Arrecife kicked off its cruise season this weekend with the arrival of the MSC Virtuosa, a mega cruise ship carrying 4,500 passengers and over 1,500 crew members. The ship docked at the capital of Lanzarote, contributing to a bustling day in the city as tourists explored shops, which had opened for the public holiday, alongside festivities for the patron saint celebrations of San Ginés.
The MSC Virtuosa spent Saturday in port before continuing its journey to Lisbon later that day. Local officials noted that having two days of sailing after its stop in Arrecife boosts consumption and shopping, as highlighted by studies on the economic impact of cruise tourism in port cities.
Yonathan de León, the mayor of Arrecife and a member of the Board of the Port Authority of Las Palmas, announced that 100 confirmed cruise calls are scheduled from August to December 2026, based on requests from cruise lines for docking at Arrecife’s ports.
Recent statistics from Ports of the State reveal that Arrecife stands out among Canary Islands’ port cities, showing significant growth in the arrival of international passengers. De León stated that this growth underscores Lanzarote’s contributions, accounting for over 30% of the Port Authority’s revenue from cruise activities in the Las Palmas province.
Looking ahead, the MSC Virtuosa will be followed by the Allura on August 31 and the luxurious SH Diana on September 12, coinciding with the Festivity of Dolores. November and December are expected to be busy months, with cruises scheduled to visit on December 31 and January 1, 2027, a rare occurrence for the city during this time of year as operators typically favour other Atlantic destinations.
The Tourism and Commerce Department, led by councillor Eli Merino, is actively promoting Arrecife as the capital for shopping, hospitality, and leisure. Local businesses in the city are increasingly benefiting from the cruise tourism sector, which is particularly vital during the cruise season.
