Our writer jumped on board P&O Cruises' Britannia ship, sailing to the Canary Islands, Madeira and Portugal – and discovered gourmet delights at every turn
Ever thought about a holiday in the Canary Islands but can't decide which one to visit? We've got you covered. We embarked on P&O's Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands cruise, hopping between several destinations – and it was a memorable experience for any foodie.
This 14-day journey aboard the Britannia takes you to Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Lisbon, Cadiz, La Palma and Madeira. From world-class entertainment to Michelin-starred meals, there's no end of thrilling activities to indulge in on this floating paradise.
Cooking with Marco Pierre White
You might not think a cruise ship is the best place to hone your cooking skills, but P&O's Britannia begs to differ with its dedicated cooking club featuring residencies from top chefs like Marco Pierre White, reports OK!.
We had a go at one of Marco's cooking masterclasses, where he gave an interactive lesson on crafting the perfect risotto. The dish was superb, but his trick of grating an onion instead of chopping was a game-changer!
We also joined one of Marco's hosted dinners on board, where he whipped up a six-course meal before sitting down to share tales over several glasses of wine. With each guest receiving menus hand-written by Marco – it was an unforgettable experience.
The restaurants on board a P&O cruise
Prepare to return home with a full belly. With 27 bars and restaurants, the ship's food options are second to none. The inclusive buffet is open from breakfast until the early hours, serving everything from pies to paella. A personal favourite was The Glass House, offering a tantalising menu of tapas, meat and fish. The wine selection, handpicked by expert Olly Smith, had us returning for more than one glass.
For those craving Indian cuisine, Sindhu restaurant offers an authentic range of high-end curries in a stylish, dimly lit setting.
On our last night, we dined at Britannia's fine dining restaurant, Epicurean. If there's ever a time to dress up, it's when visiting this eatery, which feels more like a Mayfair establishment than a floating restaurant. From steaks to soufflés, this meal will have you opting to take the stairs back to your cabin.
Facilities on board a P&O cruise
When out at sea, sunbathing on the top deck was the ideal way to unwind. Britannia boasts four pools, including the Lido Deck Pool; nestled between an ice-cream bar and a grill, it's a favourite spot for families.
For a more relaxed experience, we spent our days lounging at the Serenity Pool, an adults-only area with a laid-back beach club vibe and its own poolside bar.
Below deck, the Britannia's Oasis Spa and Salon offers a range of treatments including massages, facials, manicures and blow-dries – perfect for getting ready for the ship's black tie evenings. We particularly enjoyed relaxing in our deluxe cabin, complete with spa robes and slippers, a spacious bathroom and The White Company toiletries, offering a luxury experience on board the Britannia. Fancy a glass of bubbly on your private balcony? Why not!
On-board entertainment on a P&O cruise
The Britannia spans 18 decks and part of the fun is getting lost. We discovered plenty of on-board entertainment, from a Strictly Come Dancing dance class to a silent disco. With a packed schedule of activities, there's something to do every hour of the day: pub quizzes, theatre performances, real-life Deal Or No Deal games and an Adele tribute show are just a few examples. You can even catch the football over a pint at the ship's traditional British pub, Brodie's.
What to do on land
You can book tours at each destination, from wine tasting in La Palma to jet skiing in Tenerife. When the Britannia dropped anchor at our first stop of Madeira, we couldn't wait to explore. We took a tour of Funchal, the island's capital city, and saw the city from above on a 15-minute cable car ride up Funchal's rolling hills (not for the faint-hearted). Once we reached the top, it was time for a traditional toboggan ride back down. This is one of the best ways to see the city and had us gripping our wooden carriage tightly. Be prepared for some queuing though – it's a popular one.
Our second stop was La Palma, famous for its black sand beaches. The cobbled streets of Santa Cruz de La Palma, the city centre, are adorned with beautiful balconies and Santa Catalina castle is also worth a visit. We suggest grabbing some beers from the local Spar and heading to the beach or, if you're feeling adventurous, take a self-driven dune buggy tour across the island's volcanic terrain. It's great fun – although you'll still be finding dust on yourself days later...
If guided tours aren't your thing, we also loved just wandering around each location, stocking up on the local delicacies – particularly Portugal's famous pastel de nata pastries.
How to book
P&O Cruises is offering a 14-night cruise on Britannia (B424) from £2,099 per person for an inside cabin (price subject to change). Departing October 4, 2024, the price includes, children’s clubs, full board meals and entertainment. Departing and returning from Southampton, ports of call are Madeira, La Palma, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Cadiz and Lisbon.
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