Cruises to Tenerife

421 Reviews
Tenerife (Photo:Tatiana Popova/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Tenerife

Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, is also one of the most scenically stunning islands in the world. Tenerife is about 300 kilometres from the African continent and about 1,300 kilometers from Mainland Spain. It enjoys a steady year-round, spring-like temperature with a yearly average of 23 degrees centigrade. Dominated by the gigantic outline of 12,198 ft.-high Mount Teide, this amazing volcanic island offers a wide variety of landscapes and tourist experiences.

On a cruise to Spain, you might find yourself strolling through a sleepy hillside village in Tenerife, breathing in a lush laurisilva forest consisting of laurel trees and ferns or making your way through the dense foliage of a banana plantation. You can crash on a sunny and golden/black sandy beach or scale a snow-capped mountain, enjoy a gentle round of golf or a fiercely fought game of tennis, shop for local handicrafts or international designer wear, go on a whale and dolphin watching trip all year round, dine the traditional tapas and famous "wrinkled potatoes" with mojo sauce or in a Michelin-starred restaurant - on this most varied of islands, the choice is yours.

Upon reaching Tenerife's main port of Santa Cruz, if your ship parks at the bottom of its U-shaped harbor, you'll face a hot 15-minute walk to reach it all -- unless your cruise company provides a shuttle bus to the port gates. It's worth persisting, though; don't be tempted to stay onboard here however fine your ship ... as Santa Cruz, a historic city founded in the 15th century, is well worth the effort.

Once outside the port gates you'll find a broad and beautiful promenade -- the elaborately named Avenida Maritima -- running right along the seafront; there's broad tree-lined pavement on one side and, across the busy road, a long parade of shops, cafes, restaurants and nightclubs (including one called rather cleverly Klan D Stino!).

The streets running inland from this promenade hold jewellery shops filled with fine silver goods, high street shopping brands, good thing to remember is that the Canary Islands are a low tax area so you will always find good bargain-priced goods that make Tenerife such a popular call.

  • More about Tenerife

  • Why Cruise to Tenerife?

  • Tenerife Cruise Port Facilities?

Loading...

We found you 391 cruises

Loading...
Loading...
Sun Princess will debut in Europe in 2024 (Rendering: Princess Cruises)
Sun Princess
The Piazza aboard Sun Princess (Rendering: Princess Cruises)
Sun Princess
The Dome at Night aboard Sun Princess (Rendering: Princess Cruises)
Sun Princess
Signature Collection Suite aboard Sun Princess (Rendering: Princess Cruises)
Sun Princess
Wake Club aboard Princess Cruises new Sun Princess (Rendering: Princess Cruises)
Sun Princess

16 Nights

Transatlantic Cruise

Port: Southampton • Isle of Portland • Vigo • Madeira • Tenerife • Fort Lauderdale

11 reviews
Sep 23, 2024
Princess Cruises
View All Prices
Cruise Critic Favorite
Marina
Marina
Marina Cabins
Marina
Marina Dining
Marina
Marina Activity/Entertainment
Marina
Marina
Marina

10 Nights

Europe Cruise

Port: Barcelona • Alicante • Malaga • Atlantic Ocean • Las Palmas • Tenerife • Lanzarote • Agadir • +2 more

811 reviews
Nov 5, 2024
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises
View All Prices
Celebrity Infinity (Photo: Celebrity)
Celebrity Infinity
Celebrity Infinity Cabins
Celebrity Infinity
Celebrity Infinity Dining
Celebrity Infinity
Celebrity Infinity Activity/Entertainment
Celebrity Infinity
Celebrity Infinity
Celebrity Infinity

12 Nights

12 Nt Canaries, Morocco & Spain

Port: Barcelona • Lanzarote • Gran Canaria • Tenerife • Casablanca • Tangier • Seville • Malaga • +1 more

1,666 reviews
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
View All Prices
Cruise Critic Favorite

12 Nights

12 Nt Bermuda & Portugal Tranatlantic

Port: Lisbon • Madeira • Tenerife • King's Wharf • Port Canaveral

2,316 reviews
Nov 21, 2024
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
View All Prices

14 Nights

Transatlantic Cruise

Port: Fort Lauderdale • Tenerife • Cartagena • Valencia • Barcelona

11 reviews
Mar 22, 2025
Princess Cruises
View All Prices

11 Nights

Canaries & Portugal Cruise

Port: Southampton • Porto • Lisbon • Gran Canaria • Tenerife • Madeira • La Coruna • Southampton

205 reviews
Oct 12, 2024
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
View All Prices

12 Nights

12 Nt Portugal & Perfect Day Crossing

Port: Port Canaveral • Perfect Day at CocoCay • Tenerife • Lanzarote • Lisbon

2,220 reviews
Oct 25, 2024
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International
View All Prices

25 Nights

Transatlantic Cruise

Port: Barcelona • Palma de Mallorca • Cartagena • Seville • Southampton • Isle of Portland • Vigo • +3 more

11 reviews
Sep 14, 2024
Princess Cruises
View All Prices

12 Nights

Transatlantic Cruise

Port: Tenerife • San Sebastian • Barbados • Antigua • San Juan • Miami

811 reviews
Nov 17, 2025
Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises
View All Prices

11 Nights

Europe - Other

Port: Lisbon • Ponta Delgada • Horta • Madeira • Tenerife • Lanzarote • Agadir • Casablanca • +2 more

2,156 reviews
Oct 23, 2025
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
View All Prices

18 Nights

Africa-south Africa

Port: Cape Town • Walvis Bay • Luanda • Principe Island • Abidjan • Banjul • Dakar • +3 more

3,027 reviews
Mar 12, 2025
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line
View All Prices

21 Nights

Mediterranean Cruise

Port: Rome • Palermo • Barcelona • Valencia • Seville • Tenerife • Barbados • Grenada • San Juan • +1 more

1,311 reviews
Oct 27, 2024
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises
View All Prices

12 Nights

Discover The Canaries

Port: Southampton • La Coruna • Madeira • Lanzarote • Gran Canaria • Tenerife • Lisbon • Southampton

2,871 reviews
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International
View All Prices

17 Nights

Grand Voyage Cruise

Port: Rome • Palma de Mallorca • Casablanca • Tenerife • Bahia de Salvador • Ilheus • +2 more

176 reviews
Oct 22, 2024
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises
View All Prices

16 Nights

16 Nt Transatlantic Spain & Portugal

Port: Barcelona • Palma de Mallorca • Valencia • Cartagena • Malaga • Madeira • Gran Canaria • +2 more

1,492 reviews
Nov 10, 2024
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International
View All Prices

More about Tenerife

Why Cruise to Tenerife?

Pros:

Highest mountain in Spain, Mount Teide, plus breathtaking interior landscape, beautiful climate year-round and best Carnival in Spain

Cons:

The south of the islands suffers from the excesses of mass tourism, and Playa de las Americas should be avoided

Bottom Line:

Stick to the interior and the north of the island, particularly the pretty capital

Tenerife Cruise Port Facilities?

Don't bother; get to the port gates and start exploring ASAP.

Good to Know?

Watch out for heavy traffic as you cross the main promenade.

Getting Around?

By Car: If you're feeling adventurous, there's a Hertz on the La Marina (which runs right from the north end of the Plaza de Espana). Cars cost from around $50 for a day's hire and petrol is not expensive.

By Bus: A big bus station lies on Avenida Tres de Mayo (about a mile along the promenade, heading left from the port gates). From here, a No. 910 bus will take you to the nearest beach, Playa de la Teresitas.

This is a five-mile, 20-minute journey (costing around EUR1.25 euros one way), so allow plenty of time to return. Las Teresitas beach is popular with the locals because of its golden sand and palm trees and also for being a family-friendly spot, as it features a breakwater that protects swimmers from waves and strong currents. A great option when visiting Las Teresitas beach is to combine the dip with a tasty meal in the nearby quiet fishing village of San Andres, featuring a wide range of fish and seafood restaurants.

By Taxi: To go further afield, taxis are available from the port gates and at ranks in the town but do negotiate the price in advance as, beyond the city boundaries, cabs are not metered. The going rate for an hour's tour is from around 25 euros per cab, but do haggle for a good deal.

By Tram: Take the tram (line 1) from the central bus station, and pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage town of La Laguna, an alternative way to experience the sights of Santa Cruz and La Laguna. (40 minutes ride, 21 stops)

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The local currency is the euro. Check www.xe.com or www.oanda.com for the most updated exchange rates. If you've run out of cash and don't want to change money on your ship, don't panic; there are plenty of banks, ATMs and Bureaux de Change along Santa Cruz's waterfront and on its main shopping streets. Hotels will also change cash, but rates vary considerably, so proceed with caution.

Language?

The main language is Spanish, and though many locals have at least a smattering of English, it is worth taking a phrase book along if you plan to explore on your own. Here are some basics to get you started: hola and adios (hello and goodbye); por favor and gracias (please and thank you); cuanto cuesta? (How much?); and, possibly the most useful of all, habla Ingles? (Do you speak English?).

Where You're Docked?

It is rare to find your ship right at the bottom of the U (i.e. the farthest distance from the port gates) without a shuttle bus service being provided (usually for free, but check with your cruise line).


Tenerife Cruise Reviews
Tenerife port also the best, so nice and close to the cityRead More
Emanuella Rada
Love Tenerife. The volcano is great worth a visit. Nice beaches and lush vegetation Read More
Eastboundanddown
Santa Cruz pleasant port visit. Enjoy the main shopping street the African women’s market on the walk along the seafront a few bargains to be had in the local shops.Read More
lifetime cruise fanatic
Very walkable town. Easy to walk to market, auditorium and Palmetto gardens. Take the free shuttle from the ship to port but get off early or there Will be very long lines.Read More
cancruise2

Related Cruises

Cruises to Newport

261 Reviews

Cruises to Amsterdam

1,057 Reviews

Cruises to Rouen

121 Reviews

Cruises to Saint John (New Brunswick)

449 Reviews

Cruises to Kauai

628 Reviews

Cruises to Gdansk (Warsaw)

120 Reviews

Cruises to Marseille

936 Reviews

Cruises to Izmir

187 Reviews

Cruises to Adelaide

106 Reviews

Cruises to Lima

110 Reviews

Cruises to Rangiroa

30 Reviews

Cruises to Labadee

2,137 Reviews

Cruises to Penang

134 Reviews

Cruises to Phuket

149 Reviews

Cruises to Hakodate

26 Reviews

Cruises to Picton

165 Reviews

Cruises to Cinque Terre

355 Reviews

Cruises to Bernkastel-Kues

37 Reviews

Cruises to Kinderdijk

8 Reviews

Cruises to Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve

290 Reviews

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.