Cruise Atlantic Islands Surpasses 4.2 Million Passengers

Friday, February 28, 2025

The Cruise Atlantic Islands (CAI) has achieved a record-breaking year in 2024, exceeding 4.2 million cruise passengers for the first time since its founding in 1994. This milestone underscores the growing appeal of the Macaronesia region—which includes the Canary Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde, and the Canary Islands, Madeira, Cape Verde,—as a premier cruise destination.

According to government reports from regional port authorities, CAI’s total passenger count reached 4,179,673 in 2024, marking a 25.52% increase from the 3,329,821 passengers recorded in 2023. The number of ship calls also rose significantly, from 1,609 in 2023 to 2,043 in 2024, reflecting heightened cruise activity across these Atlantic islands.

Factors Driving CAI’s Growth

Two key factors have fueled this impressive growth:

1. Strategic Promotion & Industry Presence
   • CAI has aggressively promoted the region as a year-round cruise destination, leveraging its mild climate, diverse attractions, and well-developed ports.
   • The collective brand actively participates in major global cruise industry events, such as Seatrade Cruise Global and CLIA summits, enhancing visibility among top cruise operators.
2. Integration of the Azores into CAI
   • The Azores officially joined CAI in 2023, contributing 152,155 passengers and 175 ship calls in its first year.
   • Even excluding the Azores, passenger numbers still rose by 20.95%, reaching 4,027,518, while ship calls increased by 16.09%, totaling 1,868.

A Historic Milestone in Cruise Tourism

CAI’s recent success builds on pre-pandemic highs, having surpassed the three million passenger mark in 2019. With this latest achievement, Macaronesian ports have firmly established themselves as a dominant player in European cruise tourism.

In 2023, CAI represented 2.3% of the global cruise passenger market, as reported by CLIA. This percentage is expected to increase further in 2025, reinforcing Macaronesia’s position in the competitive cruise industry.

CAI’s Role in Strengthening Regional Cruise Connectivity

Originally established in 1994 through a partnership between Madeira and the Canary Islands, CAI expanded to include Cape Verde in 2006 and the Azores in 2023. This evolution has created a cohesive, multi-destination cruise network, offering a unique blend of cultures, landscapes, and experiences.

The Portuguese and Spanish governments continue to support cruise tourism expansion, investing in port infrastructure, sustainable tourism initiatives, and improved passenger facilities across CAI ports. Such developments align with EU maritime and tourism strategies, ensuring long-term growth in Macaronesia’s cruise sector.

As CAI maintains its momentum, stakeholders anticipate even greater success in 2025 and beyond, cementing the region’s status as a top-tier cruise destination in the Atlantic.