Travel writer Jo Kessel filmed her journey from Lanzarote to Tenerife on the latest addition to the fleet of French cruise line CroisiEurope – La Belle des Oceans. The footage shows how impressive the 130-passenger ship is despite its boutique size, with a pool, gym and spa where Jo enjoys her first reflexology. The video also features a look at the ship’s gourmet food, complimentary wines and a charming bartender named Jester whipping up an Electric Blue cocktail.
There is a romance about the Canary Islands. Each of the seven main islands of this volcanic archipelago has a different character and their location along the west coast of Morocco makes them feel more tropical than European.
Many cruise itineraries include some of the Canary Islands, but CroisiEurope’s new voyage breaks new ground, stopping at a new island each day.
The ship operating this route is La Belle des Oceans, and while new to Croisi’s fleet, it’s not really new. The ship was built in 1989 and was previously owned by the luxury cruise line Silversea.
As I climbed aboard, I hoped to capture the characters of each island as well as the personality of this beautiful seven-deck ship. The video begins on La Belle des Ocean’s sundecks, both on the upper deck and at the back of the ship, where there is a swimming pool.
Jo Kessel on her seven-night cruise around the Canary Islands aboard French cruise line CroisiEurope, which recently joined their fleet – La Belle des Oceans
La Belle des Oceans was built in 1989 and was previously owned by the luxury cruise line Silversea Cruises
It doesn’t matter that the ship is over 30 years old, it sparkles and shines like new. The cabins are luxuriously appointed and the furniture in mine is decadently oversized, from the bed to the dressing table to the sofa. The film shows me going to the gym and going to the spa to get an appointment – more on that later.
Depending on the week booked, the seven-night journey starts in Lanzarote or Tenerife. Sea and weather conditions also play a role in the itinerary and on the first night we are warned that strong winds may prevent us from stopping at La Palma. Despite a disgruntled murmur, the captain remains steadfast: “Your safety is my priority.”
Croisi offers optional excursions in each port – I join Fuerteventura. It is a deserted island, except for one succulent in abundance: aloe. Known for its healing properties (it’s great for cuts, bruises and burns), it’s the key ingredient in countless lotions and potions. On a visit to a plantation we learn how aloe vera leaves contain an internal sticky substance and in the film I expose the inside of the plant to show what this gel looks like before it ends up in a bath of body lotion. Rub the pure jelly on the armpits and the stickiness will disappear, leaving the skin firm and smooth.
Jo takes a dip in the ship’s outdoor pool. “Be warned, it’s unheated,” she says
Jo says the furniture in her cabin (photo) is “decadently oversized”.
Fuerteventura is famous for its award-winning goat cheese, samples of which are available with a visit to a cheese farm. It comes fresh, smoked or spicy and I try some with a dollop of local cactus jam. It’s a delicious combination.
Most of the time I explore on my own. The images migrate to Lanzarote, where it’s fun to wander around the castles of the capital, Arrecife – one of which is called Castillo de San Jose. It was transformed by local artist Cesar Manrique and is now an art gallery with an impressive roof terrace. The following is a place of R&R on La Gomera. It is one of the archipelago’s lesser-known smaller islands, and its volcanic black-sand beaches are refreshingly peaceful.
It is always a pleasure to return to La Belle des Oceans where drinks – soft drinks or alcohol – are included. Wine is plentiful (think Spanish Riojas and Chardonnays) and there’s even a cocktail menu. Bartender Jester shows off his moves as he prepares a cocktail called “Electric Blue.” Watch the video to see him suck a can of Sprite onto his palm and turn it upside down to pour. Unbelievable! Ditto the exciting blue drink.
There’s never a dull moment on board, from dance lessons to a sunset bow to daredevil dipping a toe in the pool. Be warned it is unheated.
Jo visits an aloe plantation on the island of Fuerteventura
Depending on the week booked, the seven-night journey starts in Lanzarote or Tenerife
The surprises keep coming. I book a reflexology foot massage at the spa and it’s a strange feeling – especially for the jitters among us – when your feet are throwing up to be pricked. Once the tremors are over (it takes a while) I let the masseuse Joana apply pressure to my soles and toes and find it unexpectedly comfortable.
The strong wind that the captain predicted is arriving, which means that we will not stop at La Palma. To compensate, I book adventure walks for our last two ports with a company called Tours by Locals.
Mount Teide on Tenerife is a volcano that last erupted a century ago. With a height of 3,718 m (12,190 ft), it is the highest mountain in Spain. The volcano looms overhead as guide John leads a hike through Teide National Park – a high-altitude desert whose otherworldly, lava-covered landscape has made it the film set for many spaghetti westerns. The film Clash of the Titans (starring Liam Neeson and Ralph Fiennes) was also filmed here.
“I’m booking reflexology at the spa and it’s a strange feeling – especially for the jitters among us – when your feet kick up to be pricked,” reveals Jo
Mount Teide (pictured), Spain’s highest peak, towers above Jo on a guided tour of Tenerife’s Teide National Park
Each dish prepared by the ship’s chef “looks – and tastes – like a work of art,” explains Jo
In Gran Canaria the walk is more difficult. Instead of walking around a volcano, this time we go inside and follow a trail to the bottom of Bandama Crater. It is breathtaking to stand on the ground where a volcano erupted 2000 years ago.
This cruise offers a little bit of everything: beach, culture and adventure, but also gourmet food. Although English is widely spoken on the ships, CroisiEurope is a French cruise line and our chef is French. Every dish he prepares looks – and tastes – like a work of art. At the end of the video, you’ll see a trio of his amazing creations, from pumpkin and shrimp velvet to filet with morel sauce and chocolate mousse cake.
Everything is so nice that while I was very happy with the airline that got me here (my Jet2 outbound flight was as smooth as can be), I’m not ready to go home just yet.
In the end, however, it is the last night and a Canarian folklore group performs in the ship’s lounge. Her final song is a fitting end to the video and journey.
And so the farewell to La Belle des Oceans – Beauty of the Seas – is not only the perfect name for the ship, but also for every Canary Island that is visited.
You can find more information from Jo on her YouTube channel. go with you.
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
