The 2026 cruise season in the ports of the Central Adriatic got off to a strong start on 31st March, when the vessel Artemis made its inaugural call at the port of Pesaro. The port is set to welcome 23 calls through to November, 14 of which will be operated by Grand Circle Cruise Line’s Athena and Artemis.
Adding a touch of maritime icon to the season, Star Clippers’ Royal Clipper — a five-masted tall ship stretching 134 metres and carrying 227 passengers — is among the most distinctive vessels on the schedule. Its classic merchant sailing ship silhouette makes it an unmissable sight, and it is due to visit nine times between 28 June and 23 August.
Artemis called also Ortona on April 2, marking the start of the cruise season at the Abruzzo port as well. Ortona’s 2026 programme features 14 calls, once again anchored by Grand Circle Cruise Line’s Artemis and Athena. While Artemis will continue serving the port through to 11 November, Athena will make its first appearance on 28 June.
In Ancona, MSC Lirica made its first call of the season on Friday 3 April, arriving at 08:00 from the Greek port of Katakolon and departing at 18:00 for Venice. The ship — 274.9 metres in length with a capacity of up to 2,679 passengers — had already inaugurated the season in February alongside Viking Star, and will now be a regular fixture at Ancona every Friday through to 23 October, arriving at 14:00 from Mykonos and departing at 20:30 for Venice. MSC Lirica accounts for 30 of Ancona’s 45 scheduled calls for 2026, with further deployments from Marella Cruises, Ponant, Club Med, Polar and Viking completing a diverse and dynamic season.
“The arrival of cruise ships in the ports of the Central Adriatic coincides with the start of the 2026 tourism season,” said Vincenzo Garofalo, President of the Central Adriatic Ports Authority. “This is an opportunity for mutual growth — for the blue economy as well as for tourism and commerce in the port cities and destinations visited by these passengers. An excellent gateway to the rich cultural, historical and scenic heritage of Marche and Abruzzo.”
