Which ship opened the season?
The Nieuw Statendam of Holland America Line docked at the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma on 8 October 2026 as the first ship of the season. It was also her first call at this port.
According to Puertos de Tenerife, the ship has capacity for 3,152 passengers and 1,025 crew members. The ship's agent is listed as Miller y Cía., S.A.
The traditional exchange of commemorative plaques took place to mark the first call. Participants included Luz Marina Espiau, head of the commercial department of the port authority, and Jorge Amado, her counterpart in the La Palma port zone.
How many calls are planned?
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife port authority is planning 220 calls at Santa Cruz de La Palma by August 2027. The combined capacity is more than 480,000 cruise passengers, as Puertos de Tenerife reported.
The busiest months are expected to be December 2026 with 48 calls and January 2027 with 33 calls. During these winter months, the presence of cruise passengers in the island capital is at its highest.
For comparison: 235 calls were initially planned for the 2025/26 season. The comparison is only of limited value because the earlier planning ran until June 2026, whereas the new one runs until August 2027.
Which first calls are coming up?
The new season includes 13 first calls at the port of Santa Cruz de La Palma. The Mein Schiff 6 is announced for 24 October 2026.
In November, the Insignia, the Costa Smeralda and the Enchanted Princess are expected to come to La Palma for the first time. The port authority does not name any further first calls in its statement.
What does the season mean for residents and visitors?
The available sources do not mention any new prices, fees, entry requirements, application deadlines, access restrictions or planned closures for residents, foreigners living in La Palma or day visitors.
According to the information available, the season mainly affects the number of expected ship calls and therefore the temporary presence of cruise passengers in Santa Cruz de La Palma. In months with many calls, the city can feel busier.
The port authority stresses that the winter months help to boost the island economy. This includes port activity, services for the ships and spending by cruise passengers on excursions, restaurants, shops and other services.
How binding is the planning?
The port planning is not binding. Ships, times and berths can therefore still be changed or cancelled. Anyone wanting to see or photograph a particular ship should check the details shortly beforehand.
The Santa Cruz de Tenerife port authority presented current cruise data at the international Seatrade Cruise Med trade fair. There it presented the development of cruise traffic in its ports, with more than one and a half million cruise passengers in 2025.
How does La Palma compare?
For June 2026, Santa Cruz de La Palma is reported to have seen a 41.2 percent drop in cruise passengers compared with the same month the previous year. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife the drop was 50.7 percent, while Las Palmas recorded an increase of 33.8 percent.
This is a monthly figure, not a measure of the whole season. The new planning with 220 calls by August 2027 shows the port authority's expectation for the coming months.
The port of Santa Cruz de La Palma is a port of general interest. It belongs to the Autoridad Portuaria de Santa Cruz de Tenerife, which in turn depends on Puertos del Estado.