In January 2016 we are going on a week-long Canary Islands cruise. Mein Schiff 4 starts in Gran Canaria, we continue to Agadir in Morocco, then Lanzarote, Tenerife and La Gomera follow before we return to Gran Canaria.
Arrival to the port of Gran Canaria
Shortly before noon we land at the airport of Gran Canaria. We booked our arrival and departure independently of the cruise, so we take care of the transfer to the ship ourselves. The local bus from the airport to Las Palmas to the Muelle Sta. Catalina starts at P1 on the departure level. The journey takes about 30 minutes, the bus stops at Plaza de las Islas Canarias and from there it is about 300 m to the ship. It's all very simple and inexpensive, of course you can also take a taxi.
Mein Schiff 4 in the port of San Sebastian / La Gomera
Check-in is well organized, and the service staff at the check-in counters are competent and friendly. Since the cabins are not yet ready for occupancy, we first eat in the Anckelmann buffet restaurant. There is chaos here, too many people are out and about, there are too few seats, the tables are not clean and the wine is warm. But: The food is great, everything tastes delicious and tasty. It is the day of departure and arrival, and I believe that you have to be lenient.
Our balcony cabin 6055 is beautiful, the slogan of "wellbeing" that will haunt us everywhere during this trip is really appropriate. The cabin has a good layout, enough cupboard space - especially for a week - and the colors harmonize well. The bathroom is also comfortably furnished, but the shower tray is very small.
Mein Schiff 4 - balcony cabin 6055
At the Playa de Las Canteras beach
My ship 4 will not leave Gran Canaria until nine in the evening. Before the obligatory rescue exercise, which incidentally turns out to be very informative, we still have enough time to go ashore. We cross the headland at the cruise terminal in the direction of Parque de Santa Catalina and Playa de Las Canteras, the long, fine sandy city beach of Las Palmas. There we walk in the warm afternoon sun along the promenade to the Auditorio Alfredo Kraus. Always with the sea and the surfers in view, we enjoy this wonderful sunny day in the middle of the German winter. We also do without buses or taxis back.
Las Palmas - Las Canteras Beach
In the evening we eat in the Mediterranean area of the Atlantic restaurant. Everything is delicious again, the selection is really good and the wines by the glass - white, rosé or red - are served individually. The service on the first evening could be improved, but we have often seen this at the beginning of a trip. The Außenalster Bar on deck 14 is very nice, where we end the evening and also experience the sailing.
Mein Schiff 4 - Outer Alster Bar
