Santa Cruz de Tenerife is set to become the focal point of cruise tourism with the docking of 169 vessels from September 5 through to December 31. This influx of ships is expected to bring over 434,000 visitors according to the Port Authority of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
The mayor of the capital, José Manuel Bermúdez, emphasised in a statement the deluge of benefits that this surge of tourists will bring to the city: “In the upcoming weeks, we will witness cruise ship passengers arriving not only to explore our streets but also to spend in our shops and dining establishments, thus instilling a very favourable economic effect.”
The peak cruise season officially kicks off in October, but this year, starting from September, Santa Cruz will welcome several colossal ships including the Britannia, Anthem of the Seas, MSC Virtuosa, Fortune and IONA among others.
‘Anthem of the Seas’
Among the ships listed, the Anthem of the Seas, set to arrive on the Island on September 15, stands out as the most remarkable of them all. It is part of the Quantum class from Royal Caribbean International, renowned for its onboard experiences.
One of the most astonishing features of the Anthem of the Seas is the North Star, a glass observation capsule that elevates to 91 meters (300 feet) above sea level, providing guests with breathtaking panoramic views of the ocean and coastline. This unique aspect has secured its position as the highest observation capsule at sea, almost matching the height of the Statue of Liberty (93 meters).
Furthermore, the vessel boasts the RipCord by iFLY, a skydiving simulator that delivers the sensation of flying in a secure and regulated environment, along with the FlowRider, a surfing pool where guests can experience the thrill of surfing in the heart of the ocean.
The Two70 is another astonishing area, a hall with glass walls that affords 270-degree views during the day, transforming into a digital theatre featuring high-tech performances at night. Lastly, the SeaPlex is the largest leisure area at sea, which includes a ‘crazy cars’ track, roller-skating facilities, and even basketball courts.
