This year’s cruise industry in Chania is developing at a very positive pace, as the port of Souda has recorded a significant increase in both ship arrivals and the number of visitors in the first quarter of 2026. This development comes despite initial concerns that had been raised internationally due to geopolitical developments in the Middle East.
The figures so far reinforce Chania’s position as a strong cruise destination in the eastern Mediterranean, with companies in the industry increasing their calls and maintaining a strong presence in the region.
During the first quarter of 2026, the port of Souda recorded 26 cruise ship arrivals with a total of 36,576 passengers, while the Venetian port of Chania saw an additional arrival of 128 passengers. In the corresponding period in 2025, 17 arrivals had taken place in Souda with 32,330 passengers, with no calls at the Venetian port.
Total passenger traffic at the two ports increased from 32,330 passengers in the first quarter of 2025 to 36,704 in the same period this year, recording an increase of 13.5%.
An even greater increase in the number of ship arrivals, as cruise ship arrivals rose from 17 in 2025 to 27 in 2026, an impressive 58.8% increase.
The increased mobility is also reflected in today’s picture of the port of Souda, where a triple approach of cruise ships with a total of 5,762 passengers was recorded, under particularly good weather conditions.
Specifically, the “Star Legend” with 274 passengers, the “Marella Discovery” with 1,774 passengers and the 330-metre-long “Enchanted Princess”, which made its first arrival at the port carrying 3,714 passengers, arrived in Souda.
The cruise industry in Chania so far creates optimistic prospects for this year’s tourist season, with Souda steadily strengthening its position among the fastest growing cruise destinations in the eastern Mediterranean.
