Santa Cruz is one of the Canary Islands’ biggest hitters. It shares its capital city title with Las Palmas, on the neighbouring island of Gran Canaria, and more than lives up to the role. In the space of just a few streets, the bustling port area melts into an inviting old town.

Golden dunes drenched in year-round sunshine. Rugged mountains hiding pretty whitewashed villages. Bays and coves linked together like a magnificent sandy necklace. Nature’s been kind to Gran Canaria so little surprise it lures sun-worshippers back year after year.

Fuerteventura is the Canary Island of choice for beach connoisseurs. Its coastline morphs from the 10 kilometre-long blonde sweep in the Parque Natural de las Dunas to the wind-whipped sands in Playa de Sotavento, which hosts the Windsurfing World Championships every year.

Lanzarote's lunar landscape is legendary, its sun-soaked beaches loved worldwide, and its all-round postcard prettiness powerful enough to draw people back year after year. In fact, there’s not much to dislike about Lanzarote. Soaked in sunshine and dotted with whitewashed villages, it’s got a charm all of its own.

Sweeter than wine, Madeira’s a fine excuse to binge on beautiful scenery to your heart’s content. Funchal is the island’s capital, a bewitching collection of cobbled streets, quaint museums and buzzing café and restaurant life.

Mother Nature had a field day with La Palma. All rolling mountains, plunging valleys and sweet-smelling pine forests, the little island certainly isn’t short on breathtaking scenery. Things are just as good looking along the coast, where dramatic black-sand beaches give way to hidden coves

Day 1: Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Day 2: Santa Cruz, Tenerife

Day 3: Arrecife, Lanzarote

Day 4: Cruising

Day 5: Funchal, Madeira

Day 6: Santa Cruz de La Palma, La Palma

Day 7: Puerto Del Rosario, Fuerteventura

Day 8: Las Palmas, Gran Canaria

Marella Discovery 2 is the sister ship to Marella Discovery, which means it shares most of the same top-notch facilities. These include an outdoor cinema, a rock climbing wall and a minigolf course. Not to mention the two pools – one indoor and one outdoor – plus, eight restaurants and a spa. And to top the lot, there are Broadway-style performances are on every night in the show lounge.

Dining

There are eight restaurants to choose from. There’s full waiter service at the main restaurant, which serves up traditional dishes with a modern twist. Plus, there are eateries specialising in a particular cuisine – think succulent steak or pan-Asian fare. There’s plenty of choice in the way of drinking spots, as well, whether you’re looking for a pot of tea or a flute of prosecco.

Entertainment

With so many entertainment options, no night onboard is the same as the last. The Broadway Show Lounge delivers on West End style numbers. Then there’s Squid & Anchor, which plays host to family-friendly game shows and pub quizzes. Movies by Moonlight take over out on deck, while live musicians showcase the acoustics in the Atrium Bar. As the night draws to a close, head to the Live Room for a session on the dancefloor.

Facilities

Chilled-out days onboard are spent getting pampered at the spa or lounging by one of the two pools – both come with built-in whirlpools, too. For something more active, you can aim for a hole-in-one on the minigolf course or reach for the sky on the rock climbing wall.

Accommoation

Choose from a variety of cabin types: Inside, Inside Plus, Single Inside, Outside (with window or porthole), Single Outside, Deluxe Cabin (floor to ceiling window), Balcony Cabin, Deluxe Balcony, Junior Suite, Family Suite, Executive Suite and Grand Suite. All cabins come with:

• Air-conditioning
• Hairdryer
• Flatscreen TV
• Wardrobe space
• Tea and coffee-making facilities
• Safe

Sample prices:

• Depart 20th January 2025: from €1055
• Depart 3rd February 2025: from €1067

Prices per person is based on 2 adults sharing and includes:

• Return flights from Dublin
• Checked luggage
• Return airport transfers
• 7 night Atlantic Islands Cruise cruise onboard Marella Explorer, in an inside cabin

• Marella Cruises are All-Inclusive: transfers, meals, drinks & tips are all included as standard

Please ask us about:

• Travel insurance
• Flights from other Irish airports
• Cabin upgrades

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply. Prices are based on live availability and can change. Prices are only guaranteed at the time of booking. 

For more information please call us on 021 427 7094 or 0818 300205, email cruise@shandontravel.ie request a call back using the red button, or submit an enquiry through the form below.