Cruise ship sector in Portugal grew over 7% in 2025

Portugal’s cruise ship sector grew over 7% in 2025, the year in which 80,000 Portuguese decided to embark on a cruise holiday.

According to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the number of Portuguese who decided to take a cruise for their holidays was up 7.3% in 2025 on 2024 in a sector that supports 9,800 jobs and has an impact on the economy worth €940 million.

CLIA, the largest global cruise industry trade association, has published the latest data on the cruise sector, highlighting a growing demand for cruises in Europe. This growth is driven by the intention of around 90% of passengers to repeat cruise trips and, simultaneously, a growing interest from new travellers.

Nikos Mertzanidis, Executive Director of CLIA Europe, states that “cruise travel serves to discover destinations and create lasting connections.

This year’s report reveals that, globally, around 60% of passengers return to places they have already visited on a trip, extending the benefits of tourism far beyond the journey itself.

Itineraries are planned well in advance and in close coordination with ports and destinations; local economies across Europe are supported by a predictable and highly organised form of tourism,” he adds.

In 2025, 80,000 Portuguese people decided to travel on a cruise, and the most popular destinations were the Mediterranean, followed by the Caribbean/Bahamas/Bermuda.

The average Portuguese passenger is 48 years old and takes cruises lasting 8 days.

In Portugal, cruise tourism has an economic impact of €940 million, contributing €410 million to GDP and generating 9,800 jobs.

Purchases by cruise companies in Portugal constituted the largest part of the sector’s contribution to GDP, with a value of €174 million and representing 42% of the industry’s total GDP impact.

Passenger and crew spending also provided a significant boost to the economy, contributing €150 million through purchases in local businesses.

Supporting local destinations and economies across Europe, by 2025, passenger growth across Europe will once again strongly contribute to local economies through shore activities and extended stays, notably:

64% overnight stays in port cities

70% of passengers participate in shore excursions

Around 60% return to destinations visited for the first time on a cruise.

Source: CLIA; credits: Porto de Lisboa.