“After tripling its figures since 2009, La Coruna (Port of A Coruña) will welcome 170,000 passengers and 120 cruise ships in 2017 and thus will lead the Spain’s Atlantic seaboard, both in number of calls and visitors,” said Samanta García-Carro de la Colina, commercial director at the port.

Cruise calls are all over the year now and seasonality is not as pronounced as it was in previous years.

De la Colina attributed the growth to an attractive berth in the heart of the city center and a strong shore excursion program

“The Spanish regulations on port fees for cruise vessels are very strict and incentives cannot apply,” she continued. “However the Port Authority has negotiated directly for a decrease in pilot, tow and mooring fees that has a considerable impact on port costs.”

This year there will be 22 days with at least two ships in port, with May and September the busiest months. Next year the port has 85 calls announced and expects to book more.

“Cruise calls are all over the year now and seasonality is not as pronounced as it was in previous years,” de la Colina noted.