Today, November 15, the Multipurpose Hall of Molo Ichnusa hosted the highly anticipated annual press conference to mark the closure of the 2023 cruise season at Cagliari Cruise Port. This event brought together key figures from the local maritime and tourism sectors, including Dr. Raffaella Del Prete, General Manager of Italian Ports GPH, Massimo Deiana, President of the Port Authority of the Sea of Sardinia, and Alessandro Sorgia, Assessor for Productive Activities, Tourism, and Territorial Promotion.
The press conference highlighted the remarkable results achieved during the 2023 season, underscoring the port’s full recovery to pre-COVID levels. This year, Cagliari Cruise Port welcomed a total of 101 cruise calls and hosted over 390,000 passengers, a significant milestone reflecting the return of international cruise tourism to the island.
Among the standout achievements was the impressive participation of Costa Cruises, which made 33 landings between April and November, further strengthening Cagliari’s position as a premier Mediterranean cruise destination. Another major highlight was the exciting return of MSC Cruises, marking the end of a three-year absence. MSC will now call on Cagliari every week starting from December 18, 2023, a clear sign of renewed confidence in the port.
Looking ahead, 2024 is set to be an even more successful year, with forecasts predicting 153 calls from 32 different companies and 21 maiden calls. This growth further establishes Cagliari as a key destination in the Mediterranean cruise landscape, attracting a diverse range of prestigious cruise lines.
Raffaella Del Prete, General Manager of Cagliari Cruise Port, expressed her optimism for the upcoming year: “The forecasts for 2024 are extremely promising, and we expect to surpass the 2017 record by hosting over 500,000 cruise passengers. This success is the result of the continued commitment and collaboration between Cagliari Cruise Port, the Port Authority of the Sea of Sardinia, and local authorities, who have all worked tirelessly to position our city and port as a must-visit destination.”
With a solid foundation in place, Cagliari Cruise Port is set to embark on another year of growth and success, continuing to welcome international guests to experience the unique charm of Sardinia.
