Palma agreement plans three-ship daily cruise limit

The Balearic Government, Palma Town Hall and Cruise Lines International Association have signed a memorandum of understanding that would limit cruise calls in Palma to three ships per day and reduce passenger volumes during the peak summer season.

Under the planned limit, daily cruise passenger numbers would fall from 8,500 to 7,500. That would amount to 30,000 fewer cruise passengers per month.

CLIA Spain director Alfredo Serrano characterized the measure as voluntary self-regulation prompted by concerns about overtourism. He said the final effect on cruise operators could not yet be determined.

Serrano also said Palma’s cruise activity was between 15% and 16% lower than before the pandemic, while other tourism segments had continued to expand. He argued that cruise passengers become part of the broader visitor population after disembarking and suggested that other tourism sectors also bear responsibility for managing visitor numbers.