Princess Leonor arrives in Tenerife aboard the Juan Sebastián Elcano

The training vessel is set to depart for Gran Canaria this Monday afternoon

Lucia Mora

17 JAN 2025 11:11

Princess Leonor has officially made her arrival in Tenerife. The young royal docked alongside her fellow crew members from the Juan Sebastián Elcano in the Port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife. She will be on the island until Monday afternoon, when she is scheduled to depart for Gran Canaria.

The training ship Juan Sebastián Elcano arrived shortly before nine o’clock in the morning at Los Llanos dock in Santa Cruz deTenerife, just six days after leaving the Bay of Cadiz, heading towards the Archipelago.

Almost a week after the Kings of Spain bid farewell at the port to Princess Leonor, Defence Minister Margaret Robles received a resounding cheer from the citizens who gathered to witness the departure of the XCVII training cruise, during which the heir to the Spanish crown is being educated.

As is customary for the crew upon arrival at port, the Princess approached the railing to greet the crowd that had gathered on the dock.

In preparation for the anticipated arrival of the vessel, the Port Authority arranged for the event, and by early morning, the first eager spectators were beginning to arrive to watch the docking up close.

Activities Planned

Upon setting foot on the island, Captain and Commander of the Juan Sebastián Elcano, Luis Carreras, shared details about some of the activities organised during their stay. “We will undertake social, cultural and institutional visits in the coming days,” he stated, adding that “the sailors will have the freedom to explore the city at each port.”

The crew’s initial land visit will be to the Almeida museum this Friday morning. “We are thrilled to be in Santa Cruz and to visit these islands. Spanish navigators have sailed through these waters for centuries,” Carreras noted.

This marks the 62nd visit of the ship to Santa Cruz, now with 240 individuals on board, including just over 30 women. “We are energised by the spirit of the Canaries before embarking on our ocean journey,” concluded the Captain.