More than half of the cruise ships that dock in Malaga are luxury ones.

Málaga is establishing itself as a luxury cruise destination at the world's leading fair for this segment, the Seatrade Cruise Global. The event, which took place in Miami and brought together 11,000 professionals from more than 125 countries, over 70 cruise line brands, and 650 exhibitors, including destinations, ports, line operators, equipment manufacturers, shipbuilders, and service providers linked to the industry, is the essential annual meeting for connecting with the main shipping companies and operators in the sector. At this event, the port of Málaga showcased that more than half of the stops it receives are already luxury ships, highlighting its advantage of having a terminal located just meters away and a few minutes from the city's main artery: Larios Street. This proximity of the port to the historic centers of major cities around the world is a rare and privileged position.

In fact, during the meetings held at this fair with operators and shipping companies, which served as a continuation of the commercial action carried out last February in the USA, the recent stopover and christening of the exclusive 'Four Seasons I' vessel were highlighted with the aim of continuing to promote this segment. "As a result of these discussions, the Málaga delegation continues to consolidate its positioning in the international cruise market, reinforcing the confidence of the main shipping companies in the destination," stated the Port Authority, whose president, Carlos Rubio, led the Málaga delegation that also included the Málaga team formed by the Tourism area of the City Council, Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol, the Tourism Council of the Junta de Andalucía, and Málaga Cruise Port, with the support of Fundación Málagaport and Suncruise Andalucía.

According to the Port Authority of Málaga, "participation in Seatrade Cruise Global 2026, along with the actions previously developed in the United States, allows progress in attracting new stops and in boosting base traffic, thus contributing to the sustainable growth of cruise tourism and the economic impact on the city, the province, and the entire region."

215

are the 'premium' cruise stops that the port of Málaga received last year, out of a total of 331 dockings recorded.

For its part, the Málaga City Council values that "during the four days of the fair, meetings were held with representatives of the main international shipping companies and other key agents in the sector, addressing issues such as the scheduling of stops, the possibilities of increasing boarding and disembarking operations in Málaga, and the trends in demand linked to cruise tourism." The event was also an opportunity for the capital of the Costa del Sol to showcase its offerings in terms of culture, events, gastronomy, and specialized tourist products.

Furthermore, the managing director of Tourism Costa del Sol, Antonio Díaz, emphasizes that "participation in Seatrade Cruise Global has allowed us to strengthen relationships with the main shipping companies and continue positioning Costa del Sol as a competitive and attractive destination internationally." He adds that "the coordinated work between the different entities has been key to presenting a solid offer adapted to the demands of the sector."

It is worth noting that the port of Málaga closed in 2025 the best year for cruises in the last fifteen years. Specifically, it saw a 21% increase in the arrival of cruisers, surpassing 570,000, 40% of whom landed in the capital on ships considered luxury, confirming the success of the strategy of the Málaga Port Authority aimed at positioning itself on the world map of 'premium' cruises that attracts smaller ships, with fewer cruisers, but with a higher spending capacity at the destination.

The data from the Málaga Port Authority indicates that a total of 215 cruises that docked last year, out of the 331 total stops, are within this 'premium' segment. These ships carried almost 220,000 passengers, with November and June being the months that saw the highest activity of this more exclusive visitor, with about 34,513 and 32,392 travelers, respectively. The Port explains "that this is the central strategy along with advancing in stops with a home port. Growing in luxury cruises is more sustainable and generates higher incomes in the destinations because the passenger has a higher purchasing power."