Key Aspects:
- Cruise ships nearly doubled the passenger capacity limit in Palma on Saturday, August 2.
- Two separate loopholes could be interpreted that the limit was not exceeded.
- No new agreement on guest limits has been determined for the city in 2027 and beyond.
Despite strict passenger agreement limits between the cruise industry and the city of Palma in Spain, this weekend has been a busy one with nearly double the number of passengers in port on a single day.
The city, however, seems disinclined to enforce the agreement. Despite some proposals in May 2024, there is no action being taken to renew the limitation agreement once it expires in 2026.
Four ships were docked in Palma on Saturday, August 2, 2025: AIDAcosma, Marella Voyager, Seabourn Ovation, and MSC Virtuosa.
Together, the four ships have a capacity of more than 15,500 guests. This is far above the established limit of no more than 8,000 guests per day.
Furthermore, both AIDAcosma and MSC Virtuosa can welcome more than 6,000 guests each, qualifying them as “megaships.” The agreement with Palma stipulates that no more than one megaship is permitted per day.
While the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) did agree that the limit had been exceeded, there is some disagreement about the overall spirit of the agreement.
First of all, both AIDAcosma and Marella Voyager homeport from Palma, and therefore their numbers might be considered differently from day visit guests.
Counting just Seabourn Ovation and MSC Virtuosa, the daily total was just over 6,900, well under the daily limit.
Furthermore, the Majorca Daily Bulletin reports that the daily average has recently been just over 4,000, another way the limit has not necessarily been breached.
The agreement was put in place in 2022 with the intent of ensuring sustainability and protecting local Palma residents from being overwhelmed. Palma has a population of more than 400,000, but areas near the port could easily be overcrowded with large ships in port.
Will More Guests Be Welcomed to Palma?
With the current agreement and guest limits set to expire in 2026, there has been no concerted attempt as yet to renew or renegotiate the terms. This means cruise lines could begin sending more and larger ships to the Spanish city in 2027.
In fact, many cruise lines are now finalizing itineraries for 2027 and opening bookings for eager travelers. It would be frustrating for guests to book a sailing to Palma only to have their itinerary changed at a later date.
Already in 2027, ships from TUI Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, MSC Cruises, Cunard Line, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises, and others have calls in Palma scheduled.
Cruise lines do, however, reserve the right to alter itineraries and cancel ports of call for any reason, including berth availability, civil unrest, and other considerations.
If a new limit were to be approved, it is possible that dozens of itineraries might need adjustment. Part of the agreement would undoubtedly determine how port reservations may be prioritized, such as the length of a visit, ship size, and when the reservation was made.
Many different destinations from Europe to Alaska are implementing passenger caps and daily limits. Such regulations can be challenging, as they must balance local needs, tourism revenue, port scheduling, and more.
Read Also: Top 10 Largest Cruise Ships in the World
Furthermore, with more cruise lines building ever larger ships, strict limits can be problematic when trying to confirm engaging itineraries for the newest vessels.
It is still possible that Palma will draft a new agreement with limits imposed on ship visits in 2027 and beyond. As always, cruise guests should be flexible with their travel plans for specific ports of call.
