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Beginning in April, Alicante hosts two to three ships per week to kick off the cruise season

Alicante Harbour

The cruise terminal at Alicante Port is getting ready to welcome tourists for the 2025 season, hoping to set a new record. Although they are theoretically larger and more capacious, the 100 tourist ships that are scheduled to arrive are essentially the same number as those that were reached in 2024, when over 230,000 people were reached. According to this newspaper, the Seabourn Sojourn, a ship operated by the Seabourn Cruise Line shipping firm, is expected to land this Sunday, March 2nd, with about 435 passengers on board. This stopover will serve as the campaign’s launchpad. We will have to wait until March 31st for the second visit, when Marella Cruises’ Marella Explorer 2, which will be carrying 1,723 guests, arrives.

With the oddity that 16 double stops (two ships docking at the terminal simultaneously) and even a triple one, scheduled for August 1, when the simultaneous arrival of the MSC Virtuosa, the MSC Música, and the Silver Whisper (in this third case, a smaller passenger ship) is expected to bring in approximately 10,000 cruise passengers in a single day, this milestone will actually be the one that kicks off the bulk of a program with visits from two to three ships each week after two blank months (January and February).

In actuality, MSC bears a great deal of the blame for these preliminary numbers—the schedule is always subject to potential changes owing to cancellations or new confirmations—and its reaffirmed dedication to using Alicante as a base port for embarkations and disembarkations on one of its Mediterranean itineraries (20 out of 32 stops) for the fourth season in a row since it first introduced this experience in the summer of 2022. However, it won’t be the sole protagonist. Throughout the year, Carnival UK offers up to eleven stops, while Regent Seven Seas Cruises has scheduled an additional seven. The addition of the Queen Anne ship, which can accommodate 2,846 passengers, and the Cunard shipping company, which will make two stops in August and October, as well as the debut of ships from companies like Saga Cruises, Scenic Cruises, Emerald Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Ambassador Cruise Line, or Royal Caribbean that have not yet made a stop in Alicante, are also considered new elements.

Purchase the “luxury” ticket.


According to these preliminary projections, 2025 is expected to end with a record of at least 234,659 passengers, 19.7% higher than the 196,058 recorded in 2023, according to Puertos del Estado’s provisional annual statistics at the end of 2024. According to current projections, 2025 may see a minimum of 232,000 passengers, though this could rise based on each ship’s occupancy rate. After the improvement and modernisation projects completed by its concessionaire company, Global Ports Holding (GPH), in collaboration with Servicios Portuarios Canarios (GPH), there will be the incentive of a refurbished maritime terminal with new amenities like baggage control scanners and additional passenger check-in counters.

After having to be postponed last November due to the Dana tragedy that devastated nearly a hundred towns in the province of Valencia, this intervention, which has involved renovating the facilities and aesthetics of the maritime station with an investment of more than two million, will be launched at an official opening ceremony set for May 23rd.

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But in addition to continuing to grow in numbers, GPH and the Port Authority are also attempting to invest in a different cruise market in an effort to attract high-end tourists who will bring in more money while visiting the capital or any other province municipality to which they can go after planning an excursion, or who are looking for unusual experiences that are not available elsewhere. This would entail making a qualitative change to ensure a larger economic impact—current estimates show that cruise activity brings in 60 million dollars for the province—without running the risk of a hypothetical flow saturation scenario, where too many passengers arrive in the province concentrated on the same routes. Based on the advice and information service provided by the Alicante Costa Blanca Tourism and Cruises Association (ALCTC) at the ship’s door, this option also permits advancement in other business domains, such as the area of company investments or house acquisitions.

Other tourist areas, like Cartagena, have actually already started to follow this road, despite the fact that they also continue to have double-digit annual growth, albeit with fewer visitors overall than Alicante. In this instance, 2024 ended with 219,432 visits, a 16.9% increase over 2023’s total of 187,768 at the time. As of right now, the Port Authority anticipates that about one-third of the 100 stopovers scheduled for 2025 will fall into the luxury cruise market. Examples of these include the Seabourn Sojourn, a luxury cruise ship with 435 passengers on board, which is scheduled to call at the Port this Sunday, and the Scenic Eclipse, a modern ship built in 2018 with 228 passengers that is designed to navigate through polar regions and offers expedition trips around the world.


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Man arrested in Alcoy for stealing women’s underwear

National Police Car

A man has been arrested in Alcoy (Alicante) for allegedly stealing personal belongings and pants from a home that is shared by three young women.

The man is purported to have entered the girls’ flat on two separate occasions by climbing through a window.

After two of the young women submitted a complaint, the investigation commenced, as they observed that some of their belongings were missing from their rooms, and there were no apparent signs of forced entry.

One of the victims returned to the police station several days later to report that she had observed a man leap from the window of her apartment to the window of the building across the street.

The police were contacted after the incident was discussed with her friends. Prior to doing so, they obtained additional information by consulting with one of the administrators of the sheltered flat where the suspect lived.

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Finally, the police were able to identify and apprehend the alleged criminal, as well as recover the stolen items, which included numerous pants.


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Four arrested in Torrevieja with a kilogramme of ketamine

The Torrevieja Citizen Security Unit (USECIC) conducted two operations on consecutive days, resulting in the arrest of 7 individuals for drug trafficking.

Four arrests and the seizure of a kilo of ketamine in the centre of Torrevieja were the outcomes of one of the two operations.

The incident transpired on March 23rd at 1:00 p.m. A vehicle that was travelling in the opposite direction entered a central street while officers from the Torrevieja Citizen Security Unit (USECIC) were conducting a crime prevention service in the town. The vehicle was subsequently stop. When they requested the driver’s credentials, he denied possessing a driver’s licence and presented a photograph of a licence that was purportedly issued in Colombia. After conducting a comprehensive inspection of the vehicle and its occupants, the officers proceeded to identify the remaining individuals.

Upon examining the vehicle’s interior, they discovered a dose of pink cocaine in the glove compartment, as well as over €1,000 in cash, which was further divided into bills of varying denominations. Another small bag of cocaine was discovered among the personal possessions of the woman who was travelling in the passenger seat. The remaining two passengers were discovered to be in possession of an additional €300 in cash and a kilo of ketamine, which they had concealed within a rucksack.

Guardia Civil officers also confirmed that the driver’s license photo provided by the driver was tampered with and that he did not possess a driver’s license.

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The four individuals, two men aged 26 and 27, and two women aged 28 and 43, are of Colombian descent and have been apprehended for narcotic trafficking. The driver is also charged with a traffic violation for falsifying documents and travelling without a licence.

A total of 1 kilogramme of ketamine, 8 grammes of pink cocaine, also known as “tusi,” 1,495 euros, several mobile phones, and the vehicle used to commit the offences were seized.

An additional three individuals were apprehended for narcotic trafficking during a search of the AP7.

However, the previous day, March 22nd, officers from the same Unit had apprehended three additional individuals: two men aged 31 and 35, and a 34-year-old woman. These individuals are being accused with a separate drug trafficking offence, in which the Civil Guard seized 150 grammes of cocaine and 2,415 euros.

The seven detainees have been released on parole, and the Investigating Court No. 4 of Torrevieja has received the proceedings for both cases.

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Beckhams former bodyguard found dead on Alicante coast

Craig Ainsworth, the bodyguard who served as the protector of luminaries including the Beckhams, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Zendaya, was discovered deceased in the Valencian town of Lliria on Sunday. The former British police officer’s lifeless body was discovered by two men who were strolling through San Vicente municipal park. They immediately raised the alarm.

A day prior to his suicide, Ainsworth, who was 40 years old, posted a farewell message on his Facebook profile: “Goodbye, beautiful people.” Living is the most uncommon phenomenon on Earth. This will come as a surprise to the majority of you; however, my suffering has been immense for the past four years (…).

Two patrols from the Lliria Local Police and one from the Guardia Civil responded to the alert that a man had hanged himself in the municipal area. Additionally, a physician and a team of firefighters were present.

An inspection was conducted by the initial officers on the scene, and no criminal evidence was discovered. The documents discovered within a rucksack located a few metres from the body were used to identify Ainsworth.

Officers located the rental car that the bodyguard used to travel from Dénia to Lliria in the municipal parking area. Before the body was transported to the Valencia Institute of Legal Medicine for an autopsy, a second investigation was conducted in the pine forest by a team from the Lliria Guardia Civil’s Judicial Police.

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The vehicle was also examined by specialists from the armed institute, who discovered no evidence that anyone had accompanied Ainsworth in the car from Dénia to Lliria. The Civil Guard’s investigations indicate that he made the decision to commit suicide without the assistance of anyone.

In an effort to locate her son, Ainsworth’s mother had utilised social media platforms. The individual who served in the military was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. After being informed by an acquaintance of her daughter about the potential location of the bodyguard’s phone, the woman travelled to the Lliria area.

Life’s Challenges
However, what was the reason for his suicide? He elaborates on several of the challenges that life presented to him in his departure letter: “I lost some truly amazing people I was proud to call friends and colleagues, particularly Ryan and Jamie, who were like brothers to me, and the lockdown (from the pandemic) destroyed everything I had built.”

In his final remarks, he expresses his gratitude for his family and friends, as well as his rebuke of those who attacked and humiliated him. “I lived the life of ten men.” I lived with a pure spirit and good intentions (…). I made an effort to spread positivity and assist others. Another paragraph of the ex-marine’s letter states, “My confidence has been shattered by everyone who speaks about me without interacting with me.”

“I urge anyone who is contemplating self-harm to seek assistance.” Please refrain from copying me, as you are unaware of the ordeals I have endured. Those who are most closely associated with me will be delighted that I have discovered tranquillity. The bodyguard suggests, “Consider that.”

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Ainsworth had a wealth of experience in private security and had served as a police officer in the United Kingdom. He safeguarded the Beckhams from threats and hazards, including obsessive fans, and accompanied the couple to public events and on travels while serving as their bodyguard.

He is described by his professional associates as a discreet and experienced bodyguard who maintained a close relationship with the Beckhams. Additionally, he safeguarded other public figures and personalities, including Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Hemsworth.


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Fearless Juan and the Haunted House
January 11, 2025    
17:00 - 18:30
A children’s musical will take to the stage of the Torrevieja Municipal Theatre, in which the Martin family is worried. Their son, Juan, doesn't know [...]
Bryan Adams in Concert in Seville
January 16, 2025    
21:00 - 22:30
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Bryan Adams in Concert in Valencia
January 19, 2025    
21:00 - 22:30
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TARAB - Film Symphony Orchestra in Murcia
January 24, 2025    
20:00 - 22:00
TARAB - Film Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert of classic film scores in Murcia on 24 January 2025 at the Victor Villegas Auditorium. The [...]
TARAB - Film Symphony Orchestra in Alicante
January 25, 2025    
11:30 - 13:30
TARAB - Film Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert of classic film scores in Alicante on 25 January 2025 at the ADDA, with 2 shows [...]
TARAB - Film Symphony Orchestra in Cartagena
January 26, 2025    
18:30 - 20:30
TARAB - Film Symphony Orchestra will perform a concert of classic film scores in Cartagena on 26 January 2025 at the Batel. The ecstasy of [...]
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - The Musical in Murcia
January 30, 2025 - February 2, 2025    
All Day
From the silver screen to the stage, via a big silver bus, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert comes to Murcia with the Spanish stage show [...]
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