Two Cruise Ships Could Bring 9,334 Visitors to Tenerife

Two cruise ships could bring as many as 9,334 passengers to Santa Cruz de Tenerife within a short period of each other on October 10. The potential total represents around 14 percent of the maximum passenger volume projected for the entire month, making the overlap one of the most significant dates on the October cruise calendar.

According to the Puertos de Tenerife cruise schedule, Santa Cruz is expected to welcome 23 cruise ships during October, offering combined capacity for up to 67,270 passengers.

However, those calls are spread across only 15 days. This means businesses in the city’s old town, local attractions and other tourism operators are likely to experience several concentrated periods of cruise activity rather than a consistent flow of passengers throughout the month.

MSC Virtuosa is expected to account for the majority of the potential October 10 arrivals, with the ship capable of carrying up to 6,334 passengers.

The figures are based on maximum ship capacities rather than confirmed passenger numbers and do not indicate how many guests will actually disembark in Santa Cruz. However, they provide an indication of the potential scale of cruise traffic on particularly busy days.

The concentration of calls means coordination is likely to be especially important when multiple ships are in port. Transport providers, shore excursion operators, attractions and local businesses can use the cruise schedule to prepare for individual peak dates rather than relying solely on monthly passenger averages.

October traditionally marks the beginning of the Canary Islands’ main cruise season, as European cruise operators move ships and itineraries south for the winter months.

Previous forecasts from Puertos de Tenerife indicated that November would see the highest number of cruise ship calls however, recent passenger figures across the Canary Islands have shown a year-on-year decline, with Tenerife recording the largest decrease among the islands.

Over the longer term, however, Santa Cruz has experienced significant growth in cruise traffic. Annual passenger numbers increased from 817,647 in 2023 to 1,128,345 in 2025.

While that represents considerable growth over the period, it does not cancel out the more recent decline. Similarly, the cruise capacity currently scheduled for October does not by itself demonstrate that passenger numbers are recovering.

Santa Cruz Mayor Jose Manuel Bermudez has previously referred to cruise passengers as “high-value tourists,” pointing to their spending in local shops, restaurants and with tour operators during relatively short visits, without creating additional demand for hotel accommodation.

The October schedule highlights how much of that potential economic activity can be concentrated into individual days. With cruise passengers typically having limited time ashore, efficient transport and convenient access to the city and surrounding attractions can play an important role in maximizing the value of each call.

For businesses relying on cruise tourism, the overall monthly passenger figure therefore tells only part of the story. The timing of individual ship calls, particularly days when thousands of passengers could arrive almost simultaneously, may be just as important.