With an overnight stay in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, we had one last full day to enjoy before our cruise came to an end.
Exploring Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Like many of our mornings on board, we started the day slowly before heading off the ship to explore. Rather than venturing to another part of the island for a beach day, we decided to simply wander and take in more of the city — and Santa Cruz de Tenerife did not disappoint.
We made our way along the main streets, lined with shops, cafés, and restaurants, eventually stumbling upon the Mercado Nuestra Señora de África, a bustling market established in 1943. Inside, we found a vibrant mix of local life — fresh produce, meat and seafood vendors, bakeries, and craft stalls. It was full of energy and such a fun place to explore. While there, I couldn’t resist trying an empanada from one of the stalls, and it was absolutely delicious.
Continuing on, we visited the Auditorio de Tenerife Adán Martín, an iconic white concrete structure and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Its unique design made it a really striking place to see in person.
After a full day of walking, we stopped for a quick bite to eat at a nearby restaurant just outside the port area — simple, quick, and exactly what we needed before heading back on board.
Back at the ship, it was time for the part no one looks forward to — packing. We got everything organized and placed our checked bags outside the cabin for collection before getting ready for one final evening on board.
Final Evening on Board
For our last dinner, we returned to the main dining room, and it was the perfect way to end the trip. The menu was excellent — I chose the prime rib while my husband went for a steak, and both were delicious. It felt like a fitting final meal after such a great cruise.
After dinner, we spent the rest of the evening enjoying our final moments on board before heading to bed ahead of an early start the next morning.
Disembarkation Day
Disembarkation day couldn’t have been smoother. We got ready, grabbed a quick breakfast, and then enjoyed one last coffee out on our balcony, taking in the views and soaking up those final moments at sea.
Our meet-up time in the main dining room was 8:15, with cabins needing to be vacated by 8:00 — and we truly used every last second to enjoy that balcony. From there, everything was seamless. We were escorted off the ship, onto our coach, and on our way to the airport with plenty of time before our flight.
From start to finish, the entire process was incredibly well organized and completely stress-free — exactly how you want a travel day to feel.
We enjoyed our cruise with P&O Cruises so much that we’ve already booked our next one. Next up: the Norwegian Fjords aboard P&O Iona this June — and I can’t wait to share all of the incredible scenery and experiences from that trip as well.
If you’ve been following along this series, thank you for being part of the journey — and stay tuned for the next adventure.
Plates n Places 