2022 was a record year in cruise traffic for the Port of La Coruna with a total of 222,723 cruise passengers arriving onboard 136 calls, up from the previous record of 184,069 cruise passengers and 121 calls back in 2017.
Last year, there were 20 double-call days and 3 triple-call days. Other highlights included the inaugural calls from Carnival Celebration on her maiden voyage, Disney Magic, Valiant Lady, and P&O Iona.
Autumn saw the most intense activity, with spring a close 2nd. There were a total of 24 calls in October, which was a record monthly figure, and 21 in September. April & May saw 19 & 18 calls, respectively.
Samantha Garcia-Carro de la Colina, head of commercial Port of A Coruna said those figures highlighted the important role the port played in deseasonalising the city’s tourism industry.
Martin Fernandez Prado, president of the port authority, stressed the major economic impact the large number of visitors had on the port city, estimated to be EUR 20+ million. Cruise ship traffic is seen as a major driver for promoting La Coruna as well as the principal point of entry for international tourism.
Prado considers the figures to be “the excellent results of the intense commercial activity aimed at attracting business, with the invaluable help of tour operators and agents, whilst at the same time consolidating the loyalty of existing clients thanks to our excellent standards of service and ongoing improvements to our facilities”.
In 2023, 140+ calls are scheduled, including 24 multiple-call days, including 5 triples. P&O UK’s ship Arvia is expected to make an inaugural call with 14 more due this year. Also visiting La Coruna for the first time are Viking Saturn and Oceania Vista.
When it comes to attractions, La Coruna is to be the first port of call for the Tall Ships Race in 2023 which is paying tribute to the Magellan-Elcano expedition, the first around-the-world voyage completed 500+ years ago.