FITUR Cruises celebrates its fifth edition with a broader programme and offer that brings together the cruise industry and the traveller

With the rapidly growing blue tourism and cruising as one of the segments that best explains how travel habits are changing, FITUR Cruises is hosting its fifth edition from 21 to 25 January at IFEMA MADRID in the setting of the International Tourism Trade Fair. The section dedicated to cruise travel will be present at this edition with a greater participation of cruise lines and a broader programme, structured for industry professionals and the general public over the course the five days of the trade fair.

Organised by IFEMA MADRID, in collaboration with the online magazine Cruceroadicto.com, FITUR Cruises is being held in Hall 4 as a meeting point for the cruise industry, travel agents and the travellers themselves, concentrating the Cruise Market activity, which will act as the core of the section's business and programming.

Twelve cruise lines represented and a complete overview of the sector

At this edition, FITUR Cruises will have twelve international cruise lines present, the highest number since its launch, allowing it to offer a representative view of the main cruise market segments to both professionals and visitors.

Among the participating companies are Costa Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line, with a family-oriented offer, or companies such as Azamara Cruises, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Virgin Voyages and Oceania Cruises, which operate in the premium and upper premium segments. Other proposals such as Regent Seven Seas, Emerald Cruises, Scenic Luxury Cruises and AmaWaterways are added to the group, which contribute to an offer centred on personalised service and the prominence of the destination, both in ocean and river cruises.

Alongside this variety of cruise lines, there will also be specialised travel agencies, such as Navega Mediterráneo, and cruise excursion companies, such as Shore2Shore , completing the cruise travel value chain.

A professional programme with the keys to the cruise industry

FITUR Cruises will be developing a professional programme concentrated over the B2B days, through Cruise Campus, the series of talks and mini-courses that will address the main topics that are currently shaping the cruise industry.

As a new addition at this fifth edition, the section is incorporating two round tables featuring industry executives who will be analysing the current and future situation of cruise travel in the Spanish-speaking global market. These meetings will be focused on two complementary themes: the ship as a destination, which will analyse the complete on-board experience and beyond the ship, with a special focus on the role of final destinations, cultural immersion and exclusive experiences ashore.

Other topics being covered during the conference include the application of artificial intelligence in the sector; the current profile of cruise passengers and the trends for 2026; the situation of the cruise market in Latin America; the analysis of the different segments of the premium, luxury and river cruise product; the role and services of travel agencies and the value propositions of different cruise lines. The series of content will provide a comprehensive and applicable overview for professionals operating in the sector.

Weekend activities designed for travellers

At the weekend, FITUR Cruises will shift its programme to the traveller, with activities aimed at bringing the world of cruising closer from a practical and experiential perspective. Through Cruise Campus, the general public will also be able to attend specialised talks that will show them the diversity of the current cruise offer with topics ranging from boutique travel at sea to the peculiarities of iconic destinations such as Alaska.

The participatory aspect of the weekend programme will be completed with the popular Cruise Scavenger Hunt, sponsored by Descubre Puerto Rico, which invites visitors to tour the FITUR halls following an itinerary of stopovers linked to the world of cruising, with prize draws for trips, excursions and other prizes among participants who complete the route. The Café & Cruises meetings, conceived as informal gatherings between travellers, will bring together veteran cruisers and those who are discovering the world of cruising for the first time, with the aim of sharing enriching experiences.

The Cruceroadicto Awards 2025 are chosen by the international travel community

On Thursday 22 January, FITUR Cruises will be the setting for the 4th Cruceroadicto 2025 Awards, the only awards in the cruise sector determined entirely by the Spanish-speaking traveller community and endorsed by the AENOR mark. The 2025 edition has registered a record number of participants, in a vote that will recognise the best cruise line, the best ship and the best port of the year 2025, as well as different sub-categories.

With this fifth edition, FITUR Cruises stands out as the benchmark meeting point for the cruise sector, bringing together cruise lines, professionals and cruisers in the same space.