PONANT Sailing EC011127 | Nov. 1–11, 2027 | Las Palmas roundtrip | Small-ship luxury with Dean

Where the Atlantic Gets Cinematic

The first thing you notice is the light.

It does not simply land on the Canary Islands. It ricochets. Off black lava, whitewashed villages, banana leaves, sea cliffs, blue harbour water, and the polished railings of Le Champlain as she slips between islands shaped by fire, wind, and old Atlantic stories.

This 10-night sailing is not a “tick the islands off a list” kind of cruise. It is for travellers who like their comfort with a pulse: mornings in volcanic landscapes that look freshly minted by the earth, afternoons wandering colonial streets with balconies carved like lace, evenings back onboard with French polish, open-bar ease, and the smug little joy of unpacking once.

From Gran Canaria to Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Tenerife, Madeira, La Palma, La Gomera, and Puerto de la Estaca, this itinerary threads together the wild, mineral drama of the Canaries with Madeira’s green levada-laced slopes. PONANT describes the route as a journey through volcanic landscapes, lush nature, and cultural heritage, with standout sites including Madeira’s Botanical Garden, its levadas, Santa Cruz de la Palma, Lanzarote’s lunar scenery, and included excursions such as Garajonay and Teide National Parks.

This is the Atlantic in surround sound: lava underfoot, laurel forest overhead, sea salt on your lips, and a ship small enough to feel like a private yacht with a passport.

Quick Facts: Le Champlain Canary Islands & Madeira Cruise

• Voyage: Splendours of the Canaries and authentic Madeira

• Ship: Le Champlain

• Dates: Nov. 1–11, 2027

• Duration: 10 nights onboard, 11 days total

• Route: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria roundtrip

• Group reference: PONANT Sailing EC011127, Group #10866

• Featured group pricing: from USD $5,740 per person, approximately CAD $7,749 per person Group perk: USD $200 onboard credit per person.

• Ship style: intimate PONANT Explorer, 92 staterooms and suites, 184-guest capacity, private-balcony accommodations.

Destination Highlights

1. Lanzarote: Lava Fields, Salt Flats, and the “Did We Just Land on Mars?” Moment

Lanzarote doesn’t ease you in. It makes an entrance. As Le Champlain arrives in Arrecife, the island’s volcanic soul is already waiting: black rock, whitewashed edges, dry Atlantic air, and landscapes that feel sculpted by fire rather than time.

This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve is far more than its pretty capital. Venture beyond the seafront and the island begins to unfold in cinematic layers: the dazzling salt flats of Janubio, the rugged drama of Fire Mountain, the shadowy caves of Los Verdes, and sleepy fishing villages where lunch might mean fresh seafood, a bowl of garbanzos compuestos, or papas arrugadas that taste exactly like the Canary Islands should: simple, salty, sun-warmed, and deeply satisfying.

Insider angle: Everyone talks about Timanfaya, and yes, it is worth the fuss. But do not sleep on the softer edges of Lanzarote: the salt pans at Janubio, the quiet fishing villages, and the island’s César Manrique-style harmony of art, architecture, and geology. It is the kind of place where the “scenic drive” becomes the main event.

2. Madeira: The Garden Island With a Practical New Twist

Madeira is the green exhale after the Canaries’ volcanic theatre. Think steep slopes veined with levadas, old-town Funchal, wild flowers, vineyards, mountain air, and that delicious feeling that the island is growing in every direction at once.

The itinerary gives you a generous Madeira call, with Funchal listed on both Nov. 6 and Nov. 7, giving this sailing more breathing room than a quick “hop off, hop on” visit.

Why it matters right now: Madeira’s official tourism site advises travellers to check the current state of classified walking routes before hiking, as trails may be open, restricted, or inaccessible.  Visit Madeira also notes that in 2026, classified hiking trails generally carry a fee and that booking is mandatory, making advance planning more important for levada lovers.

Insider angle: If you want a levada walk, do not treat it like a spontaneous stroll. Treat it like dinner at the restaurant everyone whispers about. Choose your route, check the trail status, and book ahead.

3. The Western Canaries: La Palma, La Gomera, and the Reward for Going Smaller

This is where the itinerary gets especially interesting. Many Canary Islands cruises orbit the bigger names. This one reaches into the quieter, moodier, deeply textured western islands.

La Palma, known as La Isla Bonita, is described as lush with pine, laurel, and fern, contrasting with the rugged Taburiente crater. The capital, Santa Cruz de La Palma, blends colonial buildings with modern touches, while local shopping can include silver jewellery, leather goods, and embroidered textiles.

La Gomera brings a different kind of magic: laurel forest, ravines, and the feeling of stepping into a green cathedral with bird calls instead of organ music. PONANT’s team specifically names Garajonay National Park as an included-excursion highlight, alongside Teide National Park.

Insider angle: This is the “savvy traveller” part of the sailing. The ports are not just famous, they are layered. La Gomera and La Palma reward travellers who like texture over trophy photos.

Current Consumer Feedback: Real Traveller Pulse

“Timanfaya is breathtaking, but go smart.”

Recent Timanfaya feedback keeps circling the same truth: the volcanic scenery is spectacular and often compared to Mars, but queues can be long, so early timing or a guided coach tour is the clever move. Comfortable shoes and a light jacket are also commonly recommended.

“Madeira’s levadas are gentle adventure done right.”

Recent Madeira levada reviewers praise guide-led walks for being informative, scenic, and manageable for non-advanced hikers. One Nov. 2025 review called the pace ideal, while Oct. 2025 feedback noted green scenery, smallholdings, and mostly level walking after the opening steps.

“Garajonay is the highlight you lace up for.”

A recent La Gomera traveller review from 2025 called Garajonay National Park a highlight and said it was worth putting on hiking boots for the routes, even when fog added a moody cloud-forest atmosphere.

Pro Travel Tips

1. Pack for “Atlantic Layers,” Not Just Island Sunshine

Bring breathable daytime clothes, a light waterproof shell, grippy walking shoes, and one smart-casual layer for evenings onboard. The Canaries can feel sun-warmed and dry at sea level, while Madeira’s levadas and Tenerife’s higher terrain can shift into mist, wind, or damp paths surprisingly quickly. Timanfaya reviewers also specifically recommend comfortable shoes and a light jacket.

Dean’s packing hack: Choose one pair of stylish, broken-in walking shoes that can handle cobblestones, lava viewpoints, and damp forest paths. Your feet will send a thank-you postcard.

2. Use the Madeira Overnight Like a Local, Not a Checklist Tourist

With Funchal appearing across two itinerary days, do the classic highlights early, then use the second window for one deeper experience: a levada walk, wine tasting, market wander, botanical garden visit, or a slow lunch that refuses to apologise for taking two hours.

Timing hack: Book any levada or nature-route experience in advance and check official trail status close to travel. Madeira’s hiking access now requires more planning than it used to.

3. Budget Around What’s Included, Then Spend Where It Sparkles

One of the quiet luxuries of this voyage is how little you need to think about once you're onboard. From the moment you step aboard Le Champlain, the details begin taking care of themselves. Mornings might start with breakfast on your private balcony as another volcanic island emerges on the horizon.

Afternoons are spent exploring charming ports and hidden corners of the Atlantic, often with an included excursion already arranged. Back onboard, perhaps it's a glass of champagne while watching the sunset paint the ocean gold, a leisurely dinner showcasing French gastronomy, or an evening swapping stories with fellow travellers in one of the ship's elegant lounges.

Unlimited Wi-Fi keeps you connected when you want to be, 24-hour room service is there when you don't feel like leaving your suite, gratuities are already covered, and the open bar means that celebratory cocktail never requires a second thought. Even the voyage begins in style, with the Captain's Welcome Cocktail and Gala Dinner setting the tone for the unforgettable days ahead.

Budget hack: Exclusive Ensemble Travel perk - guests receive a USD $200 onboard credit per person, perfect for a spa treatment, a special bottle of wine, or simply adding a little extra sparkle to an already remarkable journey.

Itinerary Snapshot

Why Le Champlain Works for This Journey

Le Champlain is not a floating shopping mall with a horn. She is intimate, polished, and built for travellers who prefer soft-footed luxury over spectacle.

The ship has 92 staterooms and suites, a 184-guest capacity, and a style that compares to a private yacht, with private balconies and elegant accommodations. Onboard, the mood is refined without being stiff: French gastronomy, open-bar ease, quiet lounges, wellness spaces, and enough intimacy that you might actually recognise the people you clink glasses with by day four.

For couples, solo travellers, friends, and chosen family, this is a handsome fit: enough adventure to feel alive, enough comfort to feel cared for, and enough small-ship rhythm to avoid the “lost in a crowd” cruise feeling.

Let’s Get Your Atlantic Escape on the Calendar

This is the kind of sailing that quietly rewards early planners.

Le Champlain is boutique, preferred stateroom categories are finite.  To join this exclusive group departure a 25% of the total cruise fare is due at booking, a second non-refundable payment due on or before Apr. 23, 2027, and final payment due on or before July 30, 2027.

So here is the move: let’s talk through your cabin style, your pace, your must-do shore moments, and whether this is a celebration trip, a soft adventure, a birthday voyage, or simply your “why not now?” Atlantic chapter.

Ready to explore the Canaries and Madeira aboard Le Champlain?

Contact Dean to request current availability, confirm pricing, and reserve your preferred stateroom aboard Le Champlain while group perks remain available. Hold My Stateroom now.

FAQs

Is this a Canary Islands cruise or a Madeira cruise?

Both. This 10-night sailing combines the Canary Islands with Madeira, travelling round-trip from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria aboard Le Champlain from Nov. 1–11, 2027.

What ports are included on this Le Champlain itinerary?

This sailing gives you a beautifully layered taste of the Atlantic islands, beginning and ending in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria. Along the way, Le Champlain calls on Puerto del Rosario in Fuerteventura, Arrecife in Lanzarote, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Funchal in Madeira, Santa Cruz de La Palma, San Sebastián de La Gomera, and Puerto de la Estaca before returning to Las Palmas. It is a lovely mix of volcanic drama, historic harbour towns, lush Madeira landscapes, and quieter Canary Island corners.

What is included in the group cruise fare?

One of the best parts of sailing with PONANT is how easy it all feels. Enjoy leisurely breakfasts overlooking the Atlantic, a glass of champagne at sunset, included shore experiences that bring each destination to life, and the comfort of knowing gratuities, Wi-Fi, port charges, and most beverages are already covered. You'll also receive a USD $200 onboard credit per person to enjoy during the voyage. Add in exceptional dining, evening entertainment, 24-hour room service, and your host Dean travelling alongside the group, and you've got a holiday where the focus stays exactly where it should: on the adventure.

Why choose Le Champlain for the Canary Islands and Madeira?

Le Champlain is a boutique PONANT Explorer ship with 92 staterooms and suites, private balconies, a 184-guest capacity, and a refined yacht-style atmosphere.

What are the best highlights of this itinerary?

Key highlights include Lanzarote’s volcanic landscapes, Madeira’s levadas and botanical scenery, Teide National Park, Garajonay National Park, Santa Cruz de La Palma, and the historic centre of Funchal.

Should travellers book early?

Absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of booking early is securing your preferred stateroom category before availability becomes limited. Le Champlain is an intimate small ship, which means there are far fewer cabins than on a traditional ocean cruise. PONANT also uses dynamic pricing, so as demand increases and inventory decreases, fares typically rise. While we have secured a special group rate for this sailing, those rates are available on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. If this itinerary is calling your name, it's worth exploring your options sooner rather than later. We also strongly recommend travel insurance to help protect your investment and provide peace of mind before and during your journey.

Are you ready to go beyond? Book your PONANT Explorer sailing today. Click here to set up a consultation or to book today.

departuresXdean - an independent agent with Personal Travel Mgmt CPBC #2806, TICO #50025786 proud members of the IGLTA and the Ensemble Travel Group.

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