Lisbon Cruise Season 2025 Breaks Records: Passenger Surge Boosts Regional Economy

January 12, 2026
Lisbon Cruise Season 2025 Breaks Records: Passenger Surge Boosts Regional Economy
  • Lisbon’s cruise season in 2025 hit new records, with 206,226 passengers in the turnaround segment, surpassing the prior 2023 record of 204,004.

  • Overall passenger numbers grew more than 2.5% from 2024, and ship calls rose nearly 5% to 331, while crew numbers increased about 2.38%.

  • The port hosted 257,923 crew members in 2025, including 3,488 embarkations, 3,281 disembarkations, and 251,154 crew in transit, underscoring economic activity tied to hospitality and local commerce.

  • Madeira benefited from an average spend of €60.1 per passenger, contributing to an estimated €62+ million impact on the regional economy.

  • APR​AM officials called 2025 results highly satisfactory, crediting organizational work and positioning Porto do Funchal as a European reference port for cruises.

  • Markets shifted, with Canada rising to second place among markets and Portugal recording 19,508 passengers.

  • The APL highlighted Lisbon’s readiness for sustainable growth in Atlantic cruise tourism and its role in regional economic development.

  • The European market remained the leading source of passengers (459,028), with the UK contributing roughly 40% of total; North America strengthened, with the US market share rising from 20% to 23% and Canada up 19% to 39,371 visitors.

  • In the turnaround segment, North America accounted for 43% of total, driven by more port calls from Norwegian Cruise Line and an increase in US passenger numbers from 62,856 to 86,889 as calls grew from 11 to 20.

  • The port logged 22,758 tourist-associated vehicles, including 9,276 taxis, 6,330 buses, 905 rental cars, and 5,744 technical vehicles.

  • Porto do Funchal saw cruises starting or ending there rise by about 41% in 2025.

  • Lisbon hosted 20 ships on maiden calls in 2025, including four built in 2024, with three making inaugural Lisbon voyages.

Summary based on 3 sources


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