Madeira's Port of Funchal records rise in overnight cruise stays

The port expects to handle a total of 73 overnight stays by the end of the year, with 34 scheduled in December alone

By Laura Hyde | 10 December 2024

The Port of Funchal in Madeira has experienced an increase in overnight cruise stays this year, with the Madeira Port Administration (APRAM, SA) expecting to have hosted 73 in total by the end of 2024.

In December, the port will handle 34 overnight stays, marking an increase on the 14 overnight cruise stays it welcomed in November and December 2023.

“For us at the Port of Funchal, this is a strategic priority, not only in terms of revenue, as overnights generate more fees, but also in promoting the destination itself,” said Paula Cabaço, chair of APRAM’s board of directors. “The longer stays encourage deeper connections with the city, strengthening the bond between the port and the community. The short distance between the port and the city is undoubtedly a key factor in encouraging cruise lines to extend their stay in Funchal, allowing passengers to enjoy the city by night.”

The Port of Funchal welcomed 279 cruise ship calls in 2023 and, for the first time, surpassed 624,000 disembarked passengers, an increase of 51 per cent compared to 2022. APRAM expects to exceed these figures in 2024.