Bodrum Cruise Port officially inaugurated its 2026 cruise season with the arrival of the cruise ship Astoria Grande, which berthed carrying 909 passengers and 445 crew members. The call marked the beginning of what port officials expect to be a busy year for cruise tourism in the Turkish resort destination.
For the 2026 season the port is scheduled to receive 119 cruise ship calls and is projected to welcome approximately 140,000 cruise passengers. In addition to cruise activity, ferry services linking Bodrum with nearby Greek islands are expected to carry a further 150,000 travellers, bringing the combined passenger throughput for the year close to 290,000.
The season will include a notable number of inaugural visits. A total of 19 vessels are scheduled to make maiden calls at the port, reflecting the destination’s increasing presence on international cruise itineraries. The programme also features a growing number of ultra-luxury operators, with calls planned from brands such as The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Four Seasons Yachts, Ponant and Emerald Cruises.
Alongside the luxury segment, the port continues to accommodate larger cruise operators. Aroya Cruises is scheduled to make 16 calls during the season, while Marella Cruises will visit 13 times. Additional highlights include calls by Scarlet Lady of Virgin Voyages and the first scheduled visit of AIDAblu operated by AIDA Cruises.
Aziz Güngör, regional director for the Eastern Mediterranean at Global Ports Holding, indicated that the port had reached a new stage in its international development. He explained that Bodrum was gradually evolving from a traditional port of call into a destination actively sought by leading cruise lines, adding that the increasing number of maiden visits and interest from luxury operators reflected the port’s rising profile in global cruise itineraries.
In parallel with operational growth, the port authority plans to continue community and environmental initiatives during the season. These include educational programmes aimed at increasing maritime awareness among local students and projects designed to support environmental protection in the surrounding coastal region.