Even before 2025 has drawn to a close, Alicante is already setting its sights on 2026 as a record year for cruise tourism.
With 105 scheduled calls and around 250,000 passengers expected this year, the port is on track to hit new highs, although those figures are likely to look modest compared with next year’s projections.
The Port Authority has confirmed that 114 calls are already booked for 2026, with passenger numbers expected to exceed 300,000. This would comfortably surpass the record set in 2025, a year boosted by the growing presence of luxury cruise lines.
Even more exciting is the arrival of two new shipping lines next year, which will make Alicante their home port alongside MSC. This expansion promises a significant boost to the local economy, as cruise tourism continues to bring more visitors and spending to the city.
Luis Rodríguez, president of the Port Authority, commented: “We will achieve historic visitor numbers, and in 2025 we are on track to exceed 250,000 cruise passengers.”
Looking ahead, the forecasts are even more optimistic. Rodríguez emphasised the economic benefits for the province, adding that ongoing investment in infrastructure “is key to consolidating Alicante’s growth as a leading destination in the cruise sector.”
