Kicking Off the 2026 Cruise Season: Viking Star Arrives in Port Ancona
The 2026 cruise season at Port Ancona in Italy commenced with the arrival of the Viking Star from Venice on February 19. This event marks the beginning of an eleven-month schedule that anticipates 45 cruise ship visits until early December. The Viking Star’s inaugural call underscores the importance of its culturally focused itineraries, which align well with the historical charm of Ancona and the broader Marche region.
Following its arrival, the port is set to welcome the MSC Lirica, starting in early April, with weekly visits continuing until late October. This comes as part of a broader schedule of 30 port calls by MSC Cruises, reinforcing Ancona’s established position within Adriatic and Eastern Mediterranean cruise routes.
Additionally, the season will see a diverse array of cruise operators, including Marella Cruises, Ponant, Club Med, and Polar Cruises, with some vessels making their inaugural visits to Ancona. This range of operators enhances the destination’s allure for both cruise lines and passengers.
The extended cruise schedule aligns with the port authority’s goal of maintaining high activity levels throughout the year and integrating cruise traffic into the local tourism economy, bolstering Ancona’s competitive edge within the Mediterranean cruise market.
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