European ports report record cruise tourism growth

Major European ports are reporting significant growth and milestones in the cruise tourism sector. The Port of Aberdeen welcomed the Norwegian Star, a 294-meter vessel, marking the longest ship to ever visit the port. This arrival is part of the port’s busiest cruise season to date, with 75 scheduled calls expected to bring approximately 57,000 guests to the region.

Similarly, the Port of Portimão has broken its all-time passenger record. Following a stopover by the Norwegian Dawn, the port surpassed its previous 2011 record. In 2026, the port has already seen 48,669 passengers across 48 cruise ships, a substantial increase compared to the previous year. Authorities expect passenger traffic to continue rising, with plans to increase ship calls to 117 by 2027.