Costa Mediterranea the biggest ship to ever visit Alanya docked in Alanya Cruise Port today May 19.
An official ceremony welcomed her arrival and traditional plaque exchanges were conducted between Mr Pier Luigi Foschi Chairman & CEO of Costa the ship’s officers and officials from Alanya and Italy.
The 1976-passenger ship arrived in Alanya early this morning on an eleven-day Mediterranean Highlights cruise from Limassol to Santorini. She will call at Alanya 6 times in 2011. Her maiden call follows first-time visits of Artania Seabourn Pride Seven Seas Voyager Island Escape Boudicca and Astor.
Norwegian Jade is also among the increasing number of large cruise ships booked at the port.Thomson Celebration Minerva and Insignia all made maiden visits in March April or May.
New Eastern Mediterranean winter cruise itineraries are creating a boom for Alanya. Between November 2011 and March 2012 34 cruise calls are already scheduled compared to 4 last winter and a total of 38 cruise calls are scheduled for Alanya between March and December this year.
The increasing popularity of Alanya as a transit port is further demonstrated by the 43 cruise calls already scheduled for 2012.
Costa Mediterranea in Alanya Turkey
