In a statement, the Port Authority of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (APRAM) highlights that the high season, which took place between 1 September 2024 and 31 May this year, was “exceptional”, highlighting the growth recorded in the number of passengers, crew, stopovers and direct financial impact.

In addition to the number of passengers, which increased from 604,370 to 743,699, there was a 26.71% increase in crew members and a 17.13% increase in the number of stopovers in Funchal and Porto Santo.

In the 2023/2024 season, 254 ships docked in regional ports, while in 2024/2025, 335 docked.

The impact on the regional economy, which in the previous season was around 50.5 million euros, also grew to almost 63 million, according to a study carried out by the Commercial and Industrial Association of Funchal, which establishes the average daily amount spent by each passenger or crew member at 61.40 euros, says APRAM.

Quoted in the statement, the president of APRAM, Paula Cabaço, highlights that this “was by far the best cruise season for the ports of Madeira”, foreseeing yet another “excellent year for the sector”.

“We had already closed 2024 with a record number of passengers and crew - 16.65% more than in 2023 - and this first quarter was also one of growth and the season's figures allow us to foresee another very good year for the cruise industry”, she adds.

“We ended the year growing by double digits [16.68%] and this season we exceeded 20%, when the global market average does not reach 10%”, highlights the head of APRAM.