Cruise traffic at the Port of the Bay of Cadiz totals 344 calls in 2025, 11 more than in the same period of the previous year, which represents a growth of 3.3 percent.
The total number of passengers for the year was 624,444, which, compared to 695,171 the previous year, represents a decrease of 10.17 percent. This decrease is due to the increase in Premium or Deluxe, characterized by their smaller size and fewer passengers, although they cater to a more affluent clientele. In 2025, these types of ships accounted for 59 percent of all cruise ship arrivals, compared to 51 percent in 2024.
Consequently, the size of ships arriving in port has also decreased by 10 percent, totaling 25,223,217 units. Meanwhile, the average number of passengers per cruise ship is 1,815, with the Aida Cosma carrying the most passengers at 6,820, followed by the Arvia at 6,381, and in third place, the MSC Virtuosa at 6,063.
The busiest month was April, with a total of 46 stops, followed by September with 38 and May, as the third best month with 29.
As is well known, the economic impact of cruises is particularly significant on the surrounding area. According to the latest study conducted by the Andalusian Regional Government on cruise tourism in the region (2017), the average expenditure per cruise passenger per day in a port of call is €40.60, and can reach up to €200 in the case of a home port.
In this sense, the impact of this activity in 2025 could have reached 25.4 million euros, counting only the spending of cruise passengers and not taking into account that generated by the crew.
As recently announced, the Port of Cadiz Bay currently has 382 cruise ship calls planned for 2026, which include the approximately forty-five stops of the Belle de Cadix.
It is worth noting that, out of 365 days a year, there will be no cruise ships in port on 158 days (43 percent), and only one cruise ship on 118 days. There will be two cruise ships in port on 57 days, and three on 29 days. Finally, only three days are expected to have four cruise ships in port simultaneously.
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