The Commercial Zone experienced a bustling weekend as 4,500 tourists converged with open shops and festivities celebrating San Ginés.
The MSC Virtuosa docked in Arrecife on Saturday before heading to Lisbon later that evening.
Arrecife’s Mayor, Yonathan de León, who sits on the Board of the Port Authority of Las Palmas, revealed that according to official statistics, 100 cruise calls are confirmed between August and late December 2026, as cruise lines plan to dock at Arrecife ports.
Arrecife has emerged as the only state port city within the Canary Islands to see growth in international cruise passengers, as confirmed by the latest figures from Puertos del Estado released in late July, according to the local council.
Mayor de León noted that this trend highlights the significant role of cruise activity at the Port Authority of Las Palmas, with Lanzarote contributing over 30% of the cruise business across the province’s ports.
The MSC Virtuosa is part of a major cruise line that has established Arrecife as a base port for visits through 2028. On August 31, the cruise ship Allura will join, followed by the ultra-luxurious SH Diana mega yacht on September 12, coinciding with the Festivity of the Dolores.
The local council anticipates a busy November and December, with cruise arrivals expected to peak, including visits on December 31 and January 1, 2027. This is a notable change, as cruise lines typically choose other destinations during this period.
Under the leadership of Councillor Eli Merino, the Tourism and Commerce Department has been actively promoting Arrecife as a shopping, hospitality, and leisure hub, leveraging cruise tourism to support local businesses, especially during the peak cruise season.
