The port of Almería is diverging from the positive trend in cruise tourism in Andalusia. During the first six months of 2026, the Almería terminal welcomed 3,561 cruise passengers, representing a 37.3% decrease compared to the same period last year. The number of calls also saw a drop, with 13 cruises by June, 7% fewer than in 2025.
This setback in Almería strongly contrasts with the positive evolution of Andalusian ports as a whole, which have experienced a significant increase in this type of tourism. In total, Andalusia received 512,667 cruise passengers aboard 397 vessels in the first half of the year, a 12% increase in passengers compared to the previous year.
The second vice-president of the Junta and Minister of Tourism, Manuel Gavira, highlighted these figures as evidence of Andalusia's firm progress in consolidating itself as a major cruise destination in the Mediterranean. In June alone, Andalusian ports received 85 cruise ships and over 110,000 passengers, figures representing increases of 27% and 32% respectively compared to June 2025.
The ports of Cádiz and Málaga are leading this growth. Cádiz received 255,170 cruise passengers and 158 ships in the first half, with increases of 21.5% and 12%. Málaga recorded 199,529 passengers and 143 cruises, although with decreases of 5.3% and 3.3% respectively.
The port of Motril registered one of the largest percentage increases, reaching 40,630 cruise passengers (91.6% more) and 26 ships (8.3% more), partly due to the incorporation of Norwegian Cruise Line into its schedule. Traffic in Seville also grew, with 46 calls and 11,635 passengers. At the opposite end is Huelva, with 1,122 cruise passengers and nine ships, a 44.3% decrease.
The 3,561 passengers counted in Almería represent a small fraction of the Andalusian cruise traffic, ranking only ahead of Huelva in terms of passenger numbers. The 37.3% drop means that Almería has lost more than a third of its cruise passengers, while Andalusia as a whole has increased its figures by 12%.
Minister Gavira has argued that the objective should be the economic impact and repeat visits from cruise passengers, beyond just the number of calls. "What is truly important" is the economic impact on shops, restaurants, and other sectors linked to tourism.
The director of the Suncruise association, Esther Molina, highlighted the "generalized growth" in Andalusia and estimated that the average spending per cruise passenger on a call is between 90 and 120 euros, in addition to the consumption by crews.
Molina warns that the passenger profile is becoming "increasingly demanding and diverse," and that the growth in calls relative to passengers suggests an increase in luxury and ultra-luxury ships. Progressive de-seasonalisation is another phenomenon; while spring and autumn remain the most important seasons, good weather and the perception of Andalusia as a safe destination are favouring arrivals during other periods.
The geopolitical situation in the Middle East is also causing a displacement of routes towards destinations considered safer, including the Andalusian coasts and the Sea of Alboran. Molina believes that Andalusian ports are prepared to absorb potential traffic increases, and Gavira emphasizes the strength of having six ports with different capacities and experiences.
