Chania Cruises Set for Record-Breaking Year in 2025

• June 2025 ends with 32 cruise ship arrivals in Souda
• Three cruise ships, including two unscheduled stops, visited Souda Port today
• Souda remains a top choice in the Mediterranean for cruise lines due to safe harbour conditions
• Cruise arrivals and visitor numbers spike sharply compared to 2024
• 2025 is expected to mark an all-time high for cruise tourism in China

A Lively Start to Summer at Souda Port

Monday morning brought plenty of activity to the port in Souda as three cruise ships arrived at once. The Silver Whisper brought 382 passengers, AIDAblu docked with a crowd of 2,381, and Marella Discovery 2 followed with 1,839 guests. Two of these visits were unplanned, with only one on the regular schedule. Such a busy start to the week highlights Souda’s reputation as one of the most weather-protected and reliable ports for cruise ships in the Mediterranean.

Numbers Point to a Record Year for Chania Cruises

Statistics for the first half of 2025 are impressive. Looking back, there were 53 cruise ship arrivals and 109,643 passengers in the same period last year. This year, Souda and Chania together hosted 72 arrivals, carrying a total of 152,739 visitors. That represents a 35.8% increase in ship arrivals and a 39.3% rise in passenger numbers. According to Dimitris Virirakis, president of the Chania Port Authority, these increases set the tone for what’s expected to be a record year for Chania cruises. With scheduled and unscheduled visits still on the horizon, every sign points to new all-time highs in both ship stops and cruise guests throughout 2025.

Main Points Recap

• Three cruise ships arrived at Souda today, including two unexpected visits
• Souda Port is praised for its sheltered conditions, drawing more cruise lines
• June 2025 totals 32 cruise ship arrivals, the highest for the month yet
• Chania cruises see a 35.8% jump in ship visits and nearly 40% more passengers compared to last year
• Officials expect 2025 to set new records for overall cruise tourism in the region

With a busy June and soaring first-half figures, the port anticipates record-breaking arrivals and passenger numbers, underlining the growing popularity of cruise tourism in Crete. Data from the local port authority highlight significant year-over-year growth, positioning Chania as a top cruise destination this season.