Funchal, Madeira, Oct. 7, 2026 (Lusa) - Madeira expects to end 2026 with a new record of 349 cruise ship visits, whilst also surpassing the 800,000-passenger mark in a single year, the Ports Authority (APRAM) announced on Wednesday.

«Our forecasts, taking into account quay bookings up to the end of the year, point to passenger numbers of around 820,000 and close to 350 cruise ship visits (349),» said APRAM's chair, Paula Cabaço, in a statement.

For 2025, the region projected 331 port calls and 746,000 passengers.

Forecasts point to growth of almost 10% in passenger numbers and 5.4% in port calls this year.

«These figures are still provisional, as they may be subject to change by the end of the year, particularly due to weather conditions or any changes to ships' itineraries,» the statement reads.

APRAM indicates that this month alone, 33 port calls and more than 75,000 passengers are expected.

«Everything points to us having one of the best Octobers in recent years, which demonstrates the cruise lines' confidence in Madeira as a destination and is also the result of the work of all those who, every day, contribute to the quality of the experience for our visitors,» emphasised Paula Cabaço.

In another press release, APRAM states that today alone the Port of Funchal welcomed around 10,000 people, who arrived on board the cruise ships Iona and MS Nieuw Statendam, adding that the MSC Virtuosa is due to arrive on Thursday, carrying around 6,500 people.

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