For another year running, we bring you the International Cruise Summit, the unique Summit, the one in Madrid. Once again we give thanks to our sponsors and speakers for their trust and support. For this reason we are opening up this space again, the ICS Message Board, where our sponsors can take advantage of another opportunity to promote their activities and where our esteemed speakers can talk about their participation in the Summit.

IF YOU ARE A SPONSOR OR A SPEAKER, PLEASE SEND US YOUR CONTRIBUTION AND A PHOTOGRAPH
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We wish you all a fruitful ICS 2026!

1 LEARN.
Hear from experts that will cover all aspects of the cruise industry. Topics can range from challenges to port operations, supply chain topics, guest expectations, destinations, new builds, new ship orders and the latest trends in the growth of the global industry.

‍2 GAIN.
New perspectives and different ways to approach and analyse the industry while socialising and enjoying a professional but comfortable business to business networking environment.

‍3 EVOLVE.
Keep apace with ALL the new trends in the cruise industry.

The Ports of Madeira continue to strengthen their position as one of the Atlantic’s leading cruise destinations, combining sustained growth with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility and innovation.

Following the recognition as the “World’s Best Cruise Terminal for Sustainability 2024” and “Europe’s Best Cruise Destination 2025”, Madeira is once again nominated in 2026 for both “Europe’s Best Cruise Destination” and “World’s Best Cruise Terminal for Sustainability”. These nominations reflect the work carried out by the regional port community and alltourism stakeholders in delivering a high-quality, sustainable cruise experience.

The cruise industry is navigating one of the most transformative periods in its history. Decarbonisation, digitalisation, competitiveness, security and the emergence of new traveller expectations are reshaping the way ports, destinations and companies operate. These challenges are complex, interconnected and global. No single organisation, however large or experienced, can solve them alone.

Innovation is often associated with technology, but technology is only part of the equation. Meaningful innovation begins when different perspectives, capabilities and areas of expertise come together around a shared challenge.

The Port of Las Palmas is preparing to become a major gathering point for the international cruise industry as it hosts Seatrade Cruise Med. For the first time, the Las Palmas Port Authority will welcome this prestigious event at one of its own facilities, providing a strategic opportunity to showcase the strengths of its ports and reinforce its position as a leading hub in the Mid-Atlantic.

The event will bring together cruise lines, port authorities, tourist destinations, logistics operators, service providers and specialist media. It will create new business opportunities, facilitate the exchange of knowledge and foster partnerships with some of the industry's leading stakeholders.

What does a successful cruise destination look like today?
Is it simply a port capable of welcoming the largest ships? A city offering memorable experiences? A gateway to iconic destinations? Or increasingly, a place that can combine all of these while responding to the environmental and social expectations of a changing industry?
At Le Havre Croisières, we believe the answer lies in bringing these dimensions together.

Located on the English Channel at the gateway to the Seine and Paris region, Le Havre has long been an important maritime gateway to France.

For many years, growth in the cruise industry was relatively easy to measure: more ships, more passengers, more destinations and more port calls. But perhaps the next chapter of our industry should be measured differently. The question is no longer simply how many cruise ships a destination can receive. The more important question is how well we can manage them.

Cruising has evolved enormously. Ships are larger, operations are more complex, guests are more demanding and destinations are increasingly conscious of the impact, both positive and negative, that tourism can have on their communities.

Cruisetourism continues to grow, but growth also brings new challenges for ports and destinations. Welcoming more ships and passengers needs to go hand in hand with better infrastructure, a good passenger experience and benefits for the cities and communities that receive them.

This is particularly relevant in Cartagena, where cruise traffic has grown significantly in recent years. In 2026, the port expects to welcome more than 200 cruise calls and around 285,000 passengers.

One of Cartagena's main advantages is something very simple: the city is right next tothe port.

The Port of A Coruña, in the NW corner of the Iberian Peninsula, has developed a steady strategy for a sustainable cruise tourism. In 2025 more than 450,000 passengers in 184 cruise calls visited our city and the schedule for 2027 will reach 200 calls.

With two dedicated Cruise Berths in the heart of the city, our port facilities and terminal offer quality services that satisfy cruise lines’ demands, as they trust the port of A Coruña when calling in their Atlantic itineraries. By 2028 the OPS connection will be available at both cruise berths, in line with the cruise industry sustainability strategy and EU net-zero goals.

Some destinations are visited. Others leave a lasting impression.

Cruise Atlantic Islands is far more than a collection of ports. It is a maritime corridor linking Madeira, the Azores, Cape Verde and the Canary Islands under a shared Atlantic identity. A region where the ocean does not divide, but instead connects cultures, landscapes and experiences that inspire travellers at every port of call.

As President of Cruise Atlantic Islands, I have the privilege of representing an alliance that demonstrates how cooperation between destinations is the most effective way to shape the future of cruise tourism.