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Cádiz showed once again why it is one of the liveliest ports in southern Europe, as the city welcomed almost 7,000 cruise passengers on Monday March 23. The giants of the sea, the Iona and the Marella Discovery, arrived at the same time in the early morning, turning the shoreline into a busy welcome zone for thousands of visitors, most of them from the United Kingdom.

 

The Iona, one of the largest cruise ships in the industry, arrived at 8.00am with 5,087 passengers on board. It docked at the Alfonso XIII Wharf, where it remained until 6.00pm, giving its passengers a full day to explore the city’s historic streets, lively tapas bars and waterfront promenades.

 

Almost at the same moment, the Marella Discovery also slipped into the port at 8.00am. With 1,761 people on board, the ship is moored at the Ciudad Wharf and is due to leave an hour earlier, at 5.00pm, after a shorter but intense stop in the city.

 

Together, the two ships brought a total of 6,848 tourists ashore in a single day, giving local shops, cafés and guided tours a noticeable boost. For many residents, it was a reminder of how much life and activity cruise visitors bring to the city centre and the waterfront, especially on bright, sunny days like this one.

 

This double port call is another sign of the strong momentum at the Port of Cádiz in recent months. Last year, on November 5, the city set a record when four cruise ships arrived at the same time: Mein Schiff 7, Europa, Aida Cosma and Sun Princess. That day more than 13,000 passengers disembarked at once, highlighting Cádiz’s growing appeal to North American, Canadian and German markets.

 

For the local Ayuntamiento, the repeat of such busy days is a clear sign that the port’s strategy to attract large cruise lines is working. The combination of historic charm, convenient docking, and a quick walk into the city centre makes Cádiz an attractive stop for many international itineraries. Behind the scenes, port staff and municipal services work closely together to keep arrivals running smoothly, ensuring that residents and visitors both enjoy the extra buzz without unnecessary disruption.

 

For the city itself, the message is simple: when the ships are in port, Cádiz is even more lively, colourful and welcoming than usual.

 

 

Images: wikicommons