Nearly 1.5 million passengers welcomed Turkey’s 18 cruise ports through the end of August 2025, marking the highest number of arrivals in the last 12 years, establishing the country as a top cruise destination.
This year, the number of passengers disembarking in the country increased by 56% compared to 2023 and by 18% compared to 2024. In August alone, Turkey’s ports welcomed 357,646 passengers – a record number that is the highest monthly passenger total ever recorded.
Alongside this increase in passenger numbers, the number of cruises has increased by 17%, reaching 878 this year compared to 753 in 2024. It is worth noting that an increasing number of voyages are now using Turkish ports as base ports, which means that visitors from international destinations are spending more time in the country, further boosting the national economy.
Turkey is set to surpass its target of 600,000 passengers by the end of the season, achieving a 130% increase compared to last year, after a historic peak in the first eight months of the year. The steady growth of cruise tourism is supported by new routes, continued investment and enhanced port infrastructure, which together help attract more cruise travel agents and encourage cruise passengers to stay longer in Turkey.
New routes boost economy
Cruise tourism not only increases overall tourism revenues, but also brings significant economic and cultural vitality to ports across the country. With the addition of the cities of ?anakkale, Sinop, Trabzon, Samsun and Marmaris, alongside established hubs such as Ku?adas? and Istanbul, cruise routes are expanding and local economies are benefiting.
Looking to the future, Turkey’s continued investments in port infrastructure, combined with its unparalleled cultural heritage and natural beauty, promise to further enhance its role as a leading hub for global cruise tourism.
