The Porto Cruise Terminal (Port of Leixões) has reaffirmed its position as a leading cruise tourism hub and a major economic driver for Porto & North of Portugal Region after successfully handling eleven consecutive turnaround operations for the TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 6, between July 2 and September 10, 2026.
It was a challenge and a significant logistical effort as it was the largest turnaround operations ever taking place at the Porto Cruise Terminal, accomplished with high efficiency and competence by all teams involved. A total of 54,351 passengers, along with over 10.000 crew members passed by Porto Cruise Terminal during these eleven turnaround calls: 24,387 embarkations, 24,334 disembarkations and 5,630 transit passengers, almost all of German nationality, which is one of the most important source markets at the port nowadays.
The vessel’s port agency and husbandry services were handled by Capasiar Unipessoal, Lda., while Intercruises Shoreside & Port Services was the ground agent managing passenger travel and logistics.
The 2017-built TUI Mein Schiff 6 cruise ship is owned by TUI Cruises and was constructed by Meyer Turku Shipyard (Finland) targeting predominantly the German-speaking market with a premium travel vacation product. She is 295 meters long, 35 meters wide and has a gross tonnage of 99,500. It can accommodate around 2,700 passengers and 1,000 crew members
Over these eleven weeks having Porto Cruise Terminal as her “Home Port”, Mein Schiff 6 followed Atlantic Coast itineraries calling Bilbao, Le Verdon-sur-Mer, La Coruña, Vigo, Gibraltar, Tangier, Cádiz and Lisbon.
These operations clearly reinforce the position of Porto Cruise Terminal as a leading
port for cruise activity and turnaround operations, acting as an important driver and bringing significant economic benefits to Porto & Northern Portugal Region, attracting visitors, generating revenue and reinforcing its reputation as a premium destination.
Most of the almost 50,000 turnaround passengers for these Mein Schiff 6 calls arrived via weekly charter flights from various German cities, specifically to explore the best of Porto and Northern Portugal, uncover authentic experiences, breath-taking landscapes, cultural heritage and the finest gastronomy and directly contributing to the regional economy.
In addition to these 11 turnaround calls, Leixões welcomed another 9 turnaround operations, bringing the total to 20 operations in 2026, which means an increased of 67% in the number of calls and the number os passengers more than doubled compared to previous year. For the President of the Port Authority of Leixões, João Pedro Neves, this growth “demonstrates the growing confidence of cruise lines in the Port of Leixões and reinforces the port’s position as a reference homeport on the European Atlantic coast.”
Looking ahead, 2027 is set to further strengthen the successful partnership between the Porto Cruise Terminal and the prestigious German cruise line, TUI Cruises. Following the 5 turnaround operations successfully hosted in the previous year, Porto Cruise Terminal is scheduled to carry out an additional 6 operations in the coming year, which will involve around 30,000 turnaround passengers, solidifying the port’s position as a premier homeport.
Nochmals vielen Dank, TUI Cruises!
