Catania Cruise Port: News for 2022
The simultaneous presence of two ships on November 18th—Island Sky of Noble Caledonia and Azamara Journey of Azamara Cruises—not only marked the end of the 2021 cruise season in Catania but also seemed like a promising sign for 2022.
Indeed, Catania Cruise Port is set to welcome 101 ships from 25 different cruise brands next year, with over 160,000 passengers arriving from all around the world.
These numbers signal a clear recovery compared to the last two seasons (8 calls and 4,206 passengers in 2020, and 21 calls with 13,579 passengers in 2021) and, although still below pre-pandemic levels (113 calls and 208,509 passengers in 2019), they reward the Etna port for its operational capacity, demonstrated even during the most challenging moments of the recent industry crisis. It is worth noting that Catania Cruise Port was among the first ports to resume activities, also thanks to the “Safe Travel Stamp” awarded by the WTTC (World Travel & Tourism Council), which certifies the company’s commitment to managing and containing the pandemic through the strict application of health protocols.
Counterbalancing these positive prospects is the concerning regulatory situation in Italy regarding the cruise sector. While the laws enacted in 2020 allowed Italy to be one of the first countries to reopen to cruise traffic, in 2021 they resulted in severe restrictions on the cruise experience, especially compared to other Mediterranean destinations, as well as difficulties for cruise lines in including Italian ports in international itineraries.
This has also led to unprecedented volatility in scheduling by cruise companies. Before 2020, itineraries were defined and confirmed at least two years in advance, whereas now fleet deployments are revised almost weekly, depending on the epidemiological situation in destination countries or passengers’ countries of origin. Catania’s 2022 cruise schedule is no exception, still showing many uncertainties just weeks before the new season begins.
The currently available 2022 schedule again sees Costa Cruises leading as the port’s main client, with 32 calls expected between April and December, totaling over 80,000 passengers. Following are the German lines TUI Cruises and AIDA Cruises, with 15 and 16 calls respectively and about 50,000 passengers, confirming the strong German interest in the destination.
The new year will also mark an important milestone thanks to the positive collaboration with the Port System Authority: the construction of a new terminal, a need long recognized. The project foresees the creation of a modern, fully equipped facility of approximately 1,400 m², ensuring efficient, safe, and well-managed operations, while standing out for its strong eco-sustainability features, including fully recyclable materials, energy self-sufficiency from renewable sources, and advanced solutions for saving natural resources.
