Greek cruises are experiencing a period of explosive growth, continuing the momentum of 2024, which was another record year in passenger and ship arrivals. Against the backdrop of the country’s growing popularity as a cruise destination, forecasts for 2025 predict even greater growth, with pre-bookings showing an increase of over 10%.
According to INSETE’s statistical bulletin, 2024 closed with 7.9 million passenger disembarkations, recording a 13% increase compared to 2023. At the same time, cruise ship arrivals amounted to 5,490, showing a 5% increase.
Top ports
- Piraeus: Maintained its leading position, with 1.7 million passenger arrivals (+15%) and 810 cruise ship arrivals (+7%).
- Santorini: Despite a 6% decrease in cruise ship arrivals, the number of passengers increased to 1.3 million (+4%).
- Mykonos: Recorded 1.3 million passenger arrivals (+8%) and a 3% increase in ship arrivals.
- Corfu: Recorded the largest percentage increase in passenger arrivals (+22%), reaching 816,000.
- Heraklion: Impressive increase of 35%, with a total of 519,000 passengers.
- Rhodes: Despite a 6% decrease in ship arrivals, passenger arrivals increased by 1%, reaching 458,000.
- Katakolo: A Small increase of 3% in passenger arrivals (400,000).
- Chania (Souda): A Significant increase of 29%, with 280,000 passengers.
- Kefalonia – Ithaca: Increase of 16%, with 186,000 passenger arrivals.
- Lavrio: 146,000 passenger arrivals were recorded (+19%).
It is worth noting that 72% of cruise ship arrivals and 90% of passenger arrivals were concentrated in these 10 ports.
Record bookings for 2025
The outlook for 2025 is extremely positive, with bookings data showing double-digit growth. Strategic investments in infrastructure and technology by major ports such as Piraeus and Thessaloniki are strengthening Greece’s attractiveness for major cruise lines.
The year started strongly, with MSC Sinfonia calling at Piraeus as early as January, planning 52 arrivals in 2025. At the same time, MSC Cruises has scheduled a total of 110 arrivals at the port of Piraeus, with the ships MSC Fantasia, MSC Armonia and the luxurious Explora I.
Thessaloniki is expected to host 20 different cruise ships from 14 leading companies, with 10 of them visiting the port for the first time. The season started in February with Celebrity Cruises’s Celebrity Infinity.
Mykonos is forecasting around 900 cruise ship arrivals in 2025, with more than 1.5 million passengers, up from 768 arrivals and 1,290,000 passengers in 2024.
Santorini continues to be a top destination, and despite the intense seismic activity in February, the first three ship calls have already taken place and the schedule is expected to progress as normal.
Even smaller destinations are seeing increased arrivals. Katakolo, for example, already has 261 cruise ship arrivals scheduled for 2025, compared to 217 in 2024.
The success factors of Greek cruising
The continuous rise of cruising in Greece is due to many factors:
Strategic Investments: Major ports are investing in improving infrastructure, upgrading their capabilities to serve larger ships and more passengers.
Homeporting: Greece is establishing itself as a homeporting hub, with Piraeus exceeding 1 million passengers embarking or disembarking from cruise ships.
Expansion of the cruise season: The season is extending beyond summer, with cruise ship arrivals even in winter.
Adapting to international trends: Companies are responding to the demand for luxury travel, more sustainable practices and unique experiences for passengers.
RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report
