Costa, MSC and Fred Olsen: Alicante Port Becomes a Serious Cruise Departure Point in 2026

Alicante's Best Cruise Season Yet

Alicante is rapidly building a reputation as a serious Mediterranean cruise departure point — and 2026 looks set to be its most significant year yet, with three major cruise lines operating sailings directly from the port.

Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises, and British line Fred Olsen are all planning departures from Alicante this year, offering residents of the Costa Blanca the increasingly rare option of joining a cruise without the drive to Valencia or Barcelona.

Costa Cruises: First Alicante Embarkations from April 15

The headline arrival is Costa Cruises, which is launching its first ever embarkation and disembarkation services from Alicante port on April 15. The service will alternate with Valencia and run through until September, operating as a trial that the industry will be watching closely.

The ship making the journey is the Costa Pacifica — a substantial 190-metre vessel built in 2009 with capacity for 3,780 passengers and a crew of 1,110. One of the larger ships in the Costa fleet, the Pacifica offers:

• 521 balcony cabins
• Nine pools and whirlpools
• Six restaurants and eleven bars

The eight-day Mediterranean itineraries will include stops in Rome, La Spezia, Savona, Marseille and Palma — a well-rounded circuit of the western Mediterranean's highlights.

Further scheduled calls in Alicante are planned for June 3, 10 and 17, and again on September 16. A transfer service between Alicante and Valencia will be provided for passengers depending on which port their sailing departs from, and the arrangement is expected to encourage travellers to arrive early and spend a night or two in the city before boarding.

If the trial proves successful, Costa could establish Alicante as a regular home port in future years — a development that would represent a significant boost for the local tourism economy.

MSC Cruises: 15 Sailings from May

MSC Cruises has been using Alicante as a home port since 2022, and returns again this year with 15 sailings aboard the MSC Opera starting on May 10. Each voyage carries up to 2,679 passengers.

Several other MSC ships — including the MSC Virtuosa and MSC Magnifica — will also make transit stops at Alicante between April and December, adding further footfall and visibility for the port.

Fred Olsen: Alicante Debut in October

British cruise line Fred Olsen is also making its Alicante debut this year, with a departure planned from dock 14 on October 8 aboard the Balmoral — a smaller, more intimate ship carrying 1,250 passengers.

It will be the line's first departure from Alicante, and another indicator that the port is increasingly on the radar of cruise operators looking for alternatives to the busier — and more expensive to operate from — Mediterranean hubs of Barcelona and Valencia.

Good News for Costa Blanca Residents

For the many cruise enthusiasts living along the Costa Blanca, the growth of Alicante as a home port is genuinely good news. Driving to Barcelona or catching a flight to Southampton to join a cruise adds significant cost and inconvenience to what should be a straightforward holiday — departing from your local port removes that friction entirely.

With Costa, MSC and Fred Olsen all operating from Alicante in 2026, and the prospect of Costa making the arrangement permanent if the trial succeeds, the options available to local residents are expanding meaningfully for the first time.

This article is based on reporting from Alicante Today, published March 31, 2026. Sailing schedules are subject to change — always verify directly with the cruise line before booking. This article is for informational purposes only.