European cruise tourism growth

Major European ports continue to report significant growth and historical milestones in cruise tourism. In Aberdeen, the Port of Aberdeen is experiencing its busiest season to date, with 75 scheduled calls expected to bring approximately 57,000 guests to the region. This includes the arrival of the Norwegian Star, a 294-meter vessel, which is the longest ship to ever visit the port.

In Portugal, the Port of Portimão has surpassed its previous all-time passenger record of 46,263 set in 2011. Driven by arrivals such as the Norwegian Dawn and the inaugural call of the ultra-luxury vessel Explora III, the port recorded 48,669 passengers across 48 cruise calls in 2026. This growth aligns with the ‘Estratégia Portos 5+’ objectives, and authorities plan to increase ship calls to 117 by 2027.

The Port of Lisbon also reported record-breaking activity in August 2026. The port saw 86,322 cruise passengers, a 23% increase compared to August 2025, surpassing the previous August record of 73,949 set in 2024. Port calls in August also reached a new peak of 33, a 32% increase over the previous year. The turnaround segment experienced a 117% increase in embarkations and disembarkations compared to August 2025. For the first eight months of 2026, the Port of Lisbon recorded 448,037 passengers across 220 calls, representing a 2% overall increase from 2025.

This surge in maritime activity coincides with broader economic trends in Portugal. During July and August 2026, summer consumption saw a 6% increase in the number of operations and a 3% increase in value compared to 2025. According to SIBS Analytics, the leisure sector experienced a 20% rise in transactions, while the restaurant sector saw a 10% increase in operations, driven largely by foreign tourists from France, the United Kingdom, and Spain.