MSC Cruises held a breakfast today in the port of Malaga aboard the MSC Virtuosa to present the results of MSC Cruises' 2025 summer season in the city and to preview some of the new features planned for next year.
During 2025, MSC Cruises made a total of 26 port calls in Málaga, a figure that consolidates the city as one of the company's most important ports in the Mediterranean. This volume of operations not only reinforces Málaga's strategic role within MSC Cruises' itineraries but also generates a positive impact on the local economy and tourism, attracting thousands of passengers who enjoy both the cultural richness of the city and the charms of the surrounding province.
“This meeting reflects MSC Cruises’ commitment to Andalusia and, in particular, to Malaga as a strategic port within our Mediterranean itinerary. The city has established itself as a key destination not only for its cultural and tourist appeal, but also as a gateway for passengers to discover the richness of the entire region,” says Sofía Basterra, PR Manager of MSC Cruises Spain.
Among the most popular excursions in 2025, MSC Cruises passengers showed a clear preference for options that combine history, culture, and unique landscapes. A visit to the historic center of Málaga and its cathedral remains the top choice, offering an immersion in the city's rich heritage and allowing travelers to explore its vibrant streets, museums, and squares. Mijas, with its charming Andalusian white village, cobbled streets, and viewpoints overlooking the Mediterranean, is the second most popular excursion, offering the serenity and authenticity of traditional Andalusia. Marbella Pueblo completes the top three thanks to its Mediterranean atmosphere, where art, gastronomy, and local hospitality intertwine in a unique setting.
These choices reflect how cruise passengers diversify their experiences in the province: from the capital to the tranquility and picturesque character of neighboring towns, contributing to a more balanced, sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism model.
Looking ahead to 2026, MSC Cruises maintains its commitment to Malaga, with approximately 25 annual port calls. MSC Cruises anticipates a total of 24 calls in Malaga, 15 of which will originate in the city itself. This reinforces Malaga's position not only as a port of call but also as a port of embarkation, making it easier for a growing number of travelers to begin their cruise experience there, opening up a range of possibilities for exploring not only Malaga but also Andalusia. Furthermore, for Spanish cruise passengers, this represents a significant advantage in terms of connectivity and accessibility. In this regard, direct flights between Malaga and Copenhagen began operating in 2025, a connection that will also be available in 2026, facilitating the arrival of international passengers to the city. In a context where, according to the study III Radiography of the current traveler: preferences and their relationship with MSC Cruises, Andalusia is the autonomous community that has traveled the most by cruise (26.7%, 4 points above the Spanish average of 22.8%); and for their last cruise, 66% of Andalusians chose the Mediterranean as their destination.
Next year will also mark a particularly significant moment: at the end of 2026, the MSC Euribia, one of the most innovative and environmentally advanced ships in the fleet, designed to advance towards a more environmentally friendly shipping model, will arrive in Malaga for the first time. Its call will be a true milestone in the relationship between the company and the city, reinforcing Malaga's role as a leading cruise destination in the Mediterranean.
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