PORTO DI TARANTO, 11 MAY 2022 - For the first time ever, at 9 o’ clock, Taranto port-city welcomes the majestic Celebrity Constellation in the Mar Grande with festive water works staged by tugboats. The motor vessel Celebrity Constellation belongs to the fleet of the luxury cruise line Celebrity Cruises, a brand controlled by the cruise industry leading group Royal Caribbean Group.
The company can proudly boast its election as “Best Premium Cruise Line” for 14 consecutive years by the prestigious international magazine Travel Weekly and as “Best Cruise Line in Europe” for 12 years within the Reader’s Choice Awards.
Known for its first-class services, the 294 metre long cruise ship has arrived today in Taranto from Civitavecchia after a thirteen-night journey in the Mediterranean Sea, following an itinerary through Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Toulon, Nice, Leghorn, Civitavecchia, Dubrovnik, Split, Koper and Ravenna.
The 1.087 passengers aboard, mostly coming from the USA, have had the chance to discover Taranto through organised trips or in complete autonomy.
The calls of Celebrity Cruises in the Port of Taranto already planned for 2020 have been confirmed for 2022 after the forced long standstill due to the pandemic; the American company has chosen to make four stops at the Ionian port-city this year.
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This day represents a double success for the Ionian port-city in terms of cruise tourism growth. Besides adding Celebrity Cruises to its portfolio, today the Port of Taranto actually hosts two cruise ships together for the first time ever: as it happens every Wednesday since last April, in fact, MSC Splendida is moored in San Cataldo pier.
This represents a valuable opportunity for the Ionian seaport, which could count on the absolute synergy among the members of the port-maritime cluster. The strong professionalism of the shipping agents - namely Gorgoni Shipping for MSC Splendida and DANAV srl for Celebrity Constellation - has supported the cruise lines and the concessionaire of the passenger services, Taranto Cruise Port, has managed the operations for both calls in total safety and efficiency.
The Port Network Authority has honoured Celebrity Constellation’s first arrival holding the traditional maiden call ceremony alongside ship with the involvement of the Port Authority’s President, the Harbour Master Diego Tomat and Taranto Cruise Port.
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“We’re very excited about the arrival of Celebrity Constellation and the simultaneous presence of two large ships in the Port of Taranto. These two companies belong to the biggest world players in the cruise industry”, claimed President Sergio Prete. “Today’s event demonstrates that the global cruise industry stakeholders acknowledge Taranto’s potential as a destination thanks to its natural beauties and its huge cultural heritage. In order to reinforce this important outcome, it’s necessary to maintain the fruitful cooperation with the regional stakeholders and the port cluster, in particular by nurturing the excellent synergy with the Harbour Master's Office. The sound relationship network existing at the local level is the key strength of our successful port, even with a view to a sustainable development”.
“We’re glad to welcome Celebrity Cruises in our Ionian port and we’re excited about this flourishing maiden call season. Each day Taranto port-city charmingly confirms to be a brilliant cruise destination and this is also certified by the great interest shown by the Cruise Lines during the recent Seatrade Cruise Global held in Miami”, states Stephen Xuereb, President of Taranto Cruise Port. “We’ve managed this first-ever double call of MSC Splendida and Celebrity Constellation, two marvellous queens of the seas, in complete safety and harmony. We could rely on the support given by the Guest Information Center, a new service provided for all guests: this modern information point is tailored on the cruise passengers’needs and promotes the main points of interest of the city. In fact, Taranto’s evolution as a cruise destination necessarily goes through promoting the historical, artistic, natural and culinary treasures of the region and the dynamic cooperation with the social fabric and the local institutions: after taking the first steps, we’re ready to run!”