US aircraft carrier anchors in Palma Bay: restaurants report record sales

Big Ship, Full Tables: Palma Feels the Visit

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Since Friday, a US aircraft carrier has been anchored in Palma Bay. The behemoth, which offers space for about 4,500 people, has transformed the usually quiet mornings at Playa de Palma into lively afternoons. For many hosts and merchants it's like a lightning start to the week: tables are rearranged at short notice, reservations via WhatsApp surge, and the kitchen team works with visible fighting spirit.

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Where You Notice It

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The impact is not limited to the beach. Walkers report a crowded Paseo Marítimo, and in the Old Town the street cafés at Plaça Major and in Carrer de Sant Miquel are noticeably livelier. Shopping centers like Porto Pi and Mallorca Fashion Outlet report more foot traffic than on typical October days. Even the small Terreno district, usually an oasis for residents, has taken on a near festival-like atmosphere on some evenings.

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“We have been booked for days,” says the operator of a tapas bar who prefers to remain anonymous. “The crew enjoys shifts: mornings for coffee and croissants, midday for a large menu, and in the evenings many seek something quieter — but with good paella.”

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Trade and Tourism Associations Report Positive Effects

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Merchants and tourism service providers on the island confirm the observations: additional guests mean temporarily higher revenues in gastronomy and retail. Many shops have extended opening hours to profit from the influx. At the same time there are noticeable logistical challenges: delivery times shift, and some parking spaces are temporarily tighter.

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On the horizon the carrier appears as a dark silhouette, beacon lenses blinking, and in the cafés people talk less about the weather than about whether it will continue next week. For some it's a welcome boost in an often volatile business, for others a reminder of how quickly sentiment can change on the island.

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A Temporary Upswing

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The aircraft carrier remains in the bay until Wednesday — enough time to generate a noticeable weekly turnover, but too short to expect lasting changes. Many restaurateurs see this as a welcome pause before the quieter off-season. And yes: anyone still hoping for a spontaneous table should call ahead.

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Curious aside: On Saturday around 9 p.m., a mechanical chorus of cutlery and laughter briefly sounded along the promenade — apparently an improvised spit-roast grill that drew a line in minutes. Such scenes linger: a bit loud, a bit unplanned, but very Mallorcan.

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Overall the carrier's visit remains an unusual but predominantly positive event for Palma's gastronomy and retail — a day when the island briefly shines in the spotlight in a different way.