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Record number of cruise calls in Lisbon last season

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The Port of Lisbon recorded 327 cruise calls in 2019 - an increase of 5.5%, compared to 2019
The Port of Lisbon saw a 40% increase in the number of cruise ships last season and more than a 20% rise in the number of passengers resulting from turnaround calls.

There were 103 turnarounds in total involving 88,292 passengers. A spokesperson for the MedCruise member port noted, ‘Compared to 2019, these numbers represent growths of 43% in port calls and 21% in the number of passengers,’ demonstrating ‘the interest by cruise operators to embark and disembark their ships’ at the port.

Economic impact 

A passenger embarking in the city spends an average of €367 in the capital, according to a study of the economic impact of cruise activity in Lisbon carried out by Netsonda and Nova SBE in partnership with Lisbon Cruise Port.

‘Considering that in 2022, 45,276 passengers embarked at the port of Lisbon, we are talking about approximately 17m of direct economic impact generated just by the people who started their journey in the Portuguese capital,’ explained Carlos Correia, chairman, Lisbon Port Authority.  

Overall, the port of Lisbon received 327 calls in 2022, an increase of 5.5%, compared with the 310 calls documented in 2019. 

Making their debut

Three operators made their debut in 2022, and 22 cruise ships called at the port for the first time. Two of those – Silversea’s Silver Dawn and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection’s Evrima – were named in the city.

Overall passenger numbers not exceeding pre-pandemic figures

The port did not see a rise in overall passenger numbers, attributing this to health protocols still being in place aboard some vessels for part of the 2022 season.