Atlantic Islands 14 Nights From Funchal, Madeira


CRUISE ONLY	WAS £1269 pp £1192 PP
FLY CRUISE	Call
Prices based on 2 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.


CRUISE ONLY	WAS £1499 pp £1409 PP
FLY CRUISE	Call
Prices based on 2 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.


CRUISE ONLY	WAS £2119 pp £1991 PP
FLY CRUISE	Call
Prices based on 2 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.


CRUISE ONLY	Call
FLY CRUISE	Call
Prices based on 2 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.


CRUISE ONLY	Call
FLY CRUISE	Call
Prices based on 3 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.


CRUISE ONLY	Call
FLY CRUISE	Call
Prices based on 4 people sharing. Cruise only price does not include flights. Fly-cruise price may vary by chosen UK airport.

Itinerary

Take a look at the shore excursions available for this itinerary.

Funchal, Madeira

Formed by a volcanic eruption, Madeira lies in the Gulf Stream, about 500 miles due west of Casablanca. Discovered by Portuguese explorer João Gonçalves Zarco in 1419, this beautiful island became part of Portugal’s vast empire and was named for the dense forest which cloaked it - 'Madeira' means 'wood' in Portuguese. Sugar plantations first brought wealth here, and when King Charles II of England granted an exclusive franchise to sell wine to England and its colonies, many British emigrants were drawn to the capital, Funchal. Today’s travellers come to Madeira for the varied and luxuriant scenery, from mountain slopes covered with vines to picturesque villages and a profusion of wild flowers. The natural beauty of the island has earned it many pseudonyms such as ‘The Floating Garden of the Atlantic’, 'The Island of Eternal Springtime' and ‘God’s Botanical Gardens’ and our selection of excursions aim to show you why.

20 March 2025

Summary

Santa Cruz de La Palma

Also known as ‘La Isla Bonita’ (the beautiful island), La Palma is typified by lush forests of pine, laurel and fern which contrast with the rugged splendour of the gigantic Taburiente crater. The island is dotted with attractive villages, which are a delight to discover, and the capital Santa Cruz also makes for an interesting day of exploration. Perched on the edge of the volcanic crater of La Caldereta, Santa Cruz comfortably blends modern architecture with old colonial buildings. Perhaps visit the fascinating Natural History Museum, stroll around the historic quarters and the Plaza de Espana or travel a few miles outside the city to the exquisite Church of Our Lady. If you enjoy shopping, you can find reasonably priced silver jewellery, leather goods and beautifully embroidered clothes, tablecloths and napkins, a speciality of the Canary Islands.

21 March 2025

Summary

Arrecife, Lanzarote

A volcanic island designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Lanzarote’s dramatic landscapes were shaped by an explosive past. Today, its pretty beaches and virtual absence of rain together with duty-free shopping make the island an extremely desirable destination. The main port and capital, Arrecife, is a pleasant town with a modern seafront and colourful gardens. Outside the capital there is plenty to explore, from the dazzling white salt flats of Janubio and the rugged terrain of Fire Mountain to the eerie caves of Los Verdes and an array of unspoilt fishing villages scattered around the coast. The island is home to a great selection of restaurants and local specialities including garbanzos compuestos – a chickpea stew; papas arrugadas – potatoes with carrots, peas, ham and green pepper; and of course, plenty of fresh seafood. Please note that those planning to participate in one of the shore excursions from this port may need to take an early lunch on board ship to suit the excursion schedules.

22 March 2025

Summary

Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The largest of the Canary Islands, Tenerife is a beautiful and scenic island which enjoys year-round sunshine and is dominated by Mount Teide. The mountain range runs through the centre of the island, with fertile valleys on the northern side. In the central part of the range is the gigantic natural crater of the Cañadas del Teide, about 14 miles in diameter. Santa Cruz, the island’s pretty capital, was originally a small fishing village but has now grown into a modern city, and also contains 16th-century civic buildings and ornate private mansions. Near the pier is the Santa Cruz Palmetum, a Botanical Garden covering an area of 29 acres, specialising in palms.

23 March 2025

Summary

At Sea

24 March 2025

Casablanca

The original settlement formed on the site of Casablanca by the Berbers became the kingdom of Anfa, and during the 15th century harboured pirates who raided the Portuguese coast. In retaliation for the attacks, the Portuguese destroyed Anfa and founded the town they called Casa Branca (white house). They remained here until an earthquake in 1755 and the town was subsequently rebuilt by Mohammed ben Abdallah, whose legacy of mosques and houses can still be seen in the old Medina. Casablanca acquired its present-day name when the Spanish obtained special port privileges in 1781. The French landed here in 1907, later establishing a protectorate and modelling the town on the port of Marseilles. Today Casablanca is Morocco’s largest city, its most significant port and the centre of commerce and industry. The city is a vibrant fusion of European, African and Arabian influences and its French colonial architecture and art deco buildings seamlessly blend in with the busy, colourful markets. Please note that vendors in the souks can be very persistent and eager to make a sale.

25 March 2025

Summary

At Sea

26 March 2025

Valencia

Valencia, Spain's third-largest municipality, is a proud city with a thriving nightlife and restaurant scene, quality museums, and spectacular contemporary architecture, juxtaposed with a thoroughly charming historic quarter, making it a popular destination year in year out. During the Civil War, it was the last seat of the Republican Loyalist government (1935–36), holding out against Franco’s National forces until the country fell to 40 years of dictatorship. Today it represents the essence of contemporary Spain—daring design and architecture along with experimental cuisine—but remains deeply conservative and proud of its traditions. Though it faces the Mediterranean, Valencia's history and geography have been defined most significantly by the River Turia and the fertile huerta that surrounds it.The city has been fiercely contested ever since it was founded by the Greeks. El Cid captured Valencia from the Moors in 1094 and won his strangest victory here in 1099: he died in the battle, but his corpse was strapped into his saddle and so frightened the besieging Moors that it caused their complete defeat. In 1102 his widow, Jimena, was forced to return the city to Moorish rule; Jaume I finally drove them out in 1238. Modern Valencia was best known for its frequent disastrous floods until the River Turia was diverted to the south in the late 1950s. Since then the city has been on a steady course of urban beautification. The lovely bridges that once spanned the Turia look equally graceful spanning a wandering municipal park, and the spectacularly futuristic Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències (City of Arts and Sciences), most of it designed by Valencia-born architect Santiago Calatrava, has at last created an exciting architectural link between this river town and the Mediterranean. If you're in Valencia, an excursion to Albufera Nature Park is a worthwhile day trip.

27 March 2025

Summary

At Sea

28 March 2025

Palermo

Once the intellectual capital of southern Europe, Palermo has always been at the crossroads of civilization. Favorably situated on a crescent-shaped bay at the foot of Monte Pellegrino, it has attracted almost every culture touching the Mediterranean world. To Palermo's credit, it has absorbed these diverse cultures into a unique personality that is at once Arab and Christian, Byzantine and Roman, Norman and Italian. The city's heritage encompasses all of Sicily's varied ages, but its distinctive aspect is its Arab-Norman identity, an improbable marriage that, mixed in with Byzantine and Jewish elements, created some resplendent works of art. No less noteworthy than the architecture is Palermo's chaotic vitality, on display at some of Italy's most vibrant outdoor markets, public squares, street bazaars, and food vendors, and above all in its grand climax of Italy's most spectacular passeggiata (the leisurely social stroll along the principal thoroughfare).

29 March 2025

Summary

At Sea

30 March 2025

Corfu

Corfu town today is a vivid tapestry of cultures—a sophisticated weave, where charm, history, and natural beauty blend. Located about midway along the island's east coast, this spectacularly lively capital is the cultural heart of Corfu and has a remarkable historic center that UNESCO designated as a World Heritage Site in 2007. All ships and planes dock or land near Corfu town, which occupies a small peninsula jutting into the Ionian Sea.Whether arriving by ferry from mainland Greece or Italy, from another island, or directly by plane, catch your breath by first relaxing with a coffee or a gelato in Corfu town's shaded Liston Arcade, then stroll the narrow lanes of its pedestrians-only quarter. For an overview of the immediate area, and a quick tour of Mon Repos palace, hop on the little tourist train that runs from May to September. Corfu town has a different feel at night, so book a table at one of its famed tavernas to savor the island's unique cuisine.The best way to get around Corfu town is on foot. The town is small enough so that you can easily walk to every sight. There are local buses, but they do not thread their way into the streets (many now car-free) of the historic center. If you are arriving by ferry or plane, it's best to take a taxi to your hotel. Expect to pay about €10 from the airport or ferry terminal to a hotel in Corfu town. If there are no taxis waiting, you can call for one.

31 March 2025

Summary

Bari

Bari, capital of the province of Apulia, lies on southern Italy's Adriatic coast. Its busy port is a leading commercial and industrial centre as well as a transit point for travellers catching ferries across the Adriatic to Greece. Bari comprises a new and an old town. To the north, on a promontory between the old and new harbours, lies the picturesque old town, or Citta Vecchia, with a maze of narrow, crooked streets. To the south is the spacious and regularly planned new town, which has developed considerably since 1930, when the Levant Fair was first held here. The heart of the modern town is Piazza della Liberta. The busy thoroughfare, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, separates the new town from the old. At the eastern end of the Corso begins the Lungomare Nazario Sauro, a magnificent seafront promenade that runs along the old harbour. Bari and the Apulian region were long recognized for their strategic location, attracting a succession of colonizers such as the Normans, Moors and Spaniards, each leaving their mark.

01 April 2025

Summary

Zadar

Dalmatia's capital for more than 1,000 years, Zadar is all too often passed over by travelers on their way to Split or Dubrovnik. What they miss out on is a city of more than 73,000 that is remarkably lovely and lively despite—and, in some measure, because of—its tumultuous history. The Old Town, separated from the rest of the city on a peninsula some 4 km (2½ miles) long and just 1,640 feet wide, is bustling and beautiful: the marble pedestrian streets are replete with Roman ruins, medieval churches, palaces, museums, archives, and libraries. Parts of the new town are comparatively dreary, a testament to what a world war followed by decades of communism, not to mention a civil war, can do to the architecture of a city that is 3,000 years old. A settlement had already existed on the site of the present-day city for some 2,000 years when Rome finally conquered Zadar in the 1st century BC; the foundations of the forum can be seen today. Before the Romans came the Liburnians had made it a key center for trade with the Greeks and Romans for 800 years. In the 3rd century BC the Romans began to seriously pester the Liburnians, but required two centuries to bring the area under their control. During the Byzantine era, Zadar became the capital of Dalmatia, and this period saw the construction of its most famous church, the 9th-century St. Donat's Basilica. It remained the region's foremost city through the ensuing centuries. The city then experienced successive onslaughts and occupations—both long and short—by the Osogoths, the Croatian-Hungarian kings, the Venetians, the Turks, the Habsburgs, the French, the Habsburgs again, and finally the Italians before becoming part of Yugoslavia and, in 1991, the independent republic of Croatia. Zadar was for centuries an Italian-speaking city, and Italian is still spoken widely, especially by older people. Indeed, it was ceded to Italy in 1921 under the Treaty of Rapallo (and reverted to its Italian name of Zara). Its occupation by the Germans from 1943 led to intense bombing by the Allies during World War II, which left most of the city in ruins. Zadar became part of Tito's Yugoslavia in 1947, prompting many Italian residents to leave. Zadar's most recent ravages occurred during a three-month siege by Serb forces and months more of bombardment during the Croatian-Serbian war between 1991 and 1995. But you'd be hard-pressed to find outward signs of this today in what is a city to behold. There are helpful interpretive signs in English all around the Old Town, so you certainly won't feel lost when trying to make sense of the wide variety of architectural sites you might otherwise pass by with only a cursory look.

02 April 2025

Summary

Venice

Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you've seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more dreamlike than you could imagine. With canals where streets should be, water shimmers everywhere. The fabulous palaces and churches reflect centuries of history in what was a wealthy trading center between Europe and the Orient. Getting lost in the narrow alleyways is a quintessential part of exploring Venice, but at some point you'll almost surely end up in Piazza San Marco, where tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or an aperitif.

03 April 2025

Summary

*This holiday is generally suitable for persons with reduced mobility. For customers with reduced mobility or any medical condition that may require special assistance or arrangements to be made, please notify your Cruise Concierge at the time of your enquiry, so that we can provide specific information as to the suitability of the holiday, as well as make suitable arrangements with the Holiday Provider on your behalf.

Map

What's Included with MSC Cruises

When you take a well-deserved holiday with the MSC cruise line, you can benefit from an abundance of inclusions while on-board. Plus, if you upgrade to a drinks package, you will enjoy the benefits of an all-inclusive experience. Talk to our cruise concierge about all the various types of MSC drink packages that will best suit your needs.

	Accommodation
	Entertainment throughout the day and evening
	Return flights included from a choice of UK airports (fly cruise bookings only)
	Selected hot drinks, iced tea, lemonade, juices, and water in selected venues
	Adult only areas
	Sailaway parties, themed nights and deck parties

	Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in a choice of included dining venues
	Use of swimming pools, hot tubs, fitness centre and leisure facilities where available
	Port taxes
	Porterage of luggage from port to cabin
	Youth programmes for babies to 17-year-olds
	Shuttle service to and from ports and airport where available

Explore MSC Opera

L'Approdo Restaurant

Summary

L'Approdo Restaurant is located on deck 6.

La Caravella Restaurant

Summary

La Caravella Restaurant is located on deck 5.

II Patio Bar

Summary

Alfresco restaurant, serving pizza and fast-food styled dishes.

Le Vele Self Service Buffet

Summary Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A cafeteria style, self-service buffet.

Venchi Ice Cream Bar

Vitamin Bar

Bike Tours

Sustainable Shore Excursions: MSC Protectours

Summary

What are Protectours

We are committed to preserving a beautiful world for future generations to enjoy. By focusing on environmental sustainability, PROTECTOURS contribute to that vital goal. 70% of the tours involve activities with zero environmental impact – like walking, cycling, or kayaking – while others make a direct contribution to the environment, for example, tree planting or beach cleaning. So, you can enjoy original insights into the natural world while preserving its beauty and helping to ensure a greener future!

A world of amazing experiences

PROTECTOURS offer you unforgettable experiences in close contact with nature and communities in a variety of environments around the world. Local guides, with an expertise in wildlife or traditions, will help you save baby sea turtles in the Caribbean, clean the desert in Abu Dhabi, explore Iceland by horseback, or immerse yourself in Corfu’s beautiful countryside and the magical world of bees.

MSC Cruises and the environment

Our love and respect for the marine environment are reflected in our certified eco-ships, with their innovative systems for energy saving, waste treatment and recycling. Naturally, our commitment to the environments extends to our onshore activities too. PROTECTOURS is not only a way to offer our guests a variety of eco-friendly shore excursions, but also a means of encouraging our onshore partners to develop tours that pay ever more attention to environmental sustainability. Just one example is that no single-use plastic or other items are accepted on these tours.

MSC Family Explorer Club

Summary

MSC Family Explorer Club

Explore the destination together on a fun filled family adventure, inspired by history and designed to cover all the highlights.

Family friendly programming

Tours typically start later in the morning, are shorter in duration and are accompanied by expert guides and story tellers

Tours that the whole family can enjoy

Each experience is developed to keep both children entertained while also providing an enriching and educational experience for adults

Family-Friendly Prices 50% off

Children tickets are always half-price

Peace of Mind

When you choose an MSC Family Explorer Club you can relax in the knowledge that all our tours are operated by carefully selected partners who can easily make contact with your ship throughout the day.

Easy & Accessible Excursions

Summary

Explore each destination at your own pace

Our Easy & Accessible Tours make exploring comfortable for everyone!

These tours allow slow walkers, wheelchair, scooter users and any guests that like to leisurely explore, to visit the best each destination has to offer on easy tours created just for them. Through specifically selected itineraries and specially designed tours, guests will be able to enjoy step free routes at their own pace, experiencing the wonders of our destinations in total comfort. Special needs vehicles will be available to accommodate small groups, and tours itineraries will always include access to special needs restrooms.

Please note that vehicles and their wheelchair & scooter requirements (width, height, weight) vary from tour to tour so make sure to carefully check the specific requirements within each tour description.

Teatro Dell'Opera

Summary

713 seat theatre, and the main show lounge onboard. Offers tiered seating, and features small-scale production shows and cabaret performances.

Med Pearl Casino

Summary

Our casinos are elegantly designed, featuring games for all types of players. You’ll be able to try your hand at Roulette or Blackjack, challenge yourself at one of our Poker tables, or choose among a variety of slot machines.

Byblos Discoteca

Summary

Late-night bar and nightclub with a 450 square foot dance floor.

La Cabala Piano Bar & Lounge

Summary

Show lounge, with piano and bar and 193 square foot dance floor.

The Card Room

Summary

The ship's card room is located on deck 7 and seats 28 guests.

Sottovento Pub

Summary

Sottovento Pub is located on deck 5.

Piazza di Spagna Lounge

Summary

Piazza di Spagna Lounge is located on deck 5.

Lo Spinnaker Pool Bar

Cotton Club

Summary

Cotton Club is located on deck 6.

Coffee Bar

Summary

Coffee Bar is located on deck 6.

Le Piscine and Doremi Spray Park

Summary If a bit of poolside therapy sounds like your idea of heaven, look no further than one of our numerous swimming pools to get your fill of sun and relaxation, while our pool attendants can cater to your every need.

Arcade

White Party

MSC Factor

Master Chef

Sailaway Party

Beer Festival

MSC Logo Shop

Summary Infuse your cruise with gifts that spark magical memories of your voyage across the waves! Navigate the MSC Logo Shop for everything from gadgets to books and novelty gifts! You’ll also find MSC’s very own DOREMI Mascot right here in the MSC Shop.

Fashion Boutique

Summary Browse the latest collections for men, women and children, plus an array of accessories for all tastes. Enjoy the expert guidance of our staff, here to help you find something for the special people in your life, whatever their age and taste!

Accessories

Duty Free

Photo Shop

Summary Smile! Our professional team of photographers constantly roam the ship, capturing wonderful memories every day. Be sure to stroll through the Photo Gallery daily, so you don’t miss one of their great shots of you and your loved ones enjoying your cruise.

Photo Portrait

Summary A dedicated Studio Photographer will provide you with a unique photo opportunity to capture the special moments of your cruise. During a private consultation you will be presented with the best locations around the ship so you can choose where your photoshoot will take place. Every photo will be taken with top of the line equipment by our highly-skilled, studio photographer using creative lighting techniques. Pictures will be re-touched and edited, and printed on premium photo paper. After your session choose from our different packages and take home lasting memories.

MSC Aurea Spa

Summary

MSC Aurea Spa boasts an exotic interior of natural stone, precious woods and rich mosaics, and is equipped with specific and massage treatment suites. Being pampered by a traditional Balinese Massage is a truly unique experience. Thanks to a blend of scented essences and aromatic oils, your body is enveloped in an endlessly peaceful and relaxing aura.

Power Walking Track

Top 13 Exclusive Solarium

Medi Spa Center

Thermal Area

Beauty Salon

Summary You can enjoy the expertise of highly specialised staff in aesthetic treatments to offer you excellent results and improve the relaxing effects of your cruise. Customize your cruise with the best treatments for your body. Unwind and feel fantastic!

Hair Salon

Minigolf

Gym by TechnoGym®

Basketball

Tennis Court

Baby Club

Summary Our partnership with leading baby care brand Chicco provides a dedicated play area with facilities for babies and toddlers under 3 years old. You can leave your toddlers with our MSC Babycare staff*, or stay with them and enjoy the special Chicco toys and games. They'll love our music and rhythm activities, designed to awaken their curiosity.

Mini Club

Junior Club

Summary The Junior Club inspires connection and cooperation among 7 to 11-year-olds, through a wide variety of activities. Highlights range from Masterchef at Sea Juniors and Dorebro Sport competitions to our Fire & Ice live video game. Do you like acting, dancing or singing? Enjoy the thrill of filming with the Kelly & Kloe On Board Green Screen Experience!

Young Club

Teen Club

MSC Opera Cabins & Suites

Interior

Images

Floorplans

room images carousel

Summary

Surface approx 12-13 sqm, deck 7-10
Relaxing armchair
Bathroom with shower, vanity area and hairdryer
Comfortable double or single beds (on request)*
TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar

*Cabins for guests with disabilities or reduced mobility have single beds only

Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown (within the same cabin category)

The image is representative only

Facilities

King or Twin Configuration
Shower
Toiletries Provided
Room Service Available
TV
Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)
Safe
Hair Dryer
Desk

Ocean View

Images

Floorplans

room images carousel

Summary

Surface approx 12-22 sqm, deck 7-10
Window with sea view
Relaxing armchair
Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer
Comfortable double or single beds (on request)
TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar
Choose the cabin type that best suits you: Premium Ocean view (surface approx 22 sqm, Deck 9) Junior Ocean view (surface approx 12-13 sqm, deck 7-10) Junior Ocean View with obstructed view (surface approx 12-13 sqm, Deck 7)

Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown (within the same cabin category)

The image is representative only

Facilities

Shower
Toiletries Provided
Room Service Available
TV
Wi-Fi (Additional Cost)
Safe
Hair Dryer
Desk
Double or Twin Configuration
Telephone

Balcony

Images

Floorplans

room images carousel

Summary

Surface approx. 13 sqm, Balcony approx 3 sqm, deck 9-10
Sitting area with sofa
Bathroom with shower, vanity area with hairdryer
Comfortable double or single beds (on request)
TV, telephone, Wifi connection available (for a fee), safe and minibar
Choose the cabin type that best suits you: Balcony Aurea (best ship positions, surface approx 13 sqm, deck 9-10) Junior Balcony (surface approx 13 sqm, deck 9-10)

Size, layout and furniture may vary from that shown (within the same cabin category)

The image is representative only