Spanish ports are breaking their own historical record of cruises in recent times, reaching 13,105,582 passengers in 2025, 9.9% more than in 2024, which was already a peak year for the sector, according to data from Puertos del Estado. Not only did cruises succeed in our country, but they also set a milestone in waters around the world, attracting cruisers of all kinds in search of different experiences at sea. These are their main novelties.
Cruise lines are clear that they must offer each customer what they are looking for. Thus, there are cruises focused on singles (with individual cabins, contests, and parties to meet people), couples (with romantic dinners, couples' massages, and adults-only areas), and families (with daycare, children's clubs, and teen rooms complete with a mini disco for parents to enjoy the spa or a yoga class). The top spot for this last group goes to Disney, whose ships become a true theme park with live shows and encounters with Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, and company.
Then there are themed cruises for food lovers (with cooking classes, workshops with chefs, Michelin-starred menus, tastings...), Star Wars (yes, with Jedis and Chewbaccas strolling on deck, film screenings, and galactic cabins), or music. For example, Costa Cruises has already held several editions with concerts, DJ sessions, and versions of 'The Voice' on board coinciding with the San Remo Festival. In this line, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) will debut in March its leisure experience 'Rocket Man: a celebration of Elton John,' a tribute to the British artist that reviews his entire career.
More and more ships are circumnavigating the globe for periods ranging from 100 to 180 days, docking at around 50 ports while traveling across five continents and several oceans. Meanwhile, passengers visit up to 50 World Heritage Sites, with overnight stays in destinations like Marseille, Singapore, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, or Miami. Most of those departing from Spain do so from Barcelona like the 'Costa Deliziosa,' which started its adventure in the fall and will return to the Catalan city in April. But wait, it already has a departure date for 2026: November 25. Then, this Costa Cruises ship will begin its journey through a total of 47 locations. From the Azores to Tahiti, Fiji, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Tokyo, Hong Kong, or Port Elizabeth in South Africa, where passengers can go on a safari.
Other cruise lines like MSC Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and Cunard Line are also joining the challenge. And some even extend it to 274 nights, discovering 60 countries and up to eight wonders of the world. This is the case of Royal Caribbean's 'Ultimate World Cruise,' jumping from the Peruvian Machu Picchu to the Indian Taj Mahal with the possibility, yes, of hiring specific intervals by continent.
By the end of 2026, the largest and most luxurious suite in cruise history will be unveiled, the 817 m2 Skyview Regent (344 m2 wrap-around balcony overlooking the sea) starting at 22,500 euros per night from Regent Seven Seas Cruises, one of the most exclusive along with Sebourn Cruises, Explora Journeys (which will inaugurate its third ship, the Explora III, next summer), Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, or Silversea, which in 2026 offers routes for the Venice and Rio de Janeiro carnivals, the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix, or the total solar eclipse from the Balearic Islands.
With smaller ships, designer spaces, 24-hour butler service, art galleries, specialty restaurants led by top chefs, embarkations at small ports, and customized onshore excursions, these companies are expanding their offerings worldwide, with itineraries that even reach Antarctica.
It's time for river cruises. From the Guadalquivir to the Rhine, Seine, Mekong, or Amazon. These are intimate experiences on smaller 'boutique' ships than maritime cruises—usually not exceeding 150 passengers compared to the 6,000 that large ocean liners can carry—ensuring personalized experiences. Companies like Viva Cruises, AlmaWaterways, Panavisión, Emerald River Cruises, or Croisieurope are seeing their clientele grow each year.
The latter, the largest operating in Europe and the first to offer cruises in Spanish, has just celebrated 20 years in our country. In addition to routes through the Iberian Peninsula, the Canary Islands, and the rest of the Old Continent, it also offers 11-day safari cruises through several African countries: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. For their ecotourism project in the Brazilian Amazon, we have to wait until 2027, although reservations are already available.