Climate, Safety, and Cleanliness: Alicante's Top Attractions for Cruise Passengers

In the past, Alicante was wary of the sea, which brought threats from Berber pirates to English troops, necessitating fortifications around the port. Now, centuries later, the situation has changed dramatically.

The sea now brings prosperity, not just through industrial goods but also via thousands of cruise visitors each year. These tourists, with significant spending power, visit Alicante for only a few hours, requiring no extensive hotel infrastructure.

Alicante continues to break records in cruise passenger numbers. In 2024, 235,000 visitors arrived on 100 ships from 23 cruise lines. In 2025, this is expected to rise to 250,000 tourists, with the same number of ships but increased capacity, generating an economic impact of 64 million euros.

The sector remains optimistic due to the high rating of Alicante as a destination: 4.67 out of 5. Cruise passengers highlight safety, climate, and cleanliness as key attractions. Notably, 96% of tourists believe the destination is not overcrowded, indicating ample room for growth.

These insights are drawn from 4,150 surveys conducted on 76 cruises docked in the city last year, presented on Monday at the Port Authority.

Due to their spending capacity, cruise passengers are a highly attractive market. Most spend at least in bars and restaurants, with 94% disembarking to explore the city. Hospitality accounts for 34% of total spending, with 20% on general shopping, especially souvenirs.

Despite their enthusiasm, cruise passengers find Alicante's shopping options limited and express a need for better city-wide Wi-Fi connectivity. "What they want is free Wi-Fi," quipped Francesco Balbi, President of the Cruise Association. Although not a priority, it is under consideration.

Complaints are minimal, such as the lack of digital maps and the preference for physical ones. 74% of cruise passengers express a desire to return for longer stays, indicating Alicante's charm. In fact, 76% find a single day insufficient and almost all wish to revisit.

The Tourism Councillor, Marián Cano, emphasized that Alicante is in the "fourth phase" of its cruise tourism plan, describing it as a strategic and growing sector with much potential ahead.

Tourism Councillor Ana Poquet noted how cruise tourism has influenced city changes, such as extended opening hours at the Santa Bárbara Castle and longer dining hours to accommodate cruise visitors.

All of Alicante is committed to welcoming cruise passengers, aware of the benefits they bring to the city. The statistics support this enthusiasm.