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April 30, 2025

From April 7 to 10, 2025, MedCruise, the Association of Mediterranean Cruise Ports, played a prominent role at Seatrade Cruise Global 2025, held at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

This edition, particularly significant as it marked the 40th anniversary of the event, attracted over 11,000 participants, more than 600 exhibitors, and delegations from over 120 countries and 70 cruise lines. In this prestigious international setting, MedCruise reinforced its position as a leader in promoting sustainable development and cooperation across the Mediterranean region and beyond.

At Booth 1600, the vibrant heart of MedCruise’s presence at the fair, over 70 B2B meetings took place, involving port and associate members, representatives of the global cruise sector, and institutional stakeholders. These meetings served as an important platform to initiate business negotiations, exchange data between ports and cruise lines, and promote lesser-known destinations, thereby contributing concretely to a more equitable and balanced growth across the Mediterranean basin. The booth established itself as a strategic reference point for networking and discussions on key issues shaping the future of the Mediterranean cruise industry.

MedCruise’s weekly agenda included a series of official speeches, roundtables, presentations, and video interviews addressing highly topical themes such as environmental sustainability, local economic development, innovation in port infrastructure, and passenger experience. The commitment to sustainability went beyond discussion, materializing in joint actions and shared roadmaps, confirming the Association as a leading actor in the global dialogue on decarbonization, shore-side electrification, and responsible management of tourist flows.

On April 7, Theodora Riga, President of MedCruise and of the Port of Corfu, represented the Association during the World Cruise Tourism Summit: State of the Cruise Industry – Regional Updates from Around the World, illustrating MedCruise’s vision on key topics such as sustainable port development, innovative itinerary creation, and enhanced guest experiences. The session, moderated by Ioannis Bras, CEO of Five Senses Consulting & Development and MedCruise member, featured representatives from key areas including emerging Middle Eastern markets, the vibrant Caribbean, historic Mediterranean ports, and rich European itineraries, who discussed how they are addressing current opportunities and challenges for their destinations.

Also on April 7, the President took part, alongside Anne-Marie Spinosi (Senior Vice President of MedCruise and Cruise Manager of Corsica Ports) and Laura Cimaglia (Vice President of MedCruise and Director of General and International Affairs at the Port of Taranto), in a video interview organized by Seatrade Cruise Talks and moderated by Holly Payne, Deputy Editor of Seatrade Cruise News. The discussion focused on the crucial role of port associations in shaping the future of the cruise industry.

On April 8, Theodora Riga led the “Trends in the MED” session, providing updated data on cruise activity in the region, outlining ongoing initiatives, and defining future strategic priorities. The session was followed by a networking cocktail reception, encouraging further informal exchanges among participants.

During her presentation, Theodora Riga offered a comprehensive overview of the latest developments shaping the cruise industry, focusing on global, Mediterranean, and MedCruise-specific trends. A particularly notable insight was that MedCruise ports account for 21.6% of all global cruise sailings. It was also highlighted that 52% of cruise ships scheduled for delivery between 2025 and 2036 will be powered by alternative fuels — a clear indication of the industry’s commitment to sustainability.

Regarding the Mediterranean region, the President pointed out that of the 461 cruise ships expected to be in service worldwide in 2025, 183 will sail in the Mediterranean — an increase of 11 vessels compared to 2024. MedCruise ports, in particular, recorded significant growth: passenger movements increased by 9.23% from 2023 to 2024 and by 15.5% compared to 2019. Cruise calls also showed a positive trend, rising by 7.94% from 2023 to 2024 and by 16.37% over the five-year period since 2019.

The President also shared detailed data on regional and national trends within the MedCruise network, highlighting the Western Mediterranean as the top-performing area in terms of both passenger numbers and cruise calls. During the session, strategic initiatives launched by MedCruise since the beginning of Theodora Riga’s mandate in September 2024 were also outlined. These include two upcoming General Assemblies, scheduled for June in Cartagena, Spain, and September in Šibenik, Croatia. Projects such as MedCruise Insider were introduced, and the association’s growing impact and enhanced visibility were emphasized, thanks to intensified communication efforts across international media and social networks, as well as MedCruise’s active participation in major cruise industry events.

On the same day, Anne-Marie Spinosi took part in the panel “Advancing Sustainability in the Cruise Industry: Challenges, Solutions, and Collaborative Action,” engaging with other industry leaders on shared environmental challenges and long-term collaborative solutions. The panel brought together senior representatives from the sector to identify the distinctive characteristics of the concept of sustainability within the cruise ecosystem, with particular focus on its application to cruise lines, ports, and destinations. Sustainability was analyzed through its three main dimensions — environmental, social, and governance — highlighting how the decisions and practices of each stakeholder influence the others.

The session focused on identifying common and specific challenges, exploring practical solutions both at individual and collaborative levels, and discussing the potential impacts of inaction. The panel examined future priorities and strategies for better coordination among all stakeholders, concluding with a summary of key findings and concrete recommendations to be implemented.

On April 9th, Laura Cimaglia spoke during the session “Navigating Prosperity: The Economic Impact of Cruising on Local Economies,” highlighting the contribution of cruise tourism to the development of local economies and showcasing best practices and regional success stories. The session explored the significant economic impact of the cruise industry on local economies, emphasizing the vital role destinations have played in this symbiotic relationship. Discussions focused on how the cruise sector acted as a catalyst for economic activity in ports and surrounding areas, bringing benefits to local businesses and stimulating infrastructure development. Case studies were examined where collaborations between cruise lines and destinations led to solid economic growth, highlighting best practices to maximize these benefits.

Moreover, the dialogue addressed strategic planning and collaboration between cruise lines and local governments to ensure sustainable development that supports both tourism and the needs of local communities. This included job creation, promotion of local entrepreneurship, and sustainable use of cultural and natural resources. The fundamental role of cruise ship crews in promoting destinations and enriching the cruise experience was also examined. Crews acted as ambassadors both for the cruise line and the visited destinations, offering personal insights, recommendations, and stories that significantly enriched passengers’ experiences and increased engagement with local cultures and economies.

The objective of the session was to demonstrate how consciously managed cruise tourism can serve as a powerful economic engine, increasing the prosperity of destinations while preserving their unique characteristics and ensuring long-term benefits.

One of the week’s highlights was the presentation of a joint initiative between MedCruise, Cruise Baltic, Cruise Norway, Cruise Britain, and Cruise Europe, aimed at coordinated efforts to address challenges related to infrastructure, environmental integration, and local community engagement. This collaboration among over 400 European cruise ports underscored a shared commitment to a more resilient and sustainable future for the industry. During the event, MedCruise also had the pleasure of welcoming colleagues from the New Zealand Cruise Association and the Australian Cruise Association, further expanding the intercontinental dialogue on topics of mutual interest.

The program was enriched by a special presentation at the MedCruise booth by the Cemar Agency Network, which provided a detailed overview of market forecasts and sector trends for Italian ports in 2025.
Additional contributions came from Association members and partners, including Cruise Saudi, Ege Port Kusadasi & Bodrum, Port of Barcelona, BC Group, Five Senses Consulting & Development, and Intercruises, who participated in high-level sessions offering insights on topics such as innovation, sustainability, and the digitalization of port services.

Participation in Seatrade Cruise Global 2025 represented a key opportunity for MedCruise to strengthen international cooperation, promote a sustainable and integrated vision of the cruise sector, and reaffirm the central role of the Mediterranean in the global cruise landscape.

Through a strategic and well-structured presence, MedCruise reaffirmed its mission: to support its members, foster sustainable cruise growth in the region, and consolidate the Mediterranean as one of the most dynamic and innovative destinations in the world.

Don’t miss more updates, news and reviews about the world of cruises on Cruising Journal.

Gabriele Bassi

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