Nine Nights of Atlantic Sunshine

The Islands on Your Horizon

• Tenerife – Gold-sand crescents, volcanic vistas and the ethereal “Sea of Clouds” that wraps around Mount Teide.
• Lanzarote – Otherworldly volcanic landscapes, relaxing beaches, and outdoor recreation opportunities .
• Gran Canaria – Dynamic Las Palmas by morning, desert-like Maspalomas dunes by afternoon.
• Madeira (Funchal) – Terraced vineyards, street art and infamous wicker-toboggan rides.

A Sample 9-Night Itinerary

*Evening programming varies by cruise line.

All-Inclusive: What You Actually Get

Cruise lines define “all-inclusive” differently, so check the fine print. The most common 9-night bundles out of Southampton include:
• Main-dining and buffet meals
• Daily gratuities
• Classic drinks package (beer, wine, spirits, speciality coffees)
• Wi-Fi for one device per guest
• Port taxes & fees

Some lines, such as MSC, also throw in well-planned shore excursions and ample port stays of up to 16 hours—ideal when you want a sunset jeep tour on Lanzarote followed by tapas in Arrecife.

Comparing August 2025 “No-Fly” Deals

*Celebrity’s core fare already bundles drinks, Wi-Fi and tips, a policy they call Always Included .

Weather Report: Pack Light, Pack Bright

Expect daytime highs around 23 °C and balmy 19 °C evenings year-round— average summer temperatures are around 23 °C and winter temperatures average 19 °C . Bring SPF 30, a windbreaker for brisk Atlantic evenings, and one formal outfit if your ship still hosts gala nights.

Shore-Day Splurges Worth the Upgrade

1. 4x4 into Timanfaya’s lava fields – feel the heat when guides pour water into fumaroles that erupt into steam geysers.
2. Helicopter over Teide – the Canary Islands’ highest peak looks even more dramatic from 2,000 m.
3. Catamaran sunset sail off Maspalomas – dolphins often shadow the hull at dusk.

Family or Adults-Only? You Choose

Operators from P&O to Cruise1st layer choice upon choice: luxury, family, adult-only or last-minute. The broker highlights various types of cruises such as luxury, family, adult-only, last minute deals, and all-inclusive packages , so whether you’re travelling with toddlers or planning a child-free escape, there’s a nine-night match.

Budget Hacks From the Experts

• Book during Southampton Cruise Centre’s balcony sales; Cunard recently dangled a 25 % discount with code CANARY25—a promotion that was declared capacity-controlled and subject to change without notice (source).
• If you sail P&O, look for “No Tipping Required” fares—Ventura and Iona itineraries advertise exactly that.
• Cruise1st’s phone agents can sometimes bundle hotel stays or tours at cost price because the company acts as a tour operator for packages that include tours, hotels, or independent flights .

Sustainable Sailing Notes

Modern ships recycle 60–100 % of onboard water and increasingly rely on LNG. Ask your cruise line about shore-power capability in ports such as Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where electric hook-ups cut emissions while docked.

The Verdict

Nine nights, four islands, one floating resort: it’s the simplest way to trade the drizzle of the Solent for volcanic deserts, black-sand beaches and honey-rum nightcaps. As Cruise118 likes to say, there are cruises departing from Southampton practically every month of the year, often with up to £700 in savings per cabin . Book early, pack light and let the Atlantic do the rest.