Madeira forecasts record cruise traffic in 2026
Scheduled bookings point to nearly 350 ship calls and about 820,000 passengers, although the totals remain provisional.
Madeira is projected to end 2026 with a record 349 cruise ship calls and more than 800,000 cruise passengers for the first time in a single year. Paula Cabaço, chair of APRAM, said current forecasts and berth reservations through year-end indicate close to 820,000 passengers and nearly 350 calls.
If those estimates are confirmed, Madeira’s cruise passenger total would rise by almost 10% from 2025, while ship calls would increase by 5.4%. The previous year was already the destination’s strongest for cruise activity, recording 746,000 passengers and 331 calls.
Activity during the month covered by the forecast is expected to contribute to the increase, with 33 cruise calls booked and more than 75,000 passengers anticipated. The annual projections are not final and may change because of weather conditions or revisions to cruise ship itineraries.