The President of the Port Authority of Santander (APS), César Díaz, has stated that this record represents a “considerable increase in the number of calls”, as a result of the “excellent work carried out by the port authority, the Government of Cantabria and the City Council” through the Santander Cruise Deluxe brand.
Santander, 03-03-26. The Port Authority has confirmed that 2026 will see the highest number of cruise calls in its history, with a total of thirty-eight vessels and a combined capacity of more than sixty thousand tourists.
This was announced by APS President César Díaz, who highlighted that the figure represents a “considerable increase compared to 2025, when the Port recorded twenty calls and nearly thirty thousand passengers”. “This result is undoubtedly the consequence of the excellent work carried out by the port authority, the Government of Cantabria and the City Council through Santander Cruise Deluxe,” he stated.
The brand, created by the three institutions to organise cruise calls and promote cruise tourism, is implementing numerous actions set out in the roadmap resulting from the Impact Study carried out in 2024. According to Díaz, this instrument is proving to be “agile and effective”, as its implementation is leading to “sustained growth over time in cruise traffic”.
He also recalled that the document “has a threefold objective: to position Santander as the leading port of call for premium cruises in northern Spain; to promote the deseasonalisation of tourism in the region, with calls scheduled throughout the year; and to ensure sustainable growth”. “We are on the right track,” he affirmed, while acknowledging that “the complex geopolitical situation currently unfolding at a global level may trigger significant changes in the maritime and tourism sectors”.
In addition to being a member of associations such as CLIA and Cruise Europe, and participating in major trade fairs such as Seatrade Miami, Seatrade Europe and the International Cruise Summit, Santander carries out numerous promotional activities throughout the year.
These include familiarisation trips with cruise lines, maintaining permanent contact with ship captains, marketing new experiences, publishing articles in specialised media, producing brochures for luxury cruises, increasing digitalisation and creating new merchandising.
César Díaz added that, in parallel, “we are working on improving port infrastructure by increasing the berthing capacity for cruise ships of up to 330 metres in length and 9.5 metres draught, adapting to the characteristics of the new vessels operated by cruise lines”. “We are also continuing to enhance the services of the Maritime Station, an infrastructure located in the very centre of the city and a privilege that few northern cities can offer,” he added.
2026 Cruise Call Forecast
The Port of Santander expects to increase from twenty cruise ships and 29,862 passengers in 2025 to more than thirty-eight confirmed calls and around 60,000 passengers in 2026.
Among the major cruise ships scheduled to visit Cantabria this year are the Ventura and Arcadia of the British cruise line P&O; the Crystal Serenity of Crystal Cruises; Cunard’s Queen Anne; Saga’s Spirit of Discovery; the Ambience of Ambassador Cruise Line; and the Borealis of Fred Olsen.
In addition, several luxury cruise ships with smaller vessels will also call at Santander, including those operated by Silversea, Le Ponant, Diana and Sirena.