Cruise Ships Skip Cádiz Again Amid Labor Protests

For the second time in just seven days, a major cruise vessel has bypassed the port of Cádiz as ongoing labor strikes continue to disrupt the region’s maritime and tourism operations.

The P&O Cruises ship Ventura, which carries more than 3,000 passengers, was originally scheduled to dock in Cádiz from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday during a 14-day voyage that includes a stop in Lisbon. However, in the early hours of the morning, cruise agent Cadiship confirmed that the visit had been cancelled due to “security concerns” linked to persistent strikes by metalworkers in the Bay of Cádiz.

Tourism Revenue Takes a Hit as Ships Reroute

City authorities estimate that the last-minute cancellation has cost the local economy over €100,000 in lost tourism income. Cádiz relies heavily on cruise visitors to sustain its local businesses. This decision follows a similar one made by another Carnival Corporation vessel, Arvia, which also opted to bypass Cádiz days earlier, resulting in an even greater loss of around €250,000 for the city.

Strikes in Ship Repair Sector Stir Industry Concerns

The protests stem from workers in the metal industry, many of whom are employed in Cádiz’s vital ship repair services, including the state-run Navantia shipyard. With no resolution in sight, officials responsible for the port and local tourism are growing increasingly concerned. Once seen as one of the most secure and inviting cruise destinations in Europe, Cádiz now risks damaging its image during the height of the summer cruise season.

Industrial Action Forces Cruise Ship Out of Dry Dock

The impact of the strikes isn’t limited to cruise schedules alone. Earlier in the month, Carnival Cruise Line had to pull the Carnival Liberty out of dry dock mid-renovation at Navantia due to halted operations. The vessel had entered the yard in early June for mechanical upgrades and a full interior refurbishment. With work stalled by union-led strikes, Carnival made the decision to remove the ship prematurely—disrupting planned itineraries and leaving several million euros worth of shipyard work incomplete.