Carnival Corporation has sealed a deal with Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife to become the operator of the Canary Islands’ newest cruise terminal.
Opened in 2016, the cruise port is one of the busiest in the Canary Islands and Spain, handling more than 600,000 passengers each year.
It is able to accommodate next-generation “green” cruise ships powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The terminal will welcome AIDAnova – from Carnival Corp’s German AIDA Cruises – which embarks on its maiden voyage later this month as the world’s first cruise ship that can be powered by LNG in port and at sea.
Carnival Corporation manages two other cruise terminals in Spain – the Helix and Palacruceros facilities in Barcelona – as well as ports in Italy, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Turks and Caicos Islands, Honduras and California.
Seven brands from Carnival Corporation – AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn and P&O Cruises UK – make port calls at Tenerife.
Carnival Corporation expects to bring more than 300,000 passenger visits to the port in 2018 – half of all cruise passenger visits – with 130 calls by 31 different ships.
The Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife estimates the cruise market generated an economic impact of €24 million ($27.1 million) in the 2018 cruise season, a year-on-year increase of €6 million.
Giora Israel, senior vice-president of global port and destination development for Carnival Corporation, said: “Tenerife is an extremely popular destination that offers something for everyone – including a storied history, beautiful beaches, exotic gardens, unique crafts and memorable cuisine.”