Our two week diary on a P&O cruise around the Canary Islands, Madeira and Lisbon

Follow our travelogue and two week diary on a P&O cruise around the Canary Islands, Madeira and Lisbon.

DAY 1 – Onboard – Our two week diary on a P&O cruise around the Canary Islands, Madeira and Lisbon

We’re back on board P&O’s cruise ship Ventura and couldn’t be happier.

Ventura was the first ever ship we cruised on, we travelled by cruise around Italy and Croatia and fell head over heels for life at sea.

So all of us let out little shrieks today when we came around the corner to see Ventura proudly waiting for us in the dock.

We are so, so happy to be on board. My eight year old is already desperate to get to kids club, my ten-year old wants to go and see what cakes are out at the moment and my little five-year old can’t stop hugging his Ventura teddy.

The champagne is on ice and we are ready to explore everything Ventura has to offer.

We would love it if you followed along our journey, I’ll be posting here every day, with everything we get up to on our days at sea and the port stops as we travel to Madeira, the Canary Islands and Lisbon.

For now, as we’re about to sail out of Southampton we’re going to join the sailing away party up on the top deck.

DAY 2 – At sea – two week diary on a P&O cruise

Our first full day on board and we’ve had such a lovely, relaxing day.

We started off with a huge breakfast in Ventura’s Saffron Restaurant. Pastries, toast and marmalades, hot food (including veggie bacon and veggie sausages), smoothie of the day, grapefruit segments.

We then headed to Deck 6 and the Peninsular Room. This had a family arts and crafts session on where we all got to make ice cream magnets which now adorn our cabin.

Afterwards the children registered at the kids clubs. The youngest two are in together and set about a fun session of more crafts while my ten year old settled down to play battleships with a boy his age he’s just met. Then it was on to the Playstations where the latest games were all ready for them to enjoy.

We had pizza at the Pizzeria for lunch. Later in the afternoon went swimming in the indoor pool as it was a little misty over the Bay of Biscay as we passed through.

Finally we’ve all dressed up in our glad rags for the black tie dinner and I’ve just had the most outstanding cauliflower tikka masala, it really was wonderful.

The kids should be heading off to bed now but have begged us to go to the film night at the Kids Club. And as we’re on holiday we’ve decided to let them as a special treat which might mean Mr GM and I sneak off for a cheeky strawberry daiquiri.

DAY 3 – At sea

Today has been another wonderful day at sea and we have really packed in the activities.

I visited the spa to have a long awaited hair cut. There never seems time at home so it was lovely to take a few minutes away for a cut and wash and time to relax.

Once back at the cabin, as we passed by the top of Spain we suddenly spotted a dozen or more dolphins. Dancing across the water and jumping in to the sea.

It was such a beautiful sight and we all stood together on our balcony to watch the show. Shouting in delight every time one jumped in front of us, it was a really special moment.

Then there was time for swimming and then for the first time ever on a cruise I visited the gym and went for an hour run on the treadmill.

It felt amazing and as I looked out to sea while I ran along it felt so worth it.

We’ve finished the evening at Sindhu, Atul Kochhar’s restaurant on board Ventura. This was full of spicy delights.

We were immediately whisked away to India with gorgeous curries and dhals, the whole family chatting the time away.

It was the perfect way to end our second full day on board Ventura.

DAY 4 – At sea

Another full day at sea.

These days have been so perfect to unwind, spend time relaxing on our balcony and wandering around the ship exploring.

Today we had a special treat as one of P&O’s Food Heroes, Olly Smith is on board and we got to go to a special wine tasting event.

This was great to hear all about wines and the best dishes to pair them with and to hear some of Olly’s tales of life on and off screen.

This evening we’ve had another great meal, the children have asked to go to a class making mocktails so we’re going to head off to hear some live music which was drifting beautifully through the ship as we left dinner.

Tomorrow it all changes as we hit the first of our port stops.

DAY 5 – Madeira – two week diary on a P&O cruise around the Canary Islands, Madeira and Lisbon

We’ve landed in Madeira today, the beautiful Portuguese island filled with charm and colour.

We loved it here after our winter trip to Madeira but it was wonderful to see it all glimmering in the sunshine.

We walked along the harbour front and bought ice creams to eat and sit and people watch while the children played in the grass.

We walked along our favourite little street with all the doors painted by a different artist. And browsed through market stalls in Funchal’s little parks.

Then we headed up the hill to Reid’s Palace. An elegant, beautiful hotel.

We had their cold buffet lunch full of salads and smoked fish and gorgeous desserts. And the children played in the swimming pools there while we lay back on the sun loungers feeling happy and well, looking down on Ventura while we relaxed.

We’re back on board now. Ready to set sail again and can’t wait for tomorrow and our visit to the first of the Canary Islands.

DAY 6 – La Palma

Oh beautiful La Palma, we’ve fallen in love with you on our first port stop of the Canary Islands.

What a sweet, green island. Filled with gorgeous 16th century balconied houses in the Main Street of the capital Santa Cruz.

We walked through the town, popping in to a few shops for a little souvenir shopping. Then we stopped in a lovely little square in the centre for some ice creams.

We explored the naval museum filled with ships logs and figureheads. All set in a reconstructed ship which was the perfect place to clamber around.

We finished off at one of La Palma’s amazing black sand beaches which was quite a spectacle.

The children dug deep into the sand and we paddled in the warm sea water.

We’ve decided this is somewhere we have to come back to. That’s what I love about cruises. Somewhere that wasn’t even on our radar is now a place we can’t wait to return to.

This evening at dinner, as we slowly pulled out of La Palma, a dozen dolphins raced across the top of the sea, speeding past one after another. It was a wonderful sight.

DAY 7 – Tenerife

Today we’ve had a wonderful time in Santa Cruz, Tenerife.

Having never been to the island the visit really did dispel some of my misconceptions about Tenerife. This is an authentic Spanish island city and packed full of character.

We spent lots of time wandering through the African Market. It was huge and full of hustle and bustle, the smell of spices in the hot July air.

We loved walking up and down the stalls. it was full of good humour and so many varied stalls.

Then we visited the main museum in the town. They had a special display of mummified bodies which was suitably grisly for the children who loved it.

Finally we headed to an amazing park just on the edge of Santa Cruz. This had a brilliant kid’s playground. It was also full of different sections including fountains, olive trees, decorative gardens and my favourite the cacti fields.

It was the perfect airy space to spend time, have some more ice cream and soak up this lovely Canary Island way of life.

DAY 8 – Gran Canaria

We spent today in Gran Canaria. This isthe only island in the Canary Islands that I’ve been to before and have really happy memories of.

It was wonderful to take the children back.

We spent most of the day on the beach which is right in the centre of the capital city of Las Palmas.

There were some great playgrounds right on the sand and the sea was beautifully warm.

We popped back to Ventura for lunch as the port is so close to the centre of the city. It was nice to sit down in our cabin for half an hour with a veggie burger.

Then we went on a crazy chase about town looking for a cactus. When I was last here, about 20 years ago, I bought a cactus which lived with me for years until I watered it too much and it suddenly died. I was so upset about it and tried everything to keep it alive. Even taking it to a specialist cacti shop but it was no good, it was too damaged.

So I really wanted to find another and we even caught a bus out of town, an hour before the ship sailed, to try to remember where I bought the original.

Unfortunately it wasn’t to be found.

We stopped off at the supermarket next to the ship, with twenty minutes until sail away to buy a pack of ice lollies to sit on our balcony with and there were packs of mini versions of my cactus. I was so happy. My poor family, they really are brilliant, being dragged all around town looking for a cactus with no complaining, just helping me on the mission to find it.

Tonight my eight year old is desperate to go to the show on board – Paradise City. It’s packed with all the songs and dances she loves so that’s our evening plan.

Tomorrow is the last day in the Canaries and we’re all already sad about that.

DAY 9 – Lanzarote – two week diary on a P&O cruise

Today we stepped out in to Arrecife, Lanzarote.

I don’t quite know what I was expecting from Lanzarote but the beautiful low rise whitewashed buildings with hues of greens and blues definitely wasn’t it. What a gorgeous place.

We walked in from Ventura. Over a little bridge where we stopped to watch the fish darting about in the clear waters below. The sun shining down.

We had such a great time in Arrecife, which is a beautiful town.

We spent a long time at the beach here, paddling in the warm waters and playing in the sand. And we wandered through the centre, picking up lovely pineapple ice lollies.

Then we found the sweetest little side street and El Notario a gorgeous little Spanish tapas restaurant with the loveliest owner.

We sat down to a feast of wonderful pimienta del padron the fried mini Spanish peppers which were so sweet and tasty. And bowlfuls of papas arrugadas con mojo – Canarian potatoes with delicious sauces to dip them in to and tortilla de papas – tortilla with Canarian potatoes.

It was the perfect Spanish meal to eat in the sunshine feeling happy and well.

Lanzarote really stunned us. We were unprepared for this beautiful island so full of character and charm. It is absolutely somewhere we will return to.

DAY 10 – At sea

We’ve had a lovely restful day at sea, sailing past the coast of Morocco. Although it’s never been in sight, instead we have had gorgeous views of sparkling blue seas.

The day has been spent eating ice cream (a bit of a theme of this holiday). P&O have a new brand on board, Jude’s, so we tried it out and all thought it so creamy and delicious. The salted caramel was the favourite.

Ventura has an ice cream bar where you can choose your flavour and then add sprinkles and various toppings. I think we’re going to have to squeeze in another trip before the end of this cruise.

We opted for lunch in the Glass House today and had some of the small plates which was a great way to eat and really tasty.

Then this afternoon on board there’s been a village fete on the top deck of Ventura.

The decking was filled with bunting and there were numerous games including hook-a-duck and guess the weight of the cake.

It was the perfect way to spend an afternoon and with all proceeds going to a Teenage Cancer Charity it felt great to be giving back.

I love that P&O have a whole event dedicated to this charity. We thought it was so much fun, especially with lots of prizes on offer like spa treatments and meals out at the speciality restaurants on board.

Tonight we’re about to get dressed up for a black tie evening. We’re eating out in Marco Pierre White’s Epicurean restaurant which we absolutely can’t wait for.

It’s a restaurant you pay a little more for but they have a great offer of 50% off for any children dining with you. We ate at the Epicurean on Azura and the food was outstanding so we are really looking forward to it.

DAY 11 – Lisbon

Today was our final port stop in the beautiful city of Lisbon.

We’ve been to Lisbon before but never tire of its charm and were all so happy to be returning.

One thing we’ve never done before is to track down the best pastel de nata (Portuguese custard tarts) in the world in the Belem district of the city.

So today after a big Ventura breakfast we headed out of town. Frst on the metro and then one of the city’s trams to this characterful area of Lisbon.

Once there we found Pasteis de Belem, a shop that has been making these custard tarts since 1837. It was easily identified by the huge queue out of the door.

We picked up a box of six and headed to a local park to enjoy them sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. They were SO good.

After a wander through Belem we headed back in to the city centre. Wandering the streets and peering in to old barbers shops, salt fish stands and sweet shops.

It’s such a delightful city, beautiful and just jam packed full of character.

Once back on Ventura we treated the children to iced fruit drinks while we had coffees in the Costa Coffee Shop on board. We all sat and watched the coastline of Portugal as we gently sailed up its shores.

The children are now out with Mr Globalmouse watching a ventriloquist show in the main theatre. And the five year old and I have come back to the cabin to chill and watch the sun set, the hill tops of Portugal still in the distance, lights on the shore gently glowing.

None of us want this adventure to end.

DAY 12 – At sea

Stepping out onto our balcony this morning the sun was beaming down on us. We were ready for a delightful day at sea.

With the warm air and the gently stirring waters below we couldn’t resist taking the time to just relax and soak up the sunny weather. The Spanish coastline just over the horizon.

I was hoping we might catch a glimpse of dolphins one more time on this trip and they didn’t disappoint.

At first they were just shadows under the water’s surface and then gracefully leaping in the waves.

I yelped with joy and the children came running out onto the balcony to watch with me.

My daughter’s swimming has really come on on the last few months so it’s lovely to give them all the chance to enjoy the pools on Ventura.

The Beachcomber has become our favourite pool, with lots of happy children playing and space for us to relax nearby.

We took the opportunity to enjoy Jude’s Ice Creams once again, this time with delicious chocolate dipped waffle cones.

In amongst all the relaxation we took a stroll around the decks and over to the other outdoor pools. Here there was a really fun competition taking place between the entertainment staff and the Headliners theatre team which has brought out a big crowd in the summer sun.

Tonight was our last black tie night. It was lovely to have the chance to get dressed up again.

The food was as outstanding as ever, including Vietnamese spring rolls, pan fried sea bass, jumbo spinach and mushroom ravioli and Tarte aux Pommes with coffee and truffles to finish.

After last night’s show with ventriloquist Gareth Oliver my children were keen to take in another show. They absolutely loved the musical numbers from the Headliners theatre group who were note perfect once again.

We can’t believe tomorrow is our last full day. Our ten year old is already asking whether we could book onto a year long P&O cruise!

DAY 13 – At sea – diary on a P&O cruise

Today we’ve spent a very calm day at sea. And I’m not ashamed to say we have managed a whole lot of relaxing time!

We had a huge veggie fry up for breakfast with all the trimmings and then sat on our balcony in the sunshine. The coast of France just visible.

We had lunch and then headed up to the top deck for one of our favourite games, Shuffleboard.

I love that this traditional game is still played and that the kids love it.

We’re packing our cases this evening so our cabin steward can take them off for us so it’s one last meal and cocktails on deck.

We’re not going to be moping about just yet though as there’s plenty of shows on board this evening that we’ve all earmarked for a last bit of fun.

We loved our time on board and had the best holiday, travelling all around the Canary Islands and exploring Madeira and Lisbon. Find out more about P&O Cruises here and read our ultimate guide to cruising with kids.

Our ultimate guide to cruising with kids                  

Our P&O Cruise around the Canary Islands