Canary Islands.

When on a Canary Islands cruise it is important to check your itinerary to see which islands you will visit. That said, each has a wealth of highlights.

Tenerife, the biggest island, is dominated by Mt Teide and the Teide National Park. This sometimes snow-capped volcano can be reached by cable car, allowing you to experience the amazing views without the arduous trek. Gran Canaria offers the chance to snorkel off Las Canteras Beach or visit the protected dunes of Maspalomas. In Fuerteventura you can enjoy many beaches to rest and relax, or a boat trip to Lobos Island to see the rare birds that live there. Finally, in Lanzarote, don't miss the opportunity to see the geysers of Timanfaya National Park.

Cruising the Canary Islands offers dry days and pleasant temperatures year-round, but March-May or September-November are the best months to cruise if you hope to avoid the main summer and winter vacation crowds.

Whenever you cruise to the Canary Islands you should pack light layers, beachwear and sun protection. Evenings can be cool, so be sure to take a light jacket or pashmina to keep you warm. The terrain can be rocky and uneven in places, so closed robust shoes will help you to explore comfortably.

Year-round sunshine is a key feature of the Canary Islands. The weather stays fairly consistent with daytime highs of 19-24 degrees Celsius (66-75 degrees Fahrenheit) and around ten hours of sunshine every day.

The Canaries are formed of seven main islands. These include: Tenerife, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, El Hierro and La Gomera.

As part of Spain, the currency throughout the Canary Islands is the euro (EUR).

The native language of the Canary Islands is Canarian Spanish, however English is also widely spoken in the Canaries and many islanders understand German too.

You won't need a visa to visit the Canary Islands if you're a resident of the EU, Schengen member country, Israel, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the United States of America (providing you're remaining in the country less than 90 days).

Residents of other countries should check their visa requirements with the Spanish consulate prior to travel.