More than 250,000 cruise passengers could arrive in Malaga over the next four months, it has emerged.
The estimate comes as the Costa del Sol capital enters its second major cruise season of the year.
Malaga Port is preparing for 164 cruise calls by 102 different ships between September and December, with some vessels returning to the city multiple times during the period.
The autumn schedule will have a distinctly luxurious flavour, with 61 calls by luxury and ultra-luxury ships, yachts and high-end expedition vessels.
Among them will be a superyacht equipped with its own submarine and helicopters, the world’s largest luxury sailing ship and the first yacht from the Four Seasons hotel group.
September: Submarine-equipped superyacht
September will see 27 calls by 23 different ships, with a combined potential capacity of 48,111 passengers.
At least 16 will involve high-end vessels.
One of the standouts is the Scenic Eclipse II, an ultra-luxury expedition yacht equipped with two helicopters and a submarine.
It will be joined on September 18 by TUI Cruises’ new Mein Schiff Flow, delivered in June and capable of carrying almost 4,000 passengers, and Ponant’s Le Champlain.
The latter features an unusual lounge beneath the waterline that allows passengers to observe and listen to the marine environment.
Other September visitors include the new VidantaWorld’s Elegant, Silversea’s Silver Ray and Queen Anne, the newest ship in Cunard’s fleet.
€17,100 suites
Activity will surge in October, with 51 calls by 43 different ships and potential combined passenger capacity of 93,670, representing almost twice September’s figure.
There will be 19 calls from the luxury and premium segment.
Perhaps the most striking arrival will be the Orient Express Corinthian, billed as the world’s largest luxury sailing yacht.
The recently launched vessel is due in Malaga on October 9.
Despite measuring 220 metres and featuring three enormous masts, it carries just 110 passengers across 54 suites.
Malaga will also serve as the departure point for a voyage to Lisbon, with prices starting at €17,100 per suite.
Packed November
The peak, however, comes in November, when 60 calls involving 49 different ships are scheduled, representing capacity for more than 90,000 passengers.
Twenty of those calls will come from luxury and high-end vessels.
On November 1, Malaga is due to welcome the Four Seasons I, the first yacht launched by luxury hotel group Four Seasons.
Some significantly larger ships will follow.
The Costa Smeralda, capable of carrying more than 6,500 passengers, and MSC Virtuosa, with capacity exceeding 6,300, are both scheduled to visit, alongside the 345-metre-long Sun Princess.
A string of smaller luxury ships and sailing vessels will also pass through the city during the month.
Luxury debut in December
December will round off the season with 26 calls by 22 ships, representing more than 50,000 potential passengers.
Six will be luxury or high-end cruise calls.
Among the scheduled vessels are Silver Nova, Silver Dawn, Explora II and Seven Seas Navigator.
One of the biggest attractions will be the Seven Seas Prestige, one of the world’s newest luxury cruise ships, which is due to arrive in Malaga on December 15 during its inaugural season.
Taken together, the four-month schedule represents an increase on the 153 cruise calls planned during the equivalent high season in 2025, as Malaga continues to consolidate its position as one of southern Spain’s major cruise destinations.
Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.
