Lisbon Port Strike: Cruise Changes Through Friday
Key points
- MSC Divina moves Lisbon embarkation to Málaga, coaches provided
- Ambassador Ambience skips Lisbon, calls A Coruña instead
- Strike window runs Oct. 23-24, 00:00-24:00 WEST
- Next strike windows: Oct. 27-28 and Oct. 31-Nov. 1
- Minimum service rules apply at affected ports
A two-day strike by Portugal's port-administration workers disrupted cruise operations in Lisbon, Portugal, on October 23-24, 2025. Through Friday night, confirmed changes include MSC Divina canceling its Lisbon call and moving embarkation to Málaga, Spain, with complimentary coaches arranged between Lisbon and Málaga, and Ambassador Ambience dropping Lisbon and calling at A Coruña, Spain, instead. Minimum service rules apply, but normal turnaround functions in Lisbon were limited during the strike period (1200 a.m.-1200 a.m., 0000-2400 WEST). Travelers should monitor cruise-line messages and adjust plans accordingly.
Port of Lisbon, strike impacts
What happened Friday, October 24:
- MSC Divina: Lisbon embarkation canceled; the ship remained alongside in Málaga to complete boarding. MSC arranged complimentary coach transfers for embarking and disembarking guests between Lisbon and Málaga, and offered free rebooking or a full refund.
- Ambassador Ambience: The ship skipped Lisbon and used A Coruña as a substitute call during the strike period.
For context and earlier day-one changes, see our running update: Portugal Port Strike Shifts Lisbon Cruise Calls Oct. 23-24.
Latest developments
The strike is part of a staged series of 48-hour actions that pause key port-administration services on the mainland, including Lisbon. The union's notice sets additional 48-hour windows for next week: October 27-28 and October 31-November 1, running 0000-2400 each day. Lines may continue to reroute calls or adjust turnarounds during these windows.
Analysis
Turnaround ports rely on pilots, mooring, traffic control, and terminal coordination. When those functions are curtailed under strike conditions, cruise lines either cancel calls, substitute ports, or relocate embarkation, as seen with Málaga and A Coruña. If you were due to board or disembark in Lisbon on October 23-24, allow for overland travel time, keep receipts for reasonable out-of-pocket costs, and confirm any independent tours for cancellation or rebooking. Background: the National Union of Port Administration Workers called five 48-hour stoppages over pay-scale and hourly-rate issues, impacting mainland port administrations; minimum service decisions apply but do not guarantee normal cruise operations.
Final thoughts
Lisbon port strike disruptions on October 23-24 forced MSC Divina's embarkation move to Málaga and rerouted Ambassador Ambience to A Coruña. With more 48-hour strike windows slated October 27-28 and October 31-November 1, travelers with near-term Lisbon plans should watch for further cruise line updates and be ready to pivot.