The Port of Santander welcomed Ambience, operated by Ambassador Cruise Line, and Ventura, operated by P&O Cruises, on Monday, August 10th, marking the third of five double cruise calls scheduled for the 2026 season.
Both vessels arrived at around 8:00 AM, bringing almost 5,200 cruise passengers to Santander and Cantabria for a day of cultural, gastronomic and sightseeing experiences.
Ambience, carrying around 1,900 passengers, most of them British, and approximately 600 crew members, berthed at Maliaño 1-4. The vessel remained in Santander until 2:00 PM before continuing its journey to A Coruña. This was Ambience’s second visit to Santander this year.
Meanwhile, Ventura berthed at Santander’s Maritime Station, right in the heart of the city. The P&O Cruises vessel arrived from Southampton with around 3,300 passengers, mainly British, and approximately 1,200 crew members. After spending the day in Santander, Ventura departed at 9:00 PM for its next destination, Gijón.
The double call gave thousands of visitors the opportunity to discover Santander and explore the wide range of tourism experiences available throughout Cantabria. The central location of the cruise terminal is one of Santander’s main advantages, allowing passengers to step off the ship and immediately enjoy the city’s attractions, shops, gastronomy and cultural life.
The call also highlighted the exceptional growth of cruise tourism in Cantabria. Santander is expecting 39 cruise calls and close to 60,000 passengers in 2026, almost doubling the figures recorded last season, when the port welcomed 21 cruise ships and around 30,000 passengers.
Through Santander Cruise Deluxe, the Port Authority of Santander, the Government of Cantabria and Santander City Council continue to work together to strengthen the destination’s position within the international cruise market, with a particular focus on premium cruising, sustainability and the promotion of authentic experiences in Santander and Cantabria.
With two more double cruise calls still scheduled this season, 2026 is set to become a record year for cruise tourism in Santander.