MSC Virtuosa Canary Island Cruise Port Review

A few months back I took a 12 night cruise from Southampton to the Canary Islands. It's taken a while, but here's my review of the ports we visited. I don't intend to offer a comprehensive tour of the ports, but to give you some logistical information about them and to share my impressions from a visit.
And I know its not a ferret shop...
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⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
0:51 - Lisbon
2:36 - Funchal
4:53 - Las Palmas de Gran Canaria
6:11 - Santa Cruz de Tenerife
7:53 - Arrecife de Lanzarote
8:53 - Vigo
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[@steve-marsh]

I love these videos, super helpful to new cruisers looking to get the true impression of what port days will really be like away from the glossy brochures. And your Spanish is pretty good - I'd just say it's Gran Can'ah'ria rather than Gran Can'ay'ria. The beauty of Spanish is that all vowels are always pronounced the same (with rare exception). I won't comment on Portuguese though, which sounds lovely but I wouldn't even TRY!

[@MattsOceans]

Cheers Steve. Portuguese is an odd sounding language - I always think its a bit of a marginal language until I'm reminded its the most spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere.... Mandarin is apparently the most spoken in the Northern hemisphere which puts English firmly in its place!!!!

[@70PaulK]

Looks like a good itinerary. I went to Lisbon last spring, but our ship docked in a smaller terminal, quite a way from the main centre, so hope to try it again.

[@MattsOceans]

Lisbon is fun! There again next month and looking forward to it!

[@colinwalker9583]

Excellent video as usual.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks!

[@basemmohamed7323]

Thanks dear from Bahrain 🇧🇭

[@MattsOceans]

You are very welcome!

[@richardpym5346]

Hi Matt. I’m a cruise virgin but am put off by the tipping and gratuity issues. Can you put together a video that explains this and illustrates any differences between cruise lines.

[@MattsOceans]

Thanks Richard.... Americans do tend to get carried away with tipping and most cruise lines are American so its a frequently raised topic in cruise circles!!! Not a bad idea for a video actually thanks.... In the interim, I'm British and hate tipping so I prepay gratuities and consider it to just be part of the fare. The cruise line then takes care of how that tip is distributed. Then when I'm on board, I am really stingy, mostly as tipping doesn't usually occur to me as its so uncommon in the UK. It's not a bad idea to tip a few bucks early on in your favourite bar with your favourite barman as that can generate a positive return over the rest of the cruise... And if you develop a relationship with your cabin attendant, a few dollars a day is much appreciated. But on P&O and I think also Cunard (also British) - no tipping is needed aboard at all. Hope that gives you an idea - its not something to be too worried about - crew members don't hover with their hand out in the way the movies would have you believe bellmen do in US hotels!

[@waynebarlow8361]

Marella, Virgin and MSC also include gratuities

[@johnod1979]

Hi Matt, great review (as always), any plans to try Virgin Voyages?

[@MattsOceans]

I have spoken to them actually.... They are certainly on the to-do list - I fear I'm not cool enough for them but that's exactly the sort of customer they should have aboard to review them!

[@Northwestie43]

Interesting, like the top tip for Vigo to avoid some of the incline.

[@MattsOceans]

Lift up - slope down!