Nine cruise ships are scheduled for Palma in December, seven fewer than in 2024, a decrease not reflected in the figures for the whole year. 2025 will close with there having been 511 stopovers, twelve more than in 2024.
The only ship operating from a Mallorca home base this month is the AIDAluna. Primarily targeting the German market, it isn't in the 'mega' class of cruise ship; it has capacity of some 2,000 passengers. The only mega-cruise ship is the Costa Smeralda, scheduled for December 16. This has a capacity of 6,500 tourists but operates with a smaller number of passengers during the low season.
The profile of passenger at this time of year is older than during the summer; there is more of a 'seniors' market. The progressive increase in size of the ships over the past 25 years has made them more comfortable when conditions are rough, which they can be especially when the north wind blows.
The year is coming to a close without there having been any move on renewing the agreement between the Balearic Government and the cruise operators in respect of limits. It is due to expire at the end of 2026. The tourism minister, Jaume Bauzá, has suggested that it should be unaltered, but there is much argument in favour of a decrease.
The mayor of Palma, Jaime Martínez, who is from the same party as Bauzá (the Partido Popular), is an advocate of tougher limits. He has proposed a national strategy for limiting cruise ships in Spain's ports. For Martínez and the town hall, cruises produce a type of tourism that can "overwhelm" the city centre while not bringing significant economic benefit.