Norwegian Escape Makes First Call at Spain’s Port of Motril

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Escape made its first call at Motril on Spain’s Costa Tropical on Thursday, October 8, carrying approximately 3,962 passengers. The 164,998-gross-ton ship was among the largest cruise vessels to visit the Granada province port.

The arrival came during a season expected to bring 73 calls from 14 cruise lines and 126,746 passengers to Motril. Both totals would exceed the port’s previous records.

“The capacity and potential of the port of Motril to host cruise ship calls are very clear,” said Jose Garcia Fuentes, chairperson of the Motril Port Authority.

Royal Clipper was also in port, carrying 200 passengers. The five-masted sailing ship is a regular visitor, with 25 calls at Motril. Garcia Fuentes described its operation as “a completely different way of sailing compared to large ships.”

Shuttle buses and excursions across two provinces

Motril’s municipal government and the port arranged 14 buses operating in five shifts throughout the morning to carry passengers between the quayside and the town centre. The passenger terminal is approximately four kilometres from central Motril, a journey of about 10 minutes by taxi.

The port is a working industrial area where walking between the berth and town is generally discouraged because of traffic and limited pedestrian infrastructure. Motril operates mainly as a port of call, and passengers normally embark and complete their voyages elsewhere.

Passengers visiting Granada province travelled to Salobrena, Almunecar, La Herradura, Cerro Gordo, Velez-Benaudalla and the Alpujarra. Excursions into Malaga province included the Axarquia, while coach trips also took visitors to Malaga city and Antequera.

Motril tourism councillor Mari Angeles Escamez said the town “has become a popular destination.” She pointed to new tourism developments, including announced hotels already under construction, and said the municipality aims to promote its culture, heritage and cuisine.

Norwegian Escape’s itinerary included New York, Halifax, Sydney, Ponta Delgada, Funchal and Gibraltar. After Motril, the ship continued toward Melilla, where it was scheduled to arrive early Friday, before proceeding to Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca and Barcelona.

Season totals set to exceed earlier records

Motril’s previous annual call record was 42, set in 2025, making the scheduled total a 73.8% increase. Its earlier passenger record was 58,900 in 2024; the current forecast is more than twice that figure.

The season’s schedule includes 12 first-time visits by ships or cruise operators and 61 repeat calls. Of the total visits, 25 fall within the luxury, premium or expedition segments, while the other 48 are in the standard or contemporary categories, served by medium-sized ships.

A new cruise terminal is under construction to increase passenger capacity and improve facilities. Existing passenger facilities within the port are shared with ferry operations and include waiting areas and customs and immigration capability.

The cruise season opened in April and is scheduled to conclude in November. Le Champlain is due to make the final call on November 24.

See current Norwegian Escape fares and itineraries on Cruise Lookup.