The Canary Islands are back on the map.
Well, I suppose you could argue that they never left the map, unless who ever drew it forgot to add them. But apologies I digress.
When it comes to cruises, The Canary Islands are on the map!
Quite often, I will get a call from a customer, wanting to sail around The Canary Islands, but rather than sailing from Southampton, or Barcelona, they want to sail from one of the Islands. To do this, generally you are looking at cruising with Marella Cruises (formally TUI and Thomson Cruises), who have the monopoly on sailing to The Canaries, from The Canaries. Yes there are a few other lines that drop in occasionally to these islands, but not as many as you would think.
This is why, this week, I was excited to read that the Carnival Corporation (who own the likes of AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, and P&O Cruises UK) have agreed to part fund a new cruise terminal on the island of Tenerife. And through their brands they hope to bring an additional 300,000 guests to the Canary Islands each year starting next year in 2019.
This can only be a good thing for cruises. A new terminal, will mean that larger ships can home port here and will bring some much needed choice back to these islands for cruises. As I have to admit, they have been neglected by a lot of lines for the last few years. Especially in the winter, when these Islands are one of a few short haul destinations still warm enough to attract you.
Let me know your thoughts. Do you love the Canary Islands, and will you be happy to see more cruises visit and dock here?