Cruise traffic in Madeira's ports saw significant growth in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2024. The number of passengers increased by 19.64%, and cruise ship calls grew by 36.36%.
“These are very encouraging figures, reflecting the vitality and strength of the cruise sector in the Region, as well as the serious and committed way in which this global industry views Madeira as a cruise destination,” declared Paula Cabaço, President of the Board of Directors of Ports of Madeira.
Last year was already the best on record for cruise tourism in the region, and the first three months of 2025 are proving even more promising. A total of 266,964 passengers passed through the ports of Funchal and Porto Santo (compared to 223,144 in 2024), along with 92,903 crew members (up from 73,541 the previous year). The increase in port calls was even more remarkable, rising from 77 to 105 during the same period.
These figures make this the best start to the year since the beginning of the post-COVID recovery in 2022, when Madeira received 95 cruise ship calls, 95,618 passengers, and 67,798 crew members. In the first quarter of 2023, the region recorded 94 calls, 230,582 passengers, and 86,115 crew members.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with these results. On the one hand, they recognize the work that APRAM and all the stakeholders in the sector have been doing, and on the other hand, they give us even more confidence to continue improving and growing in this highly competitive market,” Cabaço added.
Ports of Madeira participates in the Seatrade event in Miami with two stands: one as part of the Cruise Atlantic Islands (CAI) initiative - which brings together the ports of the Azores, Canary Islands, Cape Verde and Madeira - and another at the Ports of Portugal stand, next to the ports of Lisbon, Leixões, Aveiro, Viana do Castelo, Azores, Figueira da Foz, Setúbal and Sines.
“This is another important moment that reaffirms Madeira as a strategic partner in the global cruise industry,” emphasized Paula Cabaço, accompanied in Miami by the commercial director of Ports of Madeira, Patrícia Bairrada.
“Our main objective here is precisely that: to promote the ports of the Region, strengthen ties with shipping companies that already operate in Madeira and create new business opportunities for local companies in the sector,” said Paula Cabaço.
During the Miami trade show, taking advantage of the presence of all the presidents of the CAI member port authorities, an extraordinary general assembly was held. Discussions focused on the development of the CAI Marketing Plan and the strategic positioning of the CAI brand for the coming years.
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