This pilot test, lasting more than six months and based in the Port of Las Palmas, guarantees the return of activity this summer in the rest of Spain

Blas Trujillo: “The health protocol, both on board and on land, has worked and has allowed other cruise companies to successfully resume their activity in our islands over these past seven months.”

 

Wybcke Meier: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your support and hospitality during this special season.”

 

Francisco Trujillo: “The commitment of the port community and port authorities to the local economies of each of the islands is a reality that has generated employment in this difficult time.”

The Canary Islands sincerely thank TUI Cruises for its unwavering commitment, in the midst of the pandemic, to the reactivation of cruise traffic in Europe. The pilot program developed in the Canary Islands between November 2020 and June 2021 has become a success story, and its health protocol and experience serve as a basis for other Spanish ports as they prepare for the summer season.

In recent months, 80 itineraries have been developed around the Canary Islands—always within the autonomous community, without visiting ports in other regions or countries—carrying 103,500 passengers. TUI Cruises operated with two ships, the Mein Schiff 1 and the Mein Schiff 2, undertaking 42 of the 80 itineraries offered by all cruise lines (four of which operated during this period).

In terms of passenger numbers, TUI Cruises has served 48,235 cruise passengers out of a total of 103,000, with an average occupancy rate of 45 percent on its ships. This figure is especially relevant given that TUI Cruises' commitment to health and safety led it to make the business decision to sell fewer tickets than permitted by the health protocol (60 percent capacity).

The Canary Islands Government, through its Minister of Health, Blas Trujillo, has thanked TUI Cruises for its entrepreneurial tenacity in successfully completing this pilot program. “It is a positive effort that we in the Canary Islands should reward with modesty and sincerity.”.

“The health protocol, both on board and on land, has worked and has allowed other cruise companies to successfully resume their activity in our islands over these past seven months,” Blas Trujillo pointed out.

The ceremony took place at the Santa Catalina dock in the Port of Las Palmas, TUI Cruises' home port for its Canary Islands itineraries. It was during the Mein Schiff 2's last stop before returning to the Mediterranean for the summer season. Its captain, Tom Roth, received the letter from the Minister of Health and the Director of the Port Authority of Las Palmas (APLP).

Roth shared a message from TUI Cruises CEO Wybcke Meier: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your support and hospitality during this special season.”.

The director of the APLP, Francisco Trujillo, has highlighted the multiplier effect of cruise ship activity on the economies of the towns where it docks, from transporters to tour guides, including the hospitality and retail sectors.

“The commitment of the port community and port authorities to the local economies of each of the islands is a reality that has generated employment in this difficult time,” explained Francisco Trujillo.

Timeline of a success story:
On November 5, 2020, TUI Cruises' flagship 'Mein Schiff 2' began operations, based in Las Palmas. Today, June 10, 2021, it concludes its season and this successful pilot program for Europe.

On December 4, 2020, the ship 'Europa 2', from Hapag-Lloyds, was added to the Canary Islands' domestic routes.

One day later, on December 5, 2020, another of the leading ships in the European cruise circuit, the 'Aida Perla' of Aida Cruises, did the same.

On December 17, 2020, TUI Cruises doubled its offerings after seeing the positive results of the health protocol implemented in the Canary Islands and the demand for its services in Germany. The 'Mein Schiff 1' was added to the fleet that day.

Three days later, on December 20, 2020, Aida Cruises added the ship 'Aida Mar' to its offering.

The latest addition to this atypical winter season was the 'World Voyager' ship, from Mystic-Nicko Cruises.

The end of the season for these ships in the Canary Islands has been planned in stages:

TUI Cruises' 'Mein Schiff 1' ended its season in the Canary Islands on April 29, 2021 to begin cruises in the Baltic.

The 'Europa 2', from Happag-Lloyd Cruises, ended its season in the Canary Islands on May 15, 2021 to begin cruises in Greece.

The 'World Voyager', from Mystic-Nicko Cruises, ended its season in the Canary Islands on May 29, 2021 to position itself in the Azores.

TUI Cruises' 'Mein Schiff 2' ended its season in the Canary Islands today, June 10, 2021, to move to the Western Mediterranean.

The 'Aida Perla', from Aida Cruises, will end its season in the Canary Islands on July 3, 2021 to move to the Western Mediterranean.