The Port of A Coruña will close 2022 as a record-breaking year for the cruise sector, far surpassing the previous high of 184,069 passengers across 121 port calls in 2017. With the arrival of the "Ventura" last Monday, the port has already exceeded 200,000 cruise passengers. This unprecedented figure is still two months away from the end of the year. So far, 120 cruise calls have been received from January to October, with nine more expected in November and eight more in December.
A total of 137 cruise ship calls will be recorded by the end of this fiscal year, a period crucial for assessing the strength of cruise destinations and their capacity to recover after the complete shutdown of activity during the pandemic. A Coruña has passed this test with flying colors, consolidating its position as the leading port in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula, with the best figures in the entire region stretching from Lisbon to France. The impact of this surge on the city's tourism sector is significant, generating a return of more than €15 million and reinforcing cruise traffic as the primary source of international tourism to the city.
The strongest months of 2022 were those of the autumn season, primarily October, with 24 port calls, the best monthly record in the history of the Port of A Coruña. September was also a very productive month, with 21 port calls. These figures highlight the important role of the Port of A Coruña in reducing the seasonality of tourism, extending its reach beyond the summer months.
The Port of A Coruña has also demonstrated its capacity to accommodate large ships, even simultaneously, and manage large passenger flows. Proof of this was the 18 double and four triple port calls scheduled this year. The last of these will take place on November 8th, a day expected to be packed with visitors with the arrival of the impressive cruise ship "Carnival Celebration," chartered this year. Measuring a remarkable 344 meters in length and with a capacity for nearly 5,400 passengers and over 1,700 crew members, it will be arriving on its maiden voyage.
Joining them at the A Coruña docks will be the “Aida Sol,” measuring over 250 meters in length, and the beautiful “Spitsbergen,” an expedition ship that regularly sails the Norwegian coast and other adventure destinations. December highlights include the double call on the 20th, when the Balmoral and the Borealis will both be in port. The elegant “Queen Victoria” will also make its traditional year-end visit, scheduled for the 13th. The successful 2022 calendar will conclude on Christmas Eve with the arrival of the “Ambience.”.
