Regardless of the angle from which Madeira’s cruise high season is viewed — running from September 1 to May 31 — the conclusion is clear: exceptional. The data fully supports this, with the Ports of Madeira recording remarkable growth during the 2024/25 season: a 23.05% increase in passengers, a 26.71% rise in crew members, and a 17.13% growth in the number of cruise calls to both Funchal and Porto Santo.
In total, 743,699 passengers visited Madeira this season, nearly 140,000 more than the 604,370 recorded during the same period last year. The number of cruise calls also grew significantly, from 254 in 2023/24 to 335 in 2024/25 — a result that reflects the commitment of the Regional Government, through the Regional Secretariat for the Economy, to the cruise sector.
“I would like to congratulate APRAM and all its leadership and staff for the outstanding work that has positioned the Port of Funchal as a leading cruise tourism hub in the Atlantic,” stated José Manuel Rodrigues, Regional Secretary for the Economy.
“This has undoubtedly been the best cruise season ever for the Ports of Madeira, with major increases in passengers, cruise calls and crew members,” emphasized Paula Cabaço, Chair of APRAM – Ports Administration of the Autonomous Region of Madeira. She also expressed optimism for the continued growth of the sector.
“We already closed the 2024 calendar year with record-breaking numbers — up 16.65% compared to 2023 — and the first quarter of this year also showed strong growth. The results of the full season point to another excellent year for the cruise industry in Madeira,” she added.
“We are truly pleased with this performance, which reflects a collaborative effort involving not only APRAM’s teams but also the entire port community: shipping agents, tourism companies, taxi drivers, ship supply businesses… and, of course, the Madeiran people, who are renowned for their hospitality,” said Cabaço. She highlighted that Madeira’s growth far outpaces the global cruise industry average, which is currently enjoying one of its best periods. “We ended the year with double- digit growth [16.68%], and this season we’ve surpassed 20%, while the global market average remains below 10%.”
According to the latest data from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents the world’s major cruise companies, the global cruise industry grew by 9.30% in 2024 in terms of passenger traffic, led by the United States — the main market — with a 13.40% increase. Europe registered a 2.80% growth, while the Mediterranean saw a 5.8% rise.
This impressive growth is also reflected in Madeira’s economy. Based on a study by the Funchal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the average daily spending per cruise passenger or crew member is estimated at €61.40. This translates into a direct economic impact of over €62.8 million — significantly higher than the €50.5 million recorded the previous season.
