Casablanca Cruise Port Opens Season With First Call Under GPH

Casablanca Cruise Port opened its cruise season on Jan. 6 with the arrival of Silversea Cruises’ Silver Muse, marking the first cruise ship call since Global Ports Holding (GPH) took over management of the facility.

The call was used by port leadership to signal a new operating period for the Atlantic coast gateway, as Casablanca positions itself as an increasingly active stop on Atlantic, West Africa, and Mediterranean itineraries ahead of what it expects will be a busy 2026 season.

Casablanca launches a new management phase with a high-profile first call

Ouadii Bouchana, General Manager of Casablanca Cruise Port, described the Silver Muse visit as the start of a new operational push under GPH. “This first call under Global Ports Holding management marks the start of a new operational phase for Casablanca Cruise Port,” Bouchana said, adding that the priority is “to deliver efficient, internationally aligned cruise operations while building a strong foundation for long-term growth.”

The port has framed its location on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, along with direct access to the city center, as an advantage for both transit visits and turnaround calls, where ships start and end sailings and require faster processing for baggage, customs, and guest movement.

Investment, infrastructure, and 2026 season projections

Casablanca Cruise Port is projecting more than 100 cruise calls during the 2026 season, with passenger volume estimated at about 135,000.

Supporting those targets is a newly built cruise terminal backed by a $61.5 million investment. Casablanca Cruise Port has said the development is intended to position the city as Morocco’s largest cruise port, with planned annual throughput capacity of up to 450,000 passengers.

The terminal is designed to accommodate ships up to 350 meters in length, and the port’s recent cruise-focused upgrades include:

• A 666-meter quay.
• Facilities built to international standards.
• A mobile telescopic gangway intended to support ship operations, including turnaround and transit calls.

In outlining its pitch to cruise lines, the port has also pointed to proximity to Mohammed V International Airport for embarkation and disembarkation days, as well as a planned rail connection project intended to improve access and strengthen port-city connectivity.

Silver Muse returns to service after a drydock refit in Italy

Silver Muse, a luxury vessel in Silversea’s fleet that entered service in 2017, recently returned to revenue operations after a drydock period in Palermo, Italy. The ship resumed service on Dec. 14, 2025, departing from Civitavecchia to begin a seven-night itinerary through Spain, France, and Italy.

Silversea said the modernization project increased the ship’s double-occupancy capacity to 632 passengers from 596, enabled by redesigned accommodations on decks 9, 10, and 11. The update also introduced S.A.L.T., a new culinary experience inspired by the ship’s destinations, replacing the Indochine Asian restaurant. In addition, the La Dolce Vita dining room was partially reduced to create technical spaces.

Routine maintenance and class inspections were also part of the shipyard period, before the ship transitioned into holiday cruises calling in the Canary Islands and North Africa.

Holiday itinerary highlights include Madeira’s New Year’s Eve gathering

As part of its holiday season operations, Silver Muse called in Funchal, Madeira, for New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31, 2025, joining nine other ships for the destination’s traditional fireworks. The gathering brought more than 20,000 cruise passengers to Funchal for the celebrations, with vessels from operators including TUI Cruises and AIDA also in port.

Cyclone Harry disrupts a January sailing and forces itinerary changes

In January 2026, Cyclone Harry affected Silver Muse’s Mediterranean operations, including an extended stay in Valletta, Malta. A two-day stop originally scheduled for Jan. 18 to 19 was prolonged due to dangerous weather conditions, with strong winds and high seas affecting the ship’s schedule and leading to cancelled calls in Tunisia and Sardinia.

“With the forecast showing no improvement, we will be extending our stay in Valletta,” Captain Kosta Doroshenko informed passengers. Silversea offered guests a two-day pro-rated Future Cruise Credit (FCC) as compensation for the missed port calls.

Despite the disruption, the ship remained on track to conclude its 20-night cruise, which began in Lisbon on Jan. 4, 2026, on schedule in Barcelona on Jan. 24, with Valencia among the planned stops retained.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What upgrades were made to Silver Muse during the December 2025 drydock?

Silversea said the refit increased Silver Muse’s double-occupancy capacity to 632 passengers from 596 through redesigned accommodations on decks 9, 10, and 11. The ship also added the S.A.L.T. dining concept, replacing the Indochine Asian restaurant, and partially reduced the La Dolce Vita dining room to create technical spaces.

How did Cyclone Harry affect Silver Muse’s itinerary in January 2026?

The ship extended its stay in Valletta, Malta, beyond the planned Jan. 18 to 19 stop due to strong winds and high seas. The disruption led to the cancellation of calls in Tunisia and Sardinia, and passengers were offered a two-day pro-rated Future Cruise Credit.

Who is managing Casablanca Cruise Port, and why was the Jan. 6 call significant?

Casablanca Cruise Port is operating under the management of Global Ports Holding (GPH). The arrival of Silver Muse on Jan. 6 marked the first cruise ship call handled since GPH took over management.

What traffic does Casablanca Cruise Port expect in 2026, and what can the new terminal handle?

The port expects more than 100 cruise calls in 2026, with passenger volume projected at about 135,000. The new terminal is designed for ships up to 350 meters long and has planned annual capacity of up to 450,000 passengers, supported by infrastructure that includes a 666-meter quay and a mobile telescopic gangway.

With Silver Muse’s visit establishing the first operational milestone under GPH, Casablanca’s focus now shifts to meeting its 2026 benchmarks as scheduled calls build, while the ship continues its European and Mediterranean program following its recent refit and weather-related adjustments.