Istanbul sees a 50% rise in cruise companies choosing it as a main port, reflecting Turkey's growing cruise tourism sector.
Cruise tourism continues its growth in May 2026, with a 50% increase in the number of companies designating Istanbul as their main port.
The General Directorate of Maritime Affairs announced the cruise statistics for the period of May 2026 and the January-May period. The data revealed that Turkey is maintaining its growth in cruise tourism.
STRONG GROWTH IN MAY
According to this data, the number of cruise ships arriving at Turkish ports in May 2026 increased by 14.2% compared to the same period last year, reaching 169. The number of cruise passengers also rose by 10.8%, totaling 257,897.
In the January-May period, the increase compared to the same period last year was 2.2%, with the number of ships arriving at the ports reported as 324. The number of passengers increased by 3.9%, reaching 455,580. During this period, after Kuşadası, Istanbul ports hosted the highest number of cruise ships. A significant portion of the 66 ships that arrived in Istanbul in the first five months used it as a starting or ending point rather than a stopover port.
ISTANBUL BECOMES A CENTRAL HUB IN CRUISE TOURISM
As MSC Cruises, Costa Crociere, and AROYA Cruises expand their operations based in Istanbul, the number of cruise companies using Istanbul as their main port has increased by 50% compared to the period between 2023-2025. Factors such as strong airline connections, modern port infrastructure, quick customs and passport processing, security standards, and the attractiveness of the destination play a decisive role in cruise companies choosing a port as their main base. Istanbul, which can offer a majority of these features simultaneously, is outpacing its competitors in this field.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
