Alicante has intensified its efforts to grow in the cruise segment through a promotional initiative focused on local heritage and gastronomy. The event, jointly organized by the Port Authority, Global Ports, the Alicante Costa Blanca Association for Cruise Tourism, the Costa Blanca Tourism Board, and the Municipal Tourism Board, took place last Friday with executives from the Carnival UK group.
The proposal, designed under the concept 'Alicante Premium From Castle to Sea', showcased Alicante's potential as an excursion destination for cruise passengers. Key sites such as the Castle of Santa Bárbara, considered the most visited historical monument in the Valencian Community, and La Ereta Park, accessible within the same walking route, were visited.
The day continued through the Historic Quarter and the Santa Cruz Neighborhood, revealing their most emblematic streets and monuments. Subsequently, the Central Market was visited, where a tasting of local products such as rice dishes, cured fish, and Alicante wines was offered, elements intended to enrich future excursions.
The tour also included the Explanada promenade, the marina, and the seafront, reinforcing Alicante's image as a city open to the sea. The visit concluded at the cruise terminal managed by Global Ports, where the passenger reception operations and the cruise tourist information point were presented.
The participation of Emily Pillinger, an Executive of Destination Experiences at Carnival UK (a group that includes P&O Cruises and Cunard), was significant, as she is one of the main individuals responsible for sourcing excursions for passengers. This collaboration is expected to lead to an increase in calls to Alicante in future campaigns.
Navieras linked to Carnival UK have already made calls in 2026, including the visit of the ship Carnival Dream on March 2nd. It is anticipated that other cruise lines from the group, primarily P&O Cruises, will schedule nearly twenty more stays throughout the year. Expectations for 2027 point to a new historical record, with an estimated growth of 20% compared to the 110 calls expected for 2026.
Furthermore, a delegation from the Port, Global Ports, and the Alicante Costa Blanca Turismo y Cruceros association recently participated in the Seatrade Cruise Med fair in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. There, they held 18 meetings with international cruise lines and operators to strengthen existing relationships and explore new growth opportunities.
This year's figures already indicate another historical high. Up to August, 64 tourist ship arrivals with 191,686 cruise passengers have been recorded, an increase of 11.2% compared to the same period in 2025, according to official statistics from Puertos del Estado.
