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Three Cruise Ships Dock in Madeira Over Easter Sunday

Madeira GuideMadeira Guide
April 5, 2026
3 min read

Three cruise ships, including Costa Fortuna, Nautica, and National Geographic Orion, docked in Madeira and Porto Santo this Easter Sunday, bringing thousands of tourists to the region.

This Easter Sunday, Madeira welcomed a bustling scene at its ports with the arrival of three cruise ships, enhancing the festive atmosphere on the island. The Port of Funchal hosted Costa Fortuna and Nautica, while National Geographic Orion made a stop at Porto Santo, collectively bringing thousands of tourists to the region.

The Costa Fortuna, operated by Blatas, arrived from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria at 6:00 a.m. The ship carried 3,209 passengers and 921 crew members, making a brief stop for 11 hours. During its stay, it facilitated a partial 'turnaround' operation, where 72 passengers embarked and 75 disembarked. The ship continued its journey to Santa Cruz de Tenerife at 5:00 p.m. after a week-long voyage through the Cruise Atlantic Islands, including stops at La Gomera, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and Gran Canaria.

Meanwhile, the Nautica, managed by JFM Shipping, initiated docking procedures at 7:00 a.m. and remained in Funchal until 4:00 p.m. This ship, part of Oceania Cruises, is on a two-week voyage from Miami to Lisbon. It brought 599 passengers and 392 crew members to Madeira. After leaving Funchal, the Nautica headed towards Santa Cruz de Tenerife and is scheduled to visit Lanzarote and Agadir in Morocco before reaching Lisbon.

In Porto Santo, the National Geographic Orion, also under the agency of JFM Shipping, arrived from Funchal at 7:00 a.m. and stayed until 12:45 p.m. This vessel is on a 13-day journey through the Cruise Atlantic Islands, which included stops in Cape Verde, the Canaries, and Madeira. It departed for the Azores, marking the end of its current itinerary.

The influx of cruise ships this holiday highlights Madeira's significance as a tourist hub. With its strategic location along popular maritime routes and its scenic beauty, the island continues to attract visitors worldwide. The presence of these ships not only boosts local tourism but also provides a significant economic influx for the region's businesses.

As the Easter festivities continue, Madeira is set to welcome two more cruise ships, AIDAbella and Viking Sky, on Monday, promising another busy day for the island's ports.

Sources

Madeira Guide

Madeira Guide

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