Key Aspects:
- The new Las Palmas Cruise Port spans 150,000 square feet over two levels and can handle up to four ships at once.
- Operated by Global Ports Holding, the terminal marks a €40 million investment in Canary Islands cruise infrastructure.
- The new terminal first welcomed the 2,910-passenger Celebrity Apex, operated by Celebrity Cruises, on October 2, 2025.
The Canary Islands is a regular fixture on European cruise itineraries, with passenger traffic from ships increasing rapidly year over year.
With more passengers arriving, Gran Canaria has proudly and officially opened the largest cruise terminal in Europe, welcoming Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Apex during an 11-night cruise as its first vessel to arrive at its new Las Palmas Cruise Port on October 2, 2025.
The 2,910-guest ship’s arrival at Santa Catalina Pier marked the terminal’s operational debut and a milestone for the Canary Islands.
“With this terminal, we strengthen the Canary Islands’ position in the Mid-Atlantic and establish Las Palmas as a key hub for both homeport and transit cruise operations,” said Beatriz Calzada, president of the Las Palmas Port Authority.
The Las Palmas Cruise Port is part of a €40 million modernization plan to upgrade cruise facilities across Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura, and Lanzarote, and is considered a turning point for the island’s maritime industry.
Operated by Global Ports Holding, the largest cruise port operator in the world, the two-level terminal spans 150,694 square feet and features three boarding bridges, with capacity for up to four ships at once.
Beyond the main structure, the development includes an exterior esplanade of over 191,600 square feet of landscaped areas, pedestrian walkways, and a restored palm grove linking the terminal to the city’s waterfront promenade.
The Las Palmas Cruise Port terminal is now open. (Photo Credit: Las Palmas Cruise Port)
The new terminal, which GPH operates in partnership with SEPCAN, a local port services company based in Las Palmas, encourages guests to explore nearby shops and restaurants after disembarkation.
A plaque exchange ceremony took place aboard Celebrity Apex to commemorate the event, and was followed by a tasting of Gran Canarian specialties. The vessel continued its itinerary with a call at the island of Tenerife the following day.
Cruise Arrivals Surge
Cruise tourism in the Canary Islands has grown steadily over the past decade, positioning the archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean as one of Europe’s key year-round cruise destinations.
The islands’ location, mild climate, and proximity to both Europe and Africa have made them a favored stop for ships repositioning between continents, as well as a popular embarkation point for itineraries exploring Atlantic and Mediterranean routes.
According to data from the Las Palmas Port Authority, the port handled 489,714 cruise passengers and over 291 calls following the pandemic in 2022.
Between January and July 2023, Las Palmas alone recorded 854,560 cruise arrivals, a year-on-year increase of 92.9 percent.
Read Also: What is a Transatlantic Cruise and Should You Take One?
In the first half of 2025, the Las Palmas Port Authority reported 1,187,066 cruise passengers across its province, up nearly 25 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
Of those, more than 550,000 were in Gran Cararia. The authority expects over 2 million cruise guests by the end of 2025.
The new terminal will be able to accommodate the growing demand, and was built with sustainable facilities designed to handle the increased traffic while preserving the islands’ environment and cultural heritage.
The design incorporates eco-friendly construction materials, energy-efficient systems, and solar panels to minimize the environmental impact of millions of guests descending up the islands each year.
Appeared first on: Cruisehive.com
