The Port of Alicante is steadily becoming one of the Mediterranean’s key cruise destinations.
Like Alicante-Elche Airport, the Port of Alicante continues to set new records year after year, and 2025 looks set to be no exception.
More than 250,000 cruise passengers are expected to arrive in the city this year, with a goal of reaching 300,000 by 2026. In total, 104 ship calls are scheduled. This is expected to bring an estimated €65 million in economic impact to the local economy through hotels, restaurants, and guided tours.
But every so often, a milestone stands out, and one of those moments will happen this week. Over 9,200 passengers will arrive across five different cruise stops. The biggest event of all will be the arrival of the Allure of the Seas on Tuesday.
One of the world’s largest cruise ships
Owned by Royal Caribbean, the Allure of the Seas is one of the largest cruise ships ever built. It will be making its first-ever stop in Alicante, marking a major occasion for the port and the city.
The ship recently underwent a $100 million refurbishment at the Cádiz shipyards, giving it a new lease of life ahead of the 2025 season. The numbers alone are staggering. There is space for 5,400 guests, three water slides, and 35 restaurants. It also boasts the world’s largest floating amphitheatre, and attractions ranging from an ice rink and laser tag arena to a surf simulator.
Essentially, it is a floating city.
During its ten-hour stay in Alicante, thousands of passengers will step ashore to explore the city’s shops, beaches, and historic sites.
Port of Alicante: Luxury meets mass tourism
While the Allure of the Seas will dominate the skyline, it won’t be the only ship in port that day. Sharing the quay will be the Emerald Sakara, a vessel that represents the other end of the cruise experience. It is small, luxurious, but exclusive.
Carrying just around 100 guests, the Emerald Sakara offers a completely different kind of journey. With only 50 deluxe cabins, most have private balconies. The ship offers a spa and gourmet dining. It caters to travellers seeking privacy and comfort rather than scale.
Together, these two ships capture the contrasting faces of modern cruising. One a symbol of mass tourism and global travel, the other a reflection of slow, high-end exploration.
Both are proof that Alicante’s port is now firmly on the international map.
