The 2026 cruise season has officially started at the Port of Ancona with the first call of the year, marking the start of an eleven-month programme of cruise operations. The opening call was performed by Viking Star, which arrived from Venice on 19 February and inaugurated a calendar that currently foresees 45 cruise calls throughout the year.
The vessel, operated by Viking, represents the premium segment of the cruise market, offering culturally focused itineraries that are well aligned with the historical and architectural heritage of Ancona and the wider Marche region. Viking Star is also scheduled to conclude the 2026 cruise season in December, ensuring continuity at both the opening and closing of the annual programme.
Operations will continue on 3 April with the first of 30 scheduled calls by MSC Cruises. MSC Lirica will call weekly until late October, confirming Ancona’s role as a regular port of call within Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean itineraries.
The 2026 cruise calendar also features a diversified portfolio of cruise operators, further strengthening the port’s positioning within the Mediterranean cruise market. In addition to Viking and MSC Cruises, the season will include calls from Marella Cruises, Ponant, Club Med, and Polar Cruises. Several vessels will make their inaugural calls at Ancona during the season, further enhancing the port’s attractiveness to both operators and passengers.
Commenting on the start of the season, Vincenzo Garofalo, President of the Central Adriatic Ports Authority, underlined the strategic importance of cruise traffic for the territory: the extended duration of the season reflects the strong cooperation between the Port Authority, the local port community, and regional stakeholders, ensuring high standards of reception and a diversified range of shore excursions.
The 2026 programme represents a tangible contribution to the growth of the blue economy and to the sustainable development of cruise tourism in the Adriatic, while reinforcing the international visibility of Ancona and the Marche region within Mediterranean cruise networks.
