In the first quarter of this year, the Porto do Funchal cruise terminal served 335,748 passengers, representing an increase of 24.79% compared to the same period last year.
“These are extraordinary figures that motivate us to continue working closely with our partners,” said Paula Cabaço, CEO of Portos da Madeira, noting that 2025 had already been the best year ever for the cruise industry in the region.
“We are talking about double-digit growth compared to a period that was already exceptional, which makes these results even more significant,” added the head of the Administração dos Portos da Região Autónoma da Madeira, which is part of the Regional Secretariat of Economy.
There was also growth in the number of cruise ship calls. Between January and March of this year, Madeira received 129 cruise ships, 24 more than in the first three months of 2025. “Once again, we see double-digit growth (22.86%), which underlines the importance of Madeira and the Port of Funchal for cruise lines,” highlighted Paula Cabaço during Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, held from April 13 to 16 in Miami.
Madeira has a reinforced presence at the event, exhibiting within the Cruise Portugal alongside the ports of Leixões, Lisbon, Setúbal, Portimão and the Azores, as well as in the Cruise Atlantic Islands with partners from the Canary Islands, the Azores and Cape Verde.
The excellence of the region's port infrastructure and its commitment to sustainability position Madeira as a highly valuable asset in the global cruise market. “Our objective here is clear: to promote the region's ports, strengthen trade ties with our partners, and create new business opportunities for Portos da Madeira and for Madeiran companies that work directly with this industry,” concluded the president of APRAM, who was in Miami accompanied by Commercial Director Patrícia Bairrada.
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