A new milestone for Madeira: the Port of Funchal reached 700,000 cruise passengers this Monday, setting a record that far exceeds the previous high of 624,000 passengers recorded last year. This historic achievement was marked by the arrival of a passenger from the AIDACOSMA, which docked in Funchal this morning after departing from Gran Canaria.
This significant milestone highlights the growing interest of the cruise industry in the region. The occasion was celebrated by Paulo Falé, the Director of Port Operations and Security at the Administration of Ports of Madeira (APRAM, SA), and Patrícia Bairrada, the Commercial Director, who presented the passenger with a commemorative plaque and a basket of regional products.
The 700,000th passenger, a German national, arrived in Madeira on a family trip spanning three generations: grandparents, parents, and children. This was their second visit to the islands, and they were pleasantly surprised by the historic recognition.
In 2023, Madeira welcomed 279 ship calls, ending the year with a record-breaking number of passengers: 624,400, along with 241,995 crew members.
This year, the Port of Funchal was honored with the award for Best Cruise Terminal in the World for Sustainability by the World Cruise Awards. In the previous two years, 2022 and 2023, Madeira had already been recognized by the so-called “Cruise Oscars” as Europe’s Best Cruise Destination.
