July Record for Cruise Tourism in 12 Years

According to data from the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure's General Directorate of Maritime Affairs, cruise tourism broke a record in 2025. Between January and July, 675 cruise ships docked in Turkish ports , carrying 1,058,752 passengers . This marked the first time since 2013 that the 1 million passenger threshold was surpassed since data began being recorded in 2011.

Cruise ships arriving at ports in July carried 326,450 passengers, reaching the highest July figure in 12 years. Passenger numbers for July, which peaked at 326,848 in 2013, reached historic levels this year, reaching 326,450.

In cruise tourism, passenger numbers in July by year were as follows:

• 2024: 316,000 8

• 2023: 209,033

• 2022: 121,107

• 2021: 4,699

• 2019: 47,756

• 2015: 291,799

• 2013: 326,848

• 2012: 338,801

The ports that hosted the most passengers between January and July were listed as follows:

• Kuşadası: 516,930 passengers with 316 cruise ships

• Istanbul: 301,124 passengers with 127 cruise ships

• Bodrum: 67,547 passengers with 54 cruise ships

• Izmir: 52,087 passengers with 28 cruise ships

According to maritime experts, 2025 data once again reveals that Turkey has become the center of attraction in the Mediterranean in terms of cruise tourism.