Why you should choose a Saga all-inclusive, luxury cruise to the Canary Islands

Saga Cruises to the Canary Islands ensure travellers call at a selection of ports in this unique archipelago off the coast of Africa.

Not only is this neck of the ocean ideal for winter sun but Saga guarantees you can enjoy it all in the lap of luxury onboard the cruise line’s all-inclusive, all-balcony ships.

We’ve taken a look at where Saga cruises to, which voyages you can join and the best Canary Islands shore excursions you can participate in to make sure your holiday snaps – and memories – are something to treasure.

Saga Canary Island cruise holidays: Where in the Canaries does Saga sail?

Saga Cruises visits four Canary Islands: Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife.

However, with all Saga cruises to the Canary Islands guests will stop off at a number of other exciting ports such as Funchal in Madeira, Cadiz in Spain and Lisbon in Portugal, depending on the itinerary you choose.

Saga Canary Island cruise holidays: Why should you pick a Saga cruise to the Canaries?

Unlike a land-based getaway, with a Saga Canary Islands cruise you don’t just get stuck in one place – you’ll visit a selection of gorgeous stops in the Canaries, so whether you want beaches or unforgettable experiences, Saga has you covered.

What’s more, your journey begins hassle-free with no airport queues or flight mayhem – all these no-fly cruises sail from Portsmouth in the UK so your holiday can start as soon as you arrive at the port!

You might only be heading south but a cruise to the Canary Islands can make you feel like you’ve left planet Earth altogether as you’re treated to a plethora of otherworldly landscapes.

Think Lanzarote’s lunar-like plains and black sand beaches not to mention intriguing fauna and majestic mountains. Talk about getting away from it all!

The wildlife isn’t just impressive on land, though. Experts and volunteers from wildlife charity ORCA join selected Saga’s Canary Island cruises and hold ‘deck watches’ onboard.

Guests can learn all about the lives of whales, dolphins and porpoises – and might well spot the marine mammals themselves!

You don’t just have to head out on deck to soak up landscapes or wildlife, though. All Saga’s cabins come with balconies so you’ll have your own private al fresco space to admire the beauty before you from (doing so with a glass of fizz in hand encouraged).

Saga Canary Island cruise holidays: What are Saga’s Canary Island shore excursions?

On top of first class service, included chauffeur service and speciality dining – as well as all the above – Saga throws in included excursions at selected ports with your cruise fare.

And the good news is, there are awesome incredible shore experiences available on Saga Canaries cruises so adventure is yours for the taking.

Foodies will relish the volcanic barbecue on Lanzarote’s Fire Mountain – the heat comes fresh from the volcano in Timanfaya National Park in the aptly named El Diablo restaurant!

As you tuck into your feast you can take in the 360-degree panorama across the rugged landscape and the impressive building itself – it’s one of local artist César Manrique’s creations.

More volcanic escapades are to be had over on Gran Canaria where you can hike the Bandama Caldera, one of the youngest volcanoes in the Canarian archipelago. It boasts a crater of more than 650ft deep and a diameter of almost three-quarters of a mile. Don’t worry about the risk of eruption – the volcano was last active about 3,000 years ago! As we said, a youthful volcano….

Wildlife lovers, meanwhile, will enjoy a whale-watching catamaran excursion in Tenerife. Pilot and sperm whales reside all year in the waters around the island in pods of between eight and 15.

With any luck, you’ll spy the alpha male – 26ft-long on average, weighing in at about 5,500lbs. Maybe there will be glimpses of other whale species and dolphins too if the fauna gods play ball.

If you fancy culture, join the exclusive tour to a silk museum on the island of La Palma; it’s the only place in Europe still weaving using a traditional 500-year-old process!

The same Saga shore excursion takes you to Hacienda de Abajo, a former 17th-century sugar estate filled with sculptures, paintings, furniture, porcelain and tapestries on the inside and lovely gardens on the outside.

And to think, these are just a taster of Saga’s Canary Islands shore excursions; there are plenty more available so do be sure to explore all the options available when booking your luxury Saga cruise.