Canary Islands Cruise

The Canary Islands are one of the most important cruise destinations in the Eastern Atlantic. Thanks to their mild climate, which offers pleasant temperatures all year round, the islands are among the most popular destinations for cruise passengers from across Europe, even during the winter months. Every year, hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers call at Canary Islands ports, making the islands an economically significant hub for international maritime traffic.

Tenerife as a central cruise port

The port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the most important cruise port on the island of Tenerife and one of the most visited in the whole of the Canary Islands. The port's modern infrastructure enables it to handle several large cruise ships simultaneously. Renowned cruise lines such as MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises, TUI Cruises and Royal Caribbean call at the port regularly. The proximity of the cruise terminals to the city centre of Santa Cruz makes it particularly easy for passengers to explore the island at their leisure. As well as Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the south of the island also offers berthing facilities for small and medium-sized cruise ships. Its proximity to attractions such as Mount Teide, the historic centre of La Laguna and the beaches in the south of the island makes Tenerife an attractive destination for cruise passengers with limited shore time.

The Canary Islands as part of Atlantic cruise routes

The Canary Islands are an integral part of various Atlantic cruise routes. So-called Canary Islands round trips are particularly common, during which several islands - such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma - are visited in a single voyage. Furthermore, the Canary Islands are often stopovers or final destinations on transatlantic routes between Europe and the Caribbean or South America. The port of Las Palmas on Gran Canaria is the archipelago's second major cruise hub after Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Both ports compete to attract calls from the major cruise lines and are continuously investing in the expansion of their facilities to meet the growing demands of modern cruise ships.

Economic importance of cruise tourism

The cruise sector is of considerable importance to the economy of the Canary Islands. Passengers calling at the islands spend money in local shops, restaurants and with excursion operators. Port authorities, pilots, utility companies and local businesses all benefit equally from every cruise ship call. The Canary Islands Regional Government and the respective island authorities work closely with the port authorities to further enhance the islands' appeal as a cruise destination. At the same time, there is growing debate about the environmental impact of cruise tourism. Issues such as air pollution from ship exhaust fumes, the use of low-emission fuels and the strain placed on port cities by mass tourism are also on the political agenda in the Canary Islands. Shipping companies are responding by deploying liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered vessels and utilising shore power in ports to improve their carbon footprint.

Latest developments and news

The cruise industry in the Canary Islands is developing rapidly. New ships, revised routes, seasonal offers and political decisions regarding port capacity and environmental regulations regularly provide newsworthy material. This page brings together and clearly presents the latest reports, background articles and news items relating to cruises in Tenerife and the Canary Islands.