In the first quarter of this year, the Cruise Terminal of the Porto do Funchal handled 335,748 passengers, representing a 24.79% increase 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 the 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 had already been exceptional, which makes these results even more significant,” added the head of the Administração dos Portos da Região Autónoma da Madeira (APRAM, SA), under the supervision of the Secretaria Regional da Economia.
Growth was also recorded in the number of cruise ship calls. Between January and March this year, Madeira received 129 cruise ships – 24 more than in the first three months of 2025. “Again, we are seeing double-digit growth [22.86%], which highlights the importance of Madeira and the Porto do Funchal for cruise lines,” stressed Paula Cabaço on the sidelines of Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, the world’s largest and most influential cruise industry gathering, held from 13 to 16 April at the Miami Beach Convention Center, in the United States.
Madeira has a reinforced presence at the event, exhibiting within the Cruise Portugal pavilion alongside the ports of Leixões, Lisbon, Setúbal, Portimão and Azores, and within the Cruise Atlantic Islands (CAI) pavilion with partners from Canary Islands, Azores and Cape Verde.
“Madeira’s participation in Seatrade is essential to strengthen direct contact with cruise lines and international partners, consolidating strategic relationships that are key to the sector’s growth,” said Paula Cabaço, noting that the Miami event is a privileged platform to promote the destination among the cruise industry’s main decision-makers.
The excellence of the region’s port infrastructure and its commitment to sustainability position Madeira as a highly valuable asset within the global cruise market. “Our goal here is clear: to promote the Region’s ports, reinforce commercial ties with our partners, and create new business opportunities for the Portos da Madeira and for Madeiran companies that work directly with this industry,” concluded the APRAM Chair, who was in Miami accompanied by Commercial Director Patrícia Bairrada.
Seatrade Cruise Global 2026 brings together more than 600 exhibitors and around 80 cruise lines. The Madeiran delegation also includes the shipping agents Blandy Shipping, BC Tours Madeira and DMC Madeira/JFM Shipping.
