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After the long hot summer we’ve been having, the last thing most of us want is for it to end. While Britain’s sunshine will inevitably start to fade into cooler, grey days, many destinations in southern Europe continue basking in warm temperatures, late-season sunshine, and everything that comes with it – sightseeing, alfresco dining, and even sea swimming.
This means you don’t have to let the summer go just yet. A late-season cruise lets you chase the sunshine a little longer, visiting several destinations in a single trip while enjoying the comfort of unpacking just once.
So where to next? We’ve partnered with Fred. Olsen, one of the world’s longest-established cruise lines, to bring you six sun-soaked holidays worth booking now for late 2026. With more than 175 years of maritime heritage, their smaller ships can reach ports larger vessels often miss, and their carefully curated itineraries take you along the most inspiring routes.
Better still, if you book a selected cruise from now until 30th September, you’ll receive up to £150 free on-board credit per cabin. This can be put towards everything from speciality dining and drinks to spa treatments, shore excursions, and onboard shopping. The offer is available on a range of cruises departing before April 2027, including many winter sun itineraries.
1. Country Hopping from Greece to Tenerife
From ancient Athens to Morocco’s Atlantic coast and the volcanic vistas of Tenerife, this 11-night fly-cruise takes in an impressive array of landscapes – and each stop feels completely different from the last. With flights from London or Manchester and overseas transfers included, everything’s taken care of from the moment you set off.
Begin in Athens, where you can tour the Acropolis before sailing west across the Mediterranean. Along the way, you’ll visit Valletta, Malta’s UNESCO-listed capital; Trapani on Sicily’s quieter west coast; Cartagena, known for its fascinating Roman heritage; and Gibraltar, home to the iconic Rock and its mischievous Barbary macaques. Before the final leg of the journey, you’ll also have time to explore Agadir’s lively souks, fragrant spice markets, and long sandy beaches.
The cruise ends in Tenerife, where it’s usually warm enough to have lunch by the sea, walk the lava fields of Mount Teide, enjoy a refreshing swim, or ride the cable car up to Spain’s highest peak. It’s a scenic final stop on a holiday that packs a huge amount of variety into just 11 nights.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Country-Hopping from Greece to Tenerife*
Trapani - Valletta - Agadir - Cartagena - Gibraltar - Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Piraeus (for Athens)
Spain, Italy, Greece & 4 more | 11 nights | Flights & Transfers Included
£150 on board credit. Half Price Flights. Solo traveller offer available.
Departs from Piraeus (for Athens) on the ship Balmoral.
Departs: 19 Nov 2026
Includes taxes and fees
2. Canaries Escape with the Fleet Fiesta
Beginning in Tenerife and ending in Southampton, this 10-night fly-cruise is a way to trade Britain’s coldest months for balmy Atlantic sunshine. Return flights and overseas transfers are included, and you’ll enjoy the warmth of the Canary Islands, the lush landscapes of Madeira, and Portugal’s most historic cities.
After leaving Tenerife, call at Arrecife, where you can stroll around the lagoon-like Charco de San Ginés, watch fishing boats bob beside whitewashed houses, and sample local dishes like papas arrugadas with mojo sauce. An overnight stay in Funchal gives you time to ride the cable car above the terracotta rooftops, browse the Mercado dos Lavradores, or enjoy a traditional dinner in the old town. The journey ends with calls at Lisbon and Porto, where tiled façades, hilltop viewpoints, and riverside wine lodges provide a fitting finale.
A real highlight comes in Las Palmas, where all three Fred. Olsen ships come together for the Fleet Fiesta. Held on selected sailings, it’s a chance to enjoy live music and entertainment while seeing the fleet gathered side by side…a sight few cruise passengers ever get to experience.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Canaries Escape with the Fleet Fiesta*
Las Palmas - Lisbon - Funchal - Arrecife - Matosinhos - Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Portugal & Canary Islands | 10 nights | Transfers Included
Half price Flight. Half Price Flight. £150 on board credit.
Departs from Santa Cruz de Tenerife on the ship Balmoral.
Departs: 30 Nov 2026
Includes taxes and fees
3. Canary Islands and Geminid Meteor Shower
If you’re looking for winter sunshine with a difference, this 14-night no-fly cruise combines the warmth of the Canaries with one of the year’s most spectacular celestial events. Sailing from Liverpool, there’s no need to fly; simply step on board and head south to Madeira’s green mountain scenery, La Palma’s star-filled skies, and Tenerife’s Atlantic beaches.
One of the most memorable parts of the journey is the stop in La Palma, which is widely regarded as one of the world’s best places for stargazing. Timed to coincide with the peak of the Geminid meteor shower, you’ll have the chance to watch bright meteors streak across the night sky from the ship’s open decks. With very little light pollution out at sea, the conditions are about as good as they get.
The days bring a different kind of beauty. In Madeira, wander through Funchal’s old town, or take the cable car up to Monte for views across the bay; and in La Palma, explore black lava fields, deep ravines, and fragrant pine forests. Tenerife, meanwhile, offers golden and black sand beaches, dolphin-watching excursions, and traditional guachinches serving authentic Canarian cuisine.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Canary Islands & Madeira*
Geminid Meteor Shower - Vigo - Santa Cruz de Tenerife - Matosinhos - Funchal - Santa Cruz de La Palma
Spain, Portugal & Canary Islands | 14 nights
£150 on board credit. Solo traveller offer available.
Departs from Liverpool on the ship Bolette.
Departs: 07 Dec 2026
Includes taxes and fees
4. Cyprus, Turkey, and Egypt Escape
If you’re looking for ancient history and fascinating cultures, as well as the chance to escape to warmer weather, this 10-night fly-cruise could be for you. Beginning in Cyprus and ending in Athens, it includes return flights from London or Manchester and transfers, so you can settle into your holiday from the moment you arrive.
Your journey begins in Limassol, where a modern marina and old town sit within easy reach of the sun-bleached ruins of ancient Kourion. You’ll then sail to Alexandria, from where you can visit some of Egypt’s most iconic sights, including the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The itinerary also calls at Marmaris on Turkey’s stunning southwest coast; why not sip a Turkish coffee on the waterfront before climbing up to the medieval castle for sweeping harbour views?
An overnight stay gives you plenty of time to explore Istanbul. Stroll through the Grand Bazaar, admire the Hagia Sophia, or simply watch ferries cross the Bosphorus between Europe and Asia. The cruise finishes in Athens, where world-class museums, the ancient Acropolis, and the maze-like streets of Plaka await.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Cyprus, Turkey & Egypt Escape*
Istanbul - Marmaris - Alexandria - Piraeus (for Athens) - Limassol
Greece, Turkey, Cyprus & 1 more | 10 nights | Flights & Transfers Included
£25 on board credit per cabin. Solo traveller offer available.
Departs from Limassol on the ship Balmoral.
Departs: 09 Nov 2026
Includes taxes and fees
5. Islands of the Mediterranean with Croatia
Tempted by a longer winter escape? This 23-night no-fly cruise is a leisurely way to explore the Mediterranean. Sailing from Liverpool, it takes in Spain, Italy, Croatia, Montenegro, and Malta before returning to the UK, so you can enjoy nearly a month away without the need to fly.
The itinerary combines some of the Mediterranean’s best-loved destinations with quieter ports that are often overlooked. Visit Cartagena’s remarkable Roman theatre, lose yourself in the narrow lanes of Cagliari’s Castello district, and admire the Baroque beauty of Syracuse in Sicily. Further east, walk Dubrovnik’s ancient city walls, discover Diocletian’s Palace in Split, and sail into the breathtaking Bay of Kotor, where towering mountains plunge into the Adriatic.
Before returning to Liverpool, you’ll also visit Bari, Malta, and Gibraltar, finishing up your trip with three very different destinations. With a good mix of sea days and time ashore, it’s an unhurried way to see some of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful ports.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Islands of the Mediterranean with Croatia*
Cagliari - Gibraltar - Valletta - Bari - Pass Vulcano Island - Ceuta - Split - Cartagena - Kotor - Dubrovnik and 5 more
Spain, Italy, Croatia & 3 more | 23 nights
£150 on board credit. Solo traveller offer available.
Departs from Liverpool on the ship Bolette.
Departs: 29 Oct 2026
Includes taxes and fees
6. Autumn Warmth in the Canary Islands
For a two-week escape, this 14-night no-fly cruise is a lovely way to extend the season. Sailing from Southampton, it heads south to the Canary Islands, stopping in Spain, Madeira, and Portugal along the way.
Stops include Gran Canaria, Tenerife, and the quieter island of La Gomera, offering a chance to experience a different side of the Canaries. Admire the cobbled streets and wooden balconies of San Sebastián, wander through the historic quarter of Vegueta in Las Palmas, or drive through the volcanic landscapes of Teide National Park. In Madeira, follow flower-lined levadas through ancient forest, visit the soaring sea cliffs of Cabo Girão, or spend a day exploring the steep streets of Funchal.
Before returning to Southampton, you’ll also visit Lisbon, with its elegant squares and historic neighbourhoods, and Vigo, the gateway to Galicia, where traditional seafood restaurants line the harbour. With the perfect balance of islands, historic cities, and scenic cruising, this is an easy way to enjoy some extra sunshine before the cold weather takes hold.
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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Autumn Warmth in the Canary Islands*
Funchal - Lisbon - Las Palmas - Santa Cruz de Tenerife - San Sebastian de la Gomera - Vigo
Spain, Portugal & Canary Islands | 14 nights
£100 on board credit per cabin. Solo traveller offer available.
Departs from Southampton on the ship Borealis.
Departs: 25 Oct 2026
Includes taxes and fees
Final thoughts…
Late-season cruises offer far more than a chance to extend your summer. They allow you to see several countries in one trip, savour the slower pace of life at sea, and enjoy the journey rather than rushing to the destination.
With a choice of fly-cruises and no-fly sailings from the UK, the Fred. Olsen range includes options for many different budgets and travel styles. So, whether you’re drawn to La Palma’s star-filled skies, the ancient wonders of Egypt, or the historic cities of the Mediterranean, there’s plenty of winter sunshine waiting for you.
And if you book one of Fred. Olsen’s selected sailings departing before April 2027, you’ll receive up to £150 free on-board credit per cabin – a welcome extra that you can put towards drinks, speciality dining, spa treatments, or shore excursions.