Canary Islands Christmas & New Year Cruise, December 2025
Christmas is coming aboard the iconic P&O Iona, and we want you to be there! Ideal for travellers who want to do something different this holiday season, our 14-night, accessible and care-supported cruise ensures you can set sail for festive fun and sun.
With port stops in one of Europe’s most exciting and historic capitals, as well as the sun-splashed shores of the Canary Islands, this fully accessible cruise delivers both culture and plenty of opportunities to kick back, relax, and round this year off in style!
With two days in Lisbon, you’ll have time to explore and enjoy the city at your own pace. A memorable Christmas day aboard the ship follows, with decorations, festive menus and seasonally-inspired entertainment on the cards. Then it’s off to the Canary Islands and Madeira to make the most of their year-round sun, before heading for home.
Cruise Aboard P&O Iona
You’ll travel on P&O’s accessible Iona cruise ship, enjoying the luxury, comfort and sensational facilities associated with state-of-the-art cruising. Alongside fully accessible cabins, it features public viewing spaces for 360° vistas, leisure facilities, and endless delicious dining options, ranging from the casual to the contemporary.
Limitless Holiday Support
Cruise with confidence knowing you'll be supported by our friendly team throughout. You can find more information about personalised care plans, specialist equipment assistance, and Group Support and Holiday Assistance in our FAQ section. Limitless Travel Advisors are also always available to help at 0800 711 7232.
What's Included?
Fourteen nights in a fully accessible cabin on P&O’s Iona cruise ship.
Full-Board - includes three main meals, tea and coffee, and breakfast juices.
Group Support and Holiday Assistance - provided by an experienced Limitless Care Team.
Tailored Care Plans - personalised care available for travellers requiring additional assistance.
Six Port Visits - accessible port stops in the Canary Islands, Spain and Portugal.*
Accessible Excursions - vetted accessible excursions and full Limitless onshore support.
Door-to-Door Accessible Transfer - to and from Southampton (first 125 miles).
Check In and Boarding Support - Limitless provides boarding assistance for absolute ease.
Limitless Tour Manager - your ever-present point of contact on-board the Iona.
Personal Travel Advisor - always speak to the same accessible travel expert.
*Limitless Travel selects cruise itineraries with minimal anchor ports but is not responsible for any port changes that may occur while at sea.
Your holiday begins! Whether you’ve made use of the complimentary parking or a Limitless transfer, our team will be there to help you check in your bags and board the Iona. As you’re staying in an accessible cabin, you also benefit from Priority Embarkation. We know check-in and boarding can be a nervous experience for some travellers, so Limitless assists with every aspect. You can learn about our check in and boarding support in greater detail in our FAQs.
Once aboard P&O’s impressive Iona cruise ship, you’ll have a chance to settle into your cabin, explore the ship, and meet your fellow Limitless travellers. The Limitless Care Team is always available to provide support and ensure your holiday gets off to the best possible start.
Your first day of cruising will see the Iona head south. The Limitless Team usually meets with everyone in the morning to catch up over breakfast, make sure it was a comfortable night, discuss the day ahead, and plan activities. We often lunch and dine as a group too, so there's always company.
During days at sea, the Iona offers plenty to do, see and enjoy. Why not relax by the pool in the morning, enjoy a few afternoon cocktails in the Club House, then catch a post-dinner film in the four-screen cinema? It’s entirely up to you. Whatever you choose, our dedicated Care Team is always around to provide support and have a chat. We’re a sociable bunch!
Why not kick the day off with breakfast in bed? Go on, treat yourself. Once you’re up and about, the Iona is your oyster - relax beneath the ship's soaring Skydome, head to the art gallery, enjoy a pamper in the Spa and Wellness Centre, or get involved with any of the many onboard activities on offer.
As always, the Limitless Care team will be by your side whenever you need them.
One of Europe’s trendiest cities and a popular destination for foodies, sun-seekers, history fans and culture vultures alike, Lisbon offers visitors a little bit of everything. Iconic yellow trams rumble through postcard-perfect streets, locals linger over deliciously long alfresco lunches, and melancholic fado music seeps from darkened bars come evening time. Outrageously beautiful and packed full of fascinating sights, sounds and sensations, Lisbon is a one-of-a-kind port stop.
With two days in Lisbon, you have plenty of time to explore the city, visit landmarks and attractions, and sample the local cuisine. So speak to your Tour Manager and get planning!
Christmas Eve in Lisbon ensures you can dive back into the local culture and check out anything you may have missed. As part of the Limitless Lisbon experience, you can join an accessible 90-minute walking tour that takes you from the port to the country’s largest square, Praça do Comércio. Afterwards, you’ll enjoy a private wine-tasting experience and sample the local fish cakes and legendary pastéis de nata - Lisbon’s delightful custard tarts.
Limitless travellers can then explore the local area, grabbing a little more food, shopping, or checking out one of Lisbon’s many historical sites. If you don’t fancy joining the Limitless excursion, Hop-On, Hop-Off buses tour the city, though only one wheelchair spot is available on each vehicle.
As well as boasting a fantastic festive spirit, the ship will be adorned with spectacular Christmas decorations, there will be special dining menus containing your favourite holiday foods, meals and treats, and you can enjoy some unforgettable, seasonally-inspired entertainment.
Limitless travellers tend to absolutely love Christmas Day at sea. Sharing the experience with fellow Limitless travellers lends it a wonderful atmosphere and makes it a day to remember.
Lanzarote’s otherworldly volcanic landscapes have enchanted and amazed visitors for centuries. Famed for its incredible rock formations, black sand beaches and palm-lined promenades, the island is also home to Arrecife, its sleepy capital city with a delightfully chilled approach to life.
On leaving the ship, the Limitless group typically enjoys a relaxed 30-minute walk into the city centre, though accessible transport is also available. There, you can tuck into some tapas in an atmospheric shaded sidestreet, marvel at the local architecture, and enjoy a little wallet-friendly tax-free shopping.
Fuerteventura enjoys spectacular year-round sun and boasts some of the archipelago’s finest beaches. The island is renowned for its rocky, lunar landscapes, unspoilt interior and striking coastline, and is the ideal destination for those who love a little sun, sea and sand.
The cruise ship docks just outside of the island’s capital, Puerto del Rosario. While the town centre is a longer walk away, there is almost immediate access to the excellent Playa Chica (Los Pozos) beach. It is wheelchair accessible and features accessible showers, and there are several bars and restaurants close by, so many Limitless travellers choose to make the most of the opportunity and enjoy a laidback beach day.
Welcome to Tenerife - the largest of the Canary Islands and home to the spectacular Mount Teide volcano and surrounding rock-strewn lunar landscapes. We’ll dock in Santa Cruz, the island’s capital, where you will discover a vibrant beachside city with endless bars and restaurants, and some gorgeous local architecture.
The city is easy to reach from the port and our Limitless group often stops at one of the brilliant beachfront bars on the way to get a light lunch. Tenerife is a dream stop for those who love a little shopping. It’s the port where you’ll get the best prices on items like electronics and perfumes, and is typically cheaper than on the ship. If you’re happy to separate from the group, you can visit the accessible botanical gardens and enjoy the local flora.
Today, we arrive in Gran Canaria, the most densely populated and naturally diverse of the Canary Islands. Spain’s ninth-largest city, Las Palmas is often considered to have the best climate in the world and boasts a vibrant bar and restaurant scene to boot. We’ll dock at the Santa Catalina cruise terminal, which offers easy access to both the city and the nearby Muelle shopping complex.
Together, we’ll explore the city’s old quarter, Vegueta, discovering the iconic Catedral de Santa Ana and stopping for a bite to eat in a relaxed, sun-drenched plaza as we go. We’ll also head over to the Playa de las Canteras - an accessible beach with disabled toilets and beach wheelchairs. If you prefer a full beach day, you can simply head to the Playa de las Canteras as soon as you disembark the ship. If you’re into marine wildlife, you could also visit the Poema del Mar aquarium, which features disabled access and toilets throughout.
Few port stops benefit from such a beautiful on-water approach, so we highly recommend you find a good viewing spot as the ship pulls into the Madeiran port of Funchal. The birthplace of Christiano Ronaldo and a wonderfully tranquil and atmospheric city, Funchal is a pleasure to explore. While much of the city centre is accessible, the steep, narrow lanes leading up and out of the centre are more challenging.
Accessible buses take visitors from the port to the city in just 10 minutes. With plenty of shops, restaurants and street music to enjoy, as well as historic churches and traditional architecture, Funchal is a firm favourite among Limitless travellers. Don’t forget to pick up some famous Madeira wine!
If you’re looking for a good time, the Iona is the place to be. The entertainment is second to none and, whether you want a little light fun in the afternoon or a full-blown evening spectacular, there’s always something to enjoy.
With out-of-this-world aerial shows, full-scale theatre productions, live music, dance and party evenings, stand-up comedy, movies at the four-screen cineplex, interactive game shows and quizzes, to name just a few, there’s never a dull moment on the Iona.
With more than 30 restaurants and bars, the Iona ensures you enjoy a whole host of mouth-watering dining opportunities. From fine dining with menus prepared by the renowned Marco Pierre White to multi-venue piazzas where you’ll find food from a wide range of cuisines, eating out on the Iona is always a delightful and delicious experience.
While the vast majority of the Iona’s restaurants are included in your full-board package, a few venues require diners to pay a small surcharge. These dining experiences often include special dinnertime entertainment or a distinctive menu.
By now, you will have spent a few days exploring the Iona and enjoying the facilities, activities and entertainment. But we guarantee there are still things you’re yet to see, do or find. Have you checked out the onboard art gallery? Stopped by the library to pick up a bit of holiday reading? Taken part in the ever-popular interactive quiz show?
As we make our way back to Southampton, this is a great opportunity to check out those parts of the Iona you’re yet to see or return to your favourite spots. Have a chat with your Tour Manager in the morning and organise the perfect day.
Following your final breakfast aboard the Iona, the Limitless team will assist with check-out. The ship’s crew will take down your bags, and we’ll help you disembark, make sure you reach your pick-up, and say our farewells. Your transfer will then get you home, dropping you off at your front door.
We can’t wait to see you on your next Limitless holiday!
With its state-of-the-art design and unrivalled style, the Iona is rightly regarded as one of the world’s most advanced cruise ships.
At the heart of the ship stands the jaw-dropping SkyDome, a glass-roofed social area that boasts incredible views and connects you with the sea, sky and shoreline. By day, it’s a relaxed poolside area with casual dining and drinking options. By night, it’s a one-of-a-kind entertainment venue where you can enjoy stand-out shows beneath a star-studded sky.
30 bars and restaurants
10 entertainment venues
Four-screen cinema
Live music, theatre and shows
360° public viewing platforms
Spa and wellness facilities
Four swimming pools with hoists
Shops, boutiques and an art gallery
Iona Accessibility
Accessibility on the Iona is exceptional, with step-free access, wheelchair-friendly cabins, wide corridors, and accessible entertainment spaces. Limitless travellers benefit from priority embarkation.
Learn more about the Iona’s accessible cabins in our FAQs.
Transport:
Door-to-Door Transfer Service
Going from home to holiday has never been easier. We'll pick you up in an accessible minibus, transferring you directly to the port where our team will be waiting to assist with check in.
This door-to-door transfer service is included free of charge each way for journeys within 125 miles of the port. For any journeys greater than 125 miles a charge of £3.25 per mile will apply (up to a maximum distance of 250 miles).
Please note, if you live in the following regions: Yorkshire, North East England, Wales, then an additional charge of £200 may be applied to your booking. This is due to our drivers needing to travel the night before to ensure pick up can be completed at the scheduled time on departure day.
FAQs
What’s included in an accessible P&O Iona cabin?
Accessible cabins are available on request. However, they are limited and places sell out quickly. Accessible Outside, Balcony & Mini-Suite Cabins may also be available, though prices will vary. Every accessible cabin features:
Wide access doors
Space for mobility scooters to be stored
Wet room bathrooms with wide door access and grip handles
Air conditioning
TV, fridge and hairdryer
Tea and coffee-making facilities
An equipment hire service is available and includes powered wheelchairs and hoists.
How does Limitless assist with check in and boarding?
Having met the Limitless Team at the port, we'll accompany you to the special assistance check-in. As it's separate from regular check-in, there are no crowds or lengthy queues.
You'll then be given a boarding time. Usually, we board as a group. However, if this isn't possible and you would like the assistance, we ensure a carer accompanies you onto the ship.
We board via the accessible gangway. This ramp connects the ship to the port. If you require support or assistance, both the Limitless Team and the ship's crew will be on hand to help. There are also manual wheelchairs available to make this transfer easier.
On some ships, the accessible gangway can be a little steep. In these instances, two crew members will provide support - one in front and one behind. You'll never be rushed and your safety and comfort are always the priorities.
Remember, you don't need to pre-book any special assistance at the port! We provide this assistance as standard with all Limitless cruises.
What is Limitless Group Support and Holiday Assistance?
Group Support & Holiday Assistance is included as standard with all Limitless holidays. It's what sets us apart from every other UK holiday provider!
This level of support is suitable for those who do not require physical support, but may need a helping hand to make the most of their holiday experience. We provide this assistance in a group setting, so you must be able to support yourself if you intend to leave the group at any point.
What does Group Support & Holiday Assistance include?
✓ Pre-holiday assistance from your Personal Travel Advisor, who will answer any questions you have and provide support with hiring any limited mobility equipment you require.
✓ During your holiday, the Limitless Team will assist you with making the holiday accessible day-to-day, including:
✓ Help with checking in to your hotel
✓ Assistance with luggage
✓ Help with accessing excursions
For more details, speak with a member of the Limitless team on 0800 711 7112.
What can Limitless do if I require additional care and support?
At Limitless, we offer a range of additional care packages if your require a little more assistance. This allows us to tailor care to individual Limitless travellers and ensure your needs are met while on holiday.
They range from our Morning, Evening & Occasional Daytime Care package for travellers who require intermittent assistance with personal care to our One-to-One Care With Hoisting package for travellers who would benefit from comprehensive, all-day care.
We always recommend getting touch with your Personal Travel Advisor to discuss care packages. They are always on hand to answer questions, provide information, and make recommendations about the package they think is most suitable for you. You can contact Limitless on 0800 711 7112.
In addition to this, our care team will also reach out to you three months before your holiday to confirm you have everything you need to travel with complete confidence.
What Limitless Travellers Say
Enjoyable and supportive winter cruise
My husband and I went on a winter Canary Island cruise and loved every minute of it- the whole team of carers were supportive and encouraging every step of the way. Lisbon and Madeira were my favourites ports.
We will definitely go on another cruise with Limitless 👍
