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.

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

The Marella Explorer steps up to the plate, with a bumper batch of 10 restaurants and 10 bars. There are fleet favourites like Snack Shack and Kora La, plus brand new spaces like The Dining Club for foodies and a swanky bar, club and casino. The highlights don't stop at food and drink, though. There's also an indoor cinema, a Sports & Family Deck and a Champneys spa, where you can sign up for everything from body-balancing acupuncture and slimming treatments to body wraps and facials.

• Decks: 13
• Cabins: 962
• Restaurants: 10
• Bars: 10
• Pools: 1
• Lifts: 10

Entertainment onboard

The entertainment onboard Marella Explorer doesn’t disappoint. Not only does it have the biggest ever Broadway Show Lounge, it also boasts the flash, new Indigo bar, club and casino. Alternatively, you can listen to live music in The Lounge – a stylish space with a bright-pink piano and colour-changing bar.

The Lounge

A colour-changing feature bar, hot-pink piano and funky, ring-shaped seats take their place in this eye-catching lounge bar. You can admire the views, while listening to the soothing soundtrack of the live pianist.

 53

The clue’s in the name here. This bar is right next to Latitude 53, so it’s perfectly placed for some pre-dinner drinks.

The Shack

This deck bar provides cool-down drinks, like frozen cocktails, in between sunbathing. You’ll find it just above Snack Shack, overlooking the pool.

Bar @ The Mediterranean

This feature bar wraps around The Mediterranean – running from the inside to the outside. It’s the place to come for Mediterranean specialities, as well as your usual drinks and frozen cocktails. If you choose a seat outside, you'll get impressive sea views, since the terrace is positioned right at the back of the ship.

Indigo Bar

Indigo lays claim to the longest bar in the fleet. Flare demonstrations and cocktail-making sessions are often on the cards here. There's also plenty of seating around the bar’s edge, where you can take in the 360-degree views – day or night. After dark, the menus light up, showing off around-the-world themed cocktails, like Thai Punch and Jamaican Me Crazy.

Broadway Show Lounge

With a capacity of 1,000 people, this show lounge is big enough to rival a Broadway theatre. And that’s not all it’s got going for it. There are 12 brand-new shows on offer, plus you'll be handed a drink on arrival.

Indigo Casino

If you’re feeling lucky, you can try out the slot machines and card tables at the Indigo Casino.

Indigo Club

You’ll find the club in the middle of Indigo, flaunting a dancefloor and a DJ booth. It's where silent discos and Eighties or Nineties-themed nights take place.

Aperitif

Champagne and Prosecco are on the menu at this speakeasy-style bar. It’s a great spot to head before or after a meal at one of the speciality restaurants.

Squid & Anchor

Our first pub at sea is a modern take on a traditional British boozer. There are two bars to pick from – one deals in premium gins and whiskies, which are chargeable. Plus, this place is home to a live band and quiz nights.

Package includes flights from Dublin, transfers, baggage and an all-inclusive Atlantic Islands cruise with your meals, drinks and tips included. 

Sample prices:

• Depart 25th January 2027 from €1019pp
• Depart 8th February 2027 fom €1149pp
• Depart 22nd March 2027 fom €1169pp

This cruise itinerary departs throughout late 2026 and early 2027. Please contact us for pricing on your preferred travel dates.

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

• Return flights from Dublin
• Checked luggage
• Return airport transfers
• 7 night Atlantic Islands cruise onboard Marella Explorer

• 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
• Extending your holiday with a post-cruise stay in the Canaries- ask our team for recommendations

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply. Prices are live and only guaranteed at 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.