Tourists have been heading off on cruise holidays like never before, particularly to Spain, stopping at stunning cities such as Barcelona or the idyllic sandy beaches of Majorca.
However, cruise ships have found themselves at the centre of the anti-tourism debate, with protesters saying the ships bring with them numerous negative impacts, such as damage to local environments and economies and increases to costs of living and accommodation.
Several Spanish towns have taken to implementing restrictions, or even bans, on cruise ships in an attempt to get a handle on the situation. The Balearic Island of Ibiza has been the latest to announce a crackdown on the number of ships allowed to dock – with no more than two able to arrive at the same time.
Despite all this, it has been revealed that the port of Alicante on the eastern coast will break cruise ship stopover records this year, with 100 vessels calling into the Costa Blanca with a passenger total of 230,000.
This marks a 19 percent rise in ships docking compared to 2023, which saw 81 vessels stopover – itself an annual record.
The port has been boosted by the MSC Cruise company which had 20 vessels calling in during seven months, The Olive Press reported.
A super-vessel called the Explora I docked just last Thursday, a ship capable of housing 922 passengers over 14 decks, part of the MSC ultra-luxury line. Its passengers disembarked for day tours of Alicante, plus options to visit Elche, an old olive oil mill at Alcoy and the Canelobre Caves in Buscot.
This marked the first time that Explora I had called in Alicante and a special ceremony was held involving the ship’s captain, the head of MSC in Spain, and the Alicante Port Authority.
Cruise ship passengers have been named by protesters as one of the main areas of anger in the ongoing overtourism battle in many major tourist hotspots in Spain.
The decision taken in Ibiza mirrors actions taken by officials in neighbouring Majorca, who last year capped arrivals in Palma to just three per day. Barcelona has also announced plans to restrict access of liners to its congested city centre.
Last month, a local from Majorca claimed he would be partaking in the next anti-tourism protest after swarms of tourists made it impossible to walk on busy streets.
Majorca Daily Bulletin reporter Humphrey Carter said he has lived in Palma for almost 30 years and had never felt more uncomfortable walking around the city. He revealed that he felt “claustrophobic” trying to make his way through after four cruise ships had docked in the port.
“A sizeable number of early low-season visitors, but the sheer wave of tourists I had to try and navigate my way through was just overwhelming,” he said.
“I never thought I’d say it, but I’m on the next anti-mass tourism march.”
Carter added that local authorities had assured locals there would be control on port activities, but this has not been the case: “They were out in hoards and they were camped out without a concern in the world.
“No wonder. During my hour of battling round the centre I didn’t see a single member of the security forces – so much for looking after the safety of tourists and residents.”
