Bodrum Cruise Port Sets Passenger Record With 138,149 Visitors

Bodrum Cruise Port, operated by Global Ports Holding, has closed its latest cruise season after hosting 116 ship calls and welcoming 138,149 passengers, a new visitor record for the destination.

Record season results for Bodrum Cruise Port

Global Ports Holding said the 138,149-passenger total is the highest it has recorded for Bodrum, tying the season’s operational performance to a strong mix of visiting cruise brands alongside sustainability and community-focused programming.

Aziz Güngör, East Med Regional Director of Global Ports Holding, said: “This has been an outstanding season for Bodrum Cruise Port, both in terms of operational success and social impact.” He added that the company is “proud” of international recognition linked to sustainability efforts and said the team remains committed to projects that support the local community and the environment.

Cruise brands and ship line-up that called at Bodrum

The port highlighted a season that blended mainstream, premium, and luxury visits. Among the operators cited were Aroya Cruises, which completed overnight calls in Bodrum.

Other calls included Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady and Marella Cruises’ Marella Discovery 2. In the luxury segment, Bodrum hosted Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ships Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara, along with Silversea ships Silver Muse and Silver Whisper.

Youth engagement and sustainability programming during the 2025 season

Bodrum Cruise Port said it also marked the end of its 2025 social responsibility initiative, One Day. One Ship. One Future., launched in collaboration with Marella Cruises. The program was designed to bring local high school students to the port for a day over the course of the year, with support from Bodrum Sea Rescue.

The port described the initiative as a way to build awareness of marine protection while encouraging interest in maritime-related careers. Activities included:

• A beach clean-up that linked hands-on participation with marine conservation awareness and broader sustainability messaging.
• Guided access to port areas, giving students a closer look at how port operations work during cruise calls.
• Opportunities to tour a visiting ship, connecting classroom learning with shipboard and maritime career exposure.
• Additional educational elements tied to the day’s programming, presented as a structured introduction to environmental stewardship in coastal regions.

How Bodrum’s season fits into Türkiye’s wider cruise rebound

Bodrum’s record season came as Türkiye reported higher cruise traffic nationally. Data from the Transport and Infrastructure Ministry’s Directorate General of Maritime Affairs show cruise passenger arrivals reached 1.71 million in the first nine months of the year, the highest level in 12 years.

The ministry data also show 1,075 cruise ships called at Turkish ports from January through September, up from 917 in the same period a year earlier. Passenger volumes rose 16 percent year over year from 1.47 million in the comparable nine-month period of 2024.

By port in the first nine months, Kuşadası led with 825,647 passengers and 493 ship calls, followed by Istanbul with 495,186 passengers on 207 ships. Over the same January to September period, Bodrum hosted 117,985 cruise tourists aboard 96 ships, placing it among the higher-volume cruise destinations nationally.

Other ports cited with notable cruise traffic in the first nine months included İzmir (56,359 passengers on 31 ships), Çeşme (45,863 passengers on 60 ships), and Marmaris (45,364 passengers on 30 ships).

Bodrum’s destination profile and heritage

Global Ports Holding described Bodrum as one of Türkiye’s best-known coastal destinations, pointing to its cultural appeal, historical sites, and reputation for an international, cosmopolitan atmosphere. It also referenced the area’s deep history as the ancient city of Halicarnassus.

With the season now concluded, the port is closing the year after setting a new passenger record while continuing partnership-based programming tied to sustainability and youth engagement, against a backdrop of rising cruise arrivals and ship calls across Türkiye.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many cruise passengers did Bodrum Cruise Port welcome this season?

Global Ports Holding said Bodrum Cruise Port ended the season with 138,149 passengers across 116 cruise ship calls, describing it as the highest passenger total it has recorded for Bodrum.

Which cruise lines and ships visited Bodrum during the season?

The port highlighted calls from operators including Aroya Cruises, Virgin Voyages (Resilient Lady), and Marella Cruises (Marella Discovery 2). In the luxury segment, it cited visits from Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection ships Evrima, Ilma, and Luminara, as well as Silversea ships Silver Muse and Silver Whisper.

What was One Day. One Ship. One Future. at Bodrum Cruise Port?

The port described it as a 2025 social responsibility initiative launched with Marella Cruises, supported by Bodrum Sea Rescue, that brought local high school students to the port for environmental and educational activities including beach clean-ups, port familiarization, and ship visits.

How is Türkiye performing overall for cruise tourism this year?

Ministry data show Türkiye recorded 1.71 million cruise passengers and 1,075 ship calls in the first nine months of the year, up from 1.47 million passengers and 917 ship calls in the same period of 2024.