The 2026 cruise season at the Port of Ancona (Italy) commenced with the arrival of Viking Star from Venice on February 19th, inaugurating an eleven-month programme of scheduled calls that is projected to comprise 45 vessel visits through to early December. The return of Viking Star at both the opening and closing of the calendar reflects the prominence of the Swiss-flagged operator’s premium, culturally oriented itineraries that are seen as complementing the historical and architectural character of Ancona and the wider Marche area.
Following this initial call, operations are expected to continue with a series of regular calls by MSC Lirica from early April, with weekly arrivals maintained until late October as part of a broader schedule of 30 MSC Cruises port visits, reaffirming the port’s established role within Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries.
The season’s programme also encompasses a diversified mix of operators beyond the two principal lines, with calls planned by Marella Cruises, Ponant, Club Med, and Polar Cruises, including inaugural visits by several vessels that have not previously docked at Ancona, a development seen as enhancing the destination’s appeal to both cruise lines and passengers.
The extended cruise calendar aligns with port authority objectives to sustain activity across much of the year and to integrate cruise traffic into the regional tourism economy, contributing to competitive positioning within the wider Mediterranean cruise market.