with its cathedral and palm-fringed squares. Take an optional shore excursion into the island interior, which rises to the height of nearly 2000 metres and offers some superb panoramic views.
Day Nine
One of the world's most beautiful islands, La Palma, waits to greet Marco Polo this afternoon. Step ashore to explore an land dominated by 8000-foot central mountain and where the main town, Santa Cruz, acts as a gateway to the rugged but beautiful countryside.
Day 10
Madeira is a sun-blessed, lush, green sub-tropical paradise, the verdant island capital, Funchal a perfect, relaxing, captivating port of call. Don't miss the truly wonderful Botanical Gardens, or the exhilaration of a wickerwork 'toboggan' ride from Monte to Livramento!
Day 11
Marco Polo turns for home, with a day at sea.
Day 12 - New Year's Eve
This Portuguese port of Leixoes gives you the chance to step ashore, perhaps to join this afternoon's excursion, to the historic city of Oporto, in its picture-postcard setting on the River Douro. Enjoy a night of celebrations and a Gala Dinner, as you welcome in 2012 on board Marco Polo.
Days 13 and 14
A last two days are spent at sea, with resolutions made, and no doubt reliving memories of the cruise as you head back into the English Channel.Day 15Marco Polo arrives back in Tilbury at the end of a wonderful festive cruise.
MV Marco Polo
In an age of vast, impersonal, floating hotels, 22,000-tonne 'Marco Polo', her profile marking her out as the epitome of sea-going elegance, is a beautiful ocean-liner in the classic tradition. Offering high levels of comfort, sumptuous dining and a genuinely warm welcome from the crew, 'Marco Polo' will offer everything you'd expect of such a high-class vessel.
Fully stabilised and air-conditioned, 'Marco Polo' boasts eight passenger decks, which are serviced by four lifts and three wide stairwells. Out on deck a vast amount of space ensures plenty of viewing opportunities when cruising through scenic waters, and more-than-ample room for sunbathers to top up their tans, while belowdecks you'll find facilities to cater to all your cruising pleasures by day and night. In addition to the comfortable lounges and bars, beautiful main dining room and light and airy bistro there's a shopping arcade, a library, a card room and an internet room. The Spa, Beauty and Fitness Centre spoils the body-conscious with a gym, a hair and beauty salon, a table-tennis room, a massage and sauna area, and even deck-top Jacuzzis.'Marco Polo"s 15 categories of cabins and suites all offer private facilities with showers or bath/showers, TV with satellite, 'view from the bridge' and in-house movie channels, telephones, hairdryers and personal safes. Cabins have a variety of twin and double beds, with upper berths for third and fourth sharing passengers. Outside cabins offer porthole or larger windows. Your cabin will be looked after your steward/stewardess and housekeeper, who will ensure that beds are made, towels are changed and toiletries replenished. All cabins feature 110v and 220v current and have an electrical socket. Even in the most economical cabins, the standard features are impressive.
