Santander Cruise Deluxe took part this week in the 41st edition of Seatrade Cruise Global (SCG) in Miami, the world’s leading cruise industry exhibition, where it promoted Cantabria’s tourism and port infrastructure to the world’s major cruise lines. The event brought together more than 650 exhibitors, 75 cruise lines, representatives from 128 countries and over 11,500 industry professionals, making it the most important international meeting point for the cruise sector.
Representing Santander Cruise Deluxe, the Port of Santander exhibited within the Ports of Spain Pavilion, coordinated by Puertos del Estado under the slogan «Make your landing unforgettable.» The main objective was to position Cantabria as a premier cruise destination, highlighting not only the region’s outstanding cultural, natural and gastronomic attractions but also the convenience of a modern cruise terminal located in the heart of Santander.
According to Sophie Lanos, Cruise Manager at the Port of Santander, Seatrade Cruise Global offers an excellent opportunity to meet with international cruise operators and attract new cruise lines to include Santander in their future itineraries.
Although competition among destinations is increasingly strong, Santander Cruise Deluxe continues to promote Cantabria’s unique advantages, focusing on its premium tourism experiences, exceptional accessibility and high-quality visitor services.
Through a comprehensive commercial strategy—including participation in international trade fairs, familiarisation trips for cruise lines, direct engagement with ship captains, the development of new visitor experiences and digital marketing initiatives—Santander Cruise Deluxe continues to strengthen the region’s position as one of the leading premium cruise destinations in northern Spain.
The results are already becoming evident. Following 21 cruise calls and nearly 30,000 passengers in 2025, the Port of Santander expects to welcome more than 38 cruise calls and around 60,000 passengers in 2026, making it the busiest cruise season in the port’s history. Among the ships scheduled to visit are Ventura, Arcadia, Queen Anne, Crystal Serenity, Spirit of Discovery, Borealis, SilverSea, Le Ponant, Diana and Sirena, further consolidating Santander’s reputation within the premium cruise market.