Cruises, 2024 will be record-breaking: over 260 ships with 650 thousand passengers are expected in Sardinia

Over 260 large ships ready to dock in Sardinia during 2024, with "at least 650 thousand passengers" on board.

These are the forecasts for the next few months on the island's cruise market , the calendars of which have just been published on the AdSP institutional website and which confirm the growth trend .

The year just ended totaled approximately 438 thousand cruise passengers (344 thousand at the port of Cagliari, approximately 80 thousand in that of Olbia, just under 2,400 at Golfo Aranci, approximately one thousand and five hundred at Porto Torres, almost 150 at Arbatax and approximately 7,400 at Oristano) with a doubling of volumes compared to 2022.

The one just inaugurated - which is already running at full speed with MSC's winter calls in the port of the Sardinian capital - envisages, however, 177 landings in Cagliari (75 more than in 2023), 75 in Olbia (29 more), 5 on Golfo Aranci, 3 on Porto Torres and 2 on Oristano (same landings as last year).

Data still partial, to which will be added, in the coming weeks, other bookings for Arbatax and further additions to the calendar.

CAGLIARI – Among the new features, the return of MSC to Cagliari, with calls throughout the year for the ships Orchestra, Musica, Lirica and Explora (the latest addition to the company's luxury segment called Explora Journeys). Confirmations also for the Carnival group which returns with the weekly calls of the Costa Smeralda of Costa Crociere, with the Aida and the Seabourn; Also present were Norwegian Cruise Line, Marella, Tui Cruises and all the main shipping groups operating in the exclusive cruise sector.

OLBIA – As regards Olbia, however, the season is enriched by the calls of Costa Crociere which, with the Pacifica, adds to the scheduled calls of the MSC Orchestra, the Marella Explorer and other brands in the luxury segment such as Regent, Azamara and Silver Sea. Confirmed, in this first edition of the cruise calendar, are the companies scheduled in Porto Torres (Renaissance by Compagnie Française de Croisières and Island Sky by Noble Caledonia) and Golfo Aranci (Ovation and Sojourn by Seabourn).

ORISTANO – As far as Oristano is concerned, however, the ports of call on the calendar are those of the Marella Cruise Line (with the Marella Explorer) and the Vasco da Gama of the German luxury company Nicko Cruises which, during the season, will also call at Cagliari and Olbia.

«Although this is a first version of the seasonal calendar, we can already say that 2024 will be the record year for cruises in our system ports», explains Massimo Deiana, president of the Adsp of the Sea of Sardinia.

(Unioneonline/lf)