USS Gerald R. Ford anchors off Palma – What the Stop Means for Mallorca

Massive hull in sight: A carrier entering the bay

From October 3 to October 8, the USS Gerald R. Ford will lie off Palma. Not a cruise carrier, not a luxury liner – a 337-meter-long warship, nuclear-powered, and with around 4,500 crew members on board. If you stroll along the Paseo Marítimo, you will feel the shadow of this colossus, even though it cannot come directly to the quay: with a draft of over twelve meters it stays at a distance.

What stands out at first glance

Many here speak as if they have seen a movie. The tech on board – electromagnetic catapults, F‑35s and F/A‑18 jets – sounds like the future. In practice, that means: additional ships in the bay, more police at the port, and a slight nervousness in the cafés when soldiers appear in small groups. I heard two taxi drivers yesterday at a harbor promenade café joking about whether the guys in Palmanova would rather go to the restaurant or to the electronics shop.

Security and discretion

The authorities are preparing. Police, Guardia Civil and port authorities are informed, bus transfer routes are planned, and there is hope to keep possible protests calm. That is reassuring in some ways, but raises questions: How much will be publicly disclosed? And to what extent should local people be informed, without causing panic?

A tangible economic effect

Economically, one expects noticeable spending: estimates run into several million euros that the crew could spend during the stay. Hotels, restaurants, taxi drivers, boutiques and tour operators will benefit. In recent years, similar stops have affected places like Palmanova and Magaluf; excursions to Deià, Valldemossa or the Serra de Tramuntana are highly popular.

And yet: not everything is money. There are residents who feel disturbed by the increased presence, and traders who would prefer predictable guests rather than short-term fluctuations.

A symbol in turbulent times

The arrival falls in a period of tense international relations. For some, the carrier is a sign of security; for others, a warning of how close military power can come to our shores. On a clear morning, when I was walking along Portixol, two people discussed whether the signal was more calming or disturbing. They agreed on one point only: there will be conversations.

Whether you view the visit with pride, concern, or pragmatism – Palma will tick differently for a week. For those planning: the big hotels check occupancy and transfers, merchants check opening hours, and the city administration checks security. For all of us it remains exciting to observe how such a short but noticeable visit changes the island for a few days.