The luxurious Ovation of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean, became the largest cruise ship to dock in Baja California when it arrived in Ensenada, according to state Tourism Minister Miguel Aguíñiga Rodríguez.
Royal Caribbean Group reported a 129% increase in arrivals (from 8 to 22) and a 202% surge in passenger numbers (over 82,000) in the first four months of 2025 compared to the same period last year. This solidifies the company as the second-largest cruise line in the region, accounting for about 21% of total cruise traffic.
Aguíñiga Rodríguez noted that between January and April of this year, Ensenada registered 112 cruise ship arrivals and 387,846 passengers. He added that the sector generates approximately $74.86 million USD for Baja California each year, as reported on the 2023–2024 Economic Impact Study of the Cruise Industry in Ensenada.
Additionally, he mentioned that projections from the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) estimate Ensenada will receive around 351 cruise arrivals and over 1.1 million passengers in 2025.
The Ovation of the Seas is a 348-meter-long vessel with capacity for approximately 4,800 passengers and 1,300 crew members. Five additional stops in Ensenada are scheduled for June: on the 2nd, 4th, 16th, 18th, and 30th.
The arrival of this ship boosts Baja California’s connectivity and contributes to the growth of sea passenger traffic. This milestone reflects the confidence of cruise lines in the region’s port infrastructure and tourism potential.
