Heraklion Port Authority S.A. has released its cruise traffic figures for 2025, indicating continued growth and confirming the port’s role as a stable call within the Eastern Mediterranean cruise network.
During the year, the port handled 536,543 cruise passengers, compared with 518,575 in 2024, representing an increase of 3.46%. Cruise vessel calls rose to 281 from 266 in the previous year, an increase of 5.64%. In numerical terms, this amounted to nearly 18,000 additional passengers and 15 more ship calls, reflecting a gradual expansion in activity and sustained deployment by cruise operators.
A notable characteristic of the 2025 season was improved performance outside the traditional summer peak. Traffic in February showed a marked increase, June recorded higher passenger volumes, and the autumn months strengthened further, with October registering particularly strong results in both calls and passenger throughput. This development is consistent with the wider industry shift toward extending the cruise season and distributing traffic more evenly across the calendar year.
The composition of passenger source markets continued to demonstrate Heraklion’s broad international profile. Germany remained the largest market, accounting for 26.88% of passengers, followed by the United States at 23.92% and the United Kingdom at 13%. Additional traffic from Spain, Italy, Canada, and Australia contributed to a diversified passenger base, supporting the port’s resilience and long-term market positioning.
The port authority indicated that the 2025 figures reflected ongoing efforts to maintain Heraklion as a dependable cruise destination with consistent service standards. The organisation reported that its strategic focus remains on operational preparedness, passenger and partner service quality, enhancement of the overall destination offering, and continued coordination with cruise lines and local stakeholders in order to sustain and strengthen cruise activity in the years ahead.