Christmas & New Year Canaries & Madeira Cruise

• Day One – Depart from Bristol

  Depart: 2145hrs

  Board Marco Polo in Bristol, today, settle in to your cabin and relax as your cruise begins.

• Day Two – Cobh, Ireland

  Arrive: 1400hrs

  Depart: 2100hrs

  Early this afternoon, Marco Polo arrives in Cork's long, narrow Cobh Harbour. Shore excursions here offer you the chance to discover this historic capital of southwest Ireland, to head into the beautiful rolling countryside to fashionable Kinsale or to visit famous Blarney Castle, just north of the city, for a chance to kiss the Blarney Stone.

• Days Three and Four – At sea

  Spend two days relaxing on board.

• Day Five – Lisbon, Portugal

  Arrive: 0800hrs

  Depart: 1800hrs

  The Portuguese capital Lisbon is your next port. Stroll the narrow streets of the Alfama district, and climb aboard one of the city's famous trams. See the extraordinary Manueline architecture of the Belem quarter, and the striking modern buildings of the Baixa.

• Day Six – Christmas Day

  Enjoy a Christmas celebration unlike any other as you spend the day at sea in the company of your fellow passengers. You’ll be looked after by the Captain, Officers, crew and entertainment team, who will do everything they can to ensure that the day is one to remember.

• Day Seven – Madeira, Portugal

  Arrive: 0800hrs

  Depart: 1800hrs

  Madeira is one of the world’s most beautiful islands, a lush, sub-tropical paradise that's home to some of the most vibrant and exotic flora on Earth. The verdant island capital, Funchal, is a relaxing and captivating place for a Boxing Day walk, and you really shouldn't miss the exhilaration of a wickerwork 'toboggan' ride down through the streets from Monte to Livramento!

• Day Eight – La Palma, Spain

  Arrive: 1200hrs

  Depart: 2000hrs

  One of the world’s most beautiful islands, La Palma, waits to greet Marco Polo at lunchtime, today. Step ashore to explore a landscape dominated by an 8000-foot central mountain and where the main town, Santa Cruz, acts as a gateway to the rugged but beautiful countryside.

• Day Nine – Tenerife, Spain

  Arrive: 0900hrs

  Depart: 2400hrs

  Spend a day exploring Tenerife as Marco Polo stops in Santa Cruz, principal port of this famous holiday island. Few places offer such a range of ecosystems and climates, from the warm seas off Playa Del Duque to the snowy slopes of mighty Mount Teide.

• Day 10 – Gran Canaria, Spain

  Arrive: 0600hrs

  Depart: 2200hrs

  Today Marco Polo arrives in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria’s principal port. Wander the palm-fringed squares and cobbled streets of Vegueta, the port's old town, immerse yourself in the bustle of modern Puerto de la Luz or take an excursion to explore the rugged landscape of Pico de las Nieves or the pristine sand dunes of Maspalomas.

• Day 11 – Lanzarote, Spain

  Arrive: 0800hrs

  Depart: 1500hrs

  Your last Canaries call is Arrecife, the capital of Lanzarote. Enjoy the warmth and - hopefully - sunshine of this famous holiday isle, relaxing on its black-sand beaches or perhaps heading to the Fire Mountains in Timanfaya National Park to ride a camel to the edge of a volcano!

• Day 12 – New Year's Eve

  Marco Polo spends New Year's Eve cruising back towards mainland Europe, and you'll have plenty of time to relax and pamper yourself before the evening's celebrations begin.

• Day 13 – Gibraltar, British Overseas Territory

  Arrive: 0800hrs

  Depart: 1400hrs

  Spend the first day of 2021 in the very British outpost of Gibraltar in the shadow of the famous Rock. Search out a bargain on Main Street, or take a cable car to the heights above to see the famous Barbary Apes, and the views across the Straits to North Africa and the Atlas Mountains.

• Day 14 – At sea

  Spend today relaxing on board.

• Day 15 – La Coruna, Spain

  Arrive: 0900hrs

  Depart: 1800hrs

  Marco Polo's last stop is the historic Spanish port of A Coruna, or La Coruna. Step ashore to explore the atmospheric medieval quarter, stroll the extensive seafront promenade, or perhaps take a shore excursion to Santiago de Compostela.

• Day 16 – At sea

  Spend today relaxing on board.

• Day 17 – Arrive back at Bristol

  Arrive: 1100hrs

  Say goodbye to Marco Polo, her crew and your fellow passengers as she arrives in Bristol, today, and you disembark at the end of a wonderful cruise.

Days marked above with an anchor include ports where you will be transferred to shore by landing boat. These ports may be inaccessible for customers with mobility difficulties as a result. Any days not listed will be spent at sea.

• Passport requirements

  British Citizens will need a full, 10-year passport to travel on this cruise. Since some countries require visitors to be valid for at least six months after the return date of the cruise we recommend that all customers ensure that this is the case. Holders of non-British passports should check with the relevant embassies to see if any requirements and restrictions exist for any countries visited during the cruise.

• Foreign Office travel advice

  Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.