Port of Lisbon launches “Cruise for the Community” Program

07/11/2025

Lisbon Cruise Terminal Named Best in Southern Europe at the World Luxury Travel Awards 2025

International recognition reinforces the Port of Lisbon’s leadership in cruise tourism, hospitality, and sustainability Lisbon, November 2025 — The Lisbon Cruise Terminal has been named the “Best Cruise Port in Southern Europe” at the fifth edition of the World Luxury Travel Awards 2025, held in Barcelona at the end of October. This international recognition consolidates Lisbon’s position as one of Europe’s leading cruise destinations and underscores its reputation as a benchmark for luxury, innovation, and sustainable tourism. The award results from a combination of public voting and evaluation by an international panel of experts, who assessed key criteria such as service quality, design, operational efficiency, environmental performance, and overall passenger experience. This marks the first time the Lisbon Cruise Terminal has received an award from the World Luxury Travel Awards, an initiative launched in 2020 to celebrate excellence and innovation across all sectors of global luxury travel. Statements According to the Port of Lisbon Authority (APL): “This award reflects the collective dedication and shared vision of everyone working within Lisbon’s cruise ecosystem. It acknowledges the joint effort of the APL, Lisbon Cruise Port, and our partners, who strive daily to provide unique and memorable experiences for all visitors. Lisbon continues to affirm itself as a port of excellence — competitive, innovative, and sustainable.” The Lisbon Cruise Port also emphasized: “This recognition highlights the excellence of our infrastructure and the high quality of service offered to cruise passengers. The award reinforces Lisbon’s strategic role in global cruise tourism, boosting the local economy and promoting Portugal as an international destination of choice.” Commitment to Sustainability and Excellence The award further strengthens the Port of Lisbon ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability and the continuous improvement of port infrastructures and passenger services. The Port of Lison Authority strategic focus on quality, hospitality, and integration between the port and the city continues to play a key role in driving the region’s economic and tourism development. The World Luxury Travel Awards 2025 distinction thus consolidates the status of the Lisbon Cruise Terminal as a world-class facility, positioning the Portuguese capital as a gateway to luxury tourism in both the Atlantic and Mediterranean regions.

06/11/2025

“All Aboard!” Brings the Cruises to Lisbon Classrooms

On October 7, with great enthusiasm and participation, the first session of the educational program “All Aboard!” took place at the Gil Vicente School in Lisbon. The event is an initiative from MSC Cruises, in collaboration with CLIA – Cruise Lina International Association, and Port of Lisbon Authority was the local partner to implement the action. The activity is part of the “Cruises for the Community” program, a pioneering initiative by the Port of Lisbon Authority, created to bring cruise companies closer to the local community and strengthen their engagement with the region. All Aboard! is an educational initiative that seeks to explain to pupils aged between 9 and 11 years the variety of professions that exist on board cruise ships through dynamic and interactive exercises. This initiative seeks to share with pupils some of the principles that prevail in life on board such as tolerance, diversity, respect for different cultures, teamwork, and environmental protection. During the session, around 70 fifth-grade students from the Gil Vicente Basic and Secondary School took on the roles of cruise professionals for a day. Through interactive activities and role-playing exercises, the children performed duties such as captain, engineer, ship doctor, environmental officer, receptionist, tour guide, and entertainer, exploring the wide range of responsibilities and skills required to operate in a multicultural and global environment. The experience was enriched by the participation of crew members from the MSC Virtuosa, docked in Lisbon, who shared their professional knowledge and experiences, making the event even more authentic and inspiring. Representatives from MSC Cruises, CLIA, and port were also present, reaffirming the industry’s commitment to education, youth training, and engagement with the local community. Teachers praised the program as an innovative, educational, and inspiring experience, highlighting its positive impact on students’ curiosity and motivation. According to the teaching staff, the initiative helped broaden professional horizons, spark technical and linguistic interest, and bring the Port of Lisbon closer to the school environment. For Port of Lisbon, projects like “All Aboard!” are essential to strengthening the connection between the port and the city, promoting a sense of local identity, and showing younger generations that port and cruise activities offer a wide range of human, technical, and cultural opportunities. The success of this first session confirms the strong commitment of the port ecosystem and cruise companies to the community, positioning Lisbon not only as a leading destination for cruise tourism but also as an example of innovation and social responsibility within the port sector.

26/05/2025

Port of Lisbon | “Cruise for the Community” Program _ Cruise Ship Ventura Donates Goods to Solidarity Institution ENTRAJUDA

The cruise ship Ventura, operated by Carnival UK, donated around 300 kg of goods last 21st May to ENTRAJUDA – Association for Support to Social Solidarity Institutions. The donation includes household items such as linens, ironing boards, and ping-pong tables, delivered as part of the “Cruise for the Community” program. This marks the second donation under the “Cruise for the Community” initiative, launched in 2024 by the Port of Lisbon with the aim of strengthening ties between cruise lines and the local community. The program also includes volunteer work by crew members and passengers, supporting both social and environmental causes, thus reinforcing the creation of lasting value for the city and its residents.