Cruise Port Guide Part 6 - Tenerife

So are final decision was the island of Tenerife and the port of Santa Cruz, unlike how most people travel to Tenerife we went by ferry from the mainland of Spain. To say I wasn’t particularly looking forward to this crossing would be an understatement! My partner had travelled with the ferry company before and described the vessels as ‘rust buckets’, the crossing itself took 36 hours and would of cost an extra 600 euros to have a cabin so we opted not too! So not only would I be on a rust bucket but have nowhere to get away to and relax, I was full of dread as we approached the vessel.

However on-board I was taken by surprise as there was a plan of the ship on the wall at the reception, a swimming pool, two restaurants, outside bar, lounge with films to name but a few were on-board! Well it proved to be far more of an enjoyable journey that first thought and can only assume it was an old cruise ship due to its facilities and layout.



The port of Santa Cruz is the chosen port by all cruise lines that stop in Tenerife. The capital is full of life and there is much to see and do, from the Opera house (based on the one in Sydney) to the manmade white sand beach (the sand was shipped in from the Sahara). The island is very small and you can drive from one side to the other within one and a half hours so whatever you want to do on this island it is feasible to do it on a day visit.

Of course the most breath-taking of all is Mount Teidi, the highest point of Spain where you can take a cable car right to the top of this active Volcano. Many Hollywood films are shot up here with the most recent being the Clash of the Titans so you make well recognise the unusual landscape.

The cuisine of Tenerife is very different to mainland Spain and even though food is included when you cruise I would recommend stopping for some Tapas. It is rather inexpensive and exquisite, I would recommend Papas Arrugadas, Pimientos de Padron and Queso Frito. Which to translate means, island potatoes, peppers from Padron and fried cheese!