The forecasts of the cruise ship employers’ association suggest that in 2023 the Mallorcan capital will not reach the figures of 2019 as far as these vessels are concerned. Palma will register 20% fewer cruise ships than in 2019

According to the Cruise Lines International Association, CLIA, the port of Palma is still recovering from the pandemic, while the ports of Ibiza and Maó will exceed the figures for cruise arrivals in 2023.

The cruise sector will not reach the 2019 figures in Palma this season. CLIA, the Cruise Lines International Association, claims that the port of Palma will register 20% fewer stopovers than four years ago.

CLIA explains that the majority of Mediterranean ports are approaching pre-pandemic figures, but this is not the case for Palma. The forecasts for the ports of Ibiza and Maó, Menorca, are to exceed these pre-pandemic figures.

The cruise employers’ association claims that the limitations imposed during Covid were very harsh, as it was not possible to sail from March 2020 to June 2022, in addition to strong competition from other destinations such as the Caribbean.

On the other hand, AVIBA, the Balearic travel association, Agrupación Empresarial de Agencias de Viajes de Balears (Balearic Travel Agencies Business Group), states that, for the moment, cruise ships are arriving in the Balearics, both in Palma and in Menorca and Ibiza. Other destinations include Civitavecchia, Naples, Marseilles, Nice and Barcelona.

As far as prices are concerned, they speak of an increase of approximately 15% due to inflation, which has affected all sectors.