Cruise tourism in Madeira experienced its best year ever in 2024, surpassing the milestone of 700,000 passengers for the first time. A total of 728,604 passengers and 271,974 crew members passed through the Ports of Madeira, setting a new record with a 16.68% increase in passenger traffic and a 12.3% rise in crew numbers.
According to the Madeira Ports Administration (APRAM, SA), the Funchal Cruise Terminal welcomed more than one million people in 2024, including both passengers and crew members.
“It was an outstanding year. For the first time, we reached the historic milestone of 700,000 cruise passengers, whose presence had a multiplying effect on Madeira’s economy, benefiting local commerce, restaurants, tourism activity companies, and many other services,” summarized Paula Cabaço, Chair of APRAM’s Board of Directors, highlighting the increase in overnight ship stays at the Port of Funchal.
Of the 316 ship calls received in 2024 – a 13.26% increase compared to the previous year – 88 included overnight stays. “With more time in port, cruise tourists have greater opportunities to explore the city’s offerings, resulting in a stronger impact on the local economy and benefiting businesses such as restaurants, shops, and cultural and leisure activities,” stated Paula Cabaço.
The year 2024 was also notable for new arrivals, with 23 ships making their inaugural calls at Funchal, six of which were newly launched in the same year. “Of the seven ships introduced by major cruise companies in 2024, six made a stop at the Port of Funchal,” said Paula Cabaço, adding that this growth translated into a direct economic impact of €61.4 million in the regional economy – an increase of 20.3% compared to 2023.
Another key growth area was cruise ship supply operations. In 2024, the Ports of Madeira recorded 73 logistics operations, representing a 73.8% increase over the previous year. This reflects the rising competitiveness of the Port of Funchal and the confidence cruise companies place in the region’s port infrastructure and resources. “Regional companies are the primary beneficiaries of these operations,” noted Paula Cabaço.
All of these achievements, according to the APRAM Chair, were accomplished while maintaining a strong focus on sustainability and minimizing the environmental impact of port activities. “This was also the year our commitment to sustainability, the environment, and energy transition was internationally recognized, as we were awarded the title of Best Cruise Terminal in the World for Sustainability by the World Cruise Awards,” highlighted Paula Cabaço, looking ahead to 2025: “Our forecasts indicate another year of growth.”
