Destination to host 123 ships and 120,000 guests this year, with the season peaking in July and August
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Israel’s Port of Ashdod is set to welcome 123 cruise ships and around 120,000 passengers in 2023, a significant increase from the 62 ships and 65,000 guests it received during the 2022 cruise season.
Some of the first ships to visit this summer season have included Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Jade, Seabourn Encore, Azamara Pursuit, Vantage Travel’s Ocean Odyssey, Ponant’s Le Jacques-Cartier and AIDA Cruises’ AIDAcosma. The latter is both the largest ship and the only LNG-powered cruise ship to have ever visited Israel.
Cruise ship visits are expected to peak in July and August, when the Port of Ashdod will handle dozens of vessels per week.
“Maritime tourism is now growing and keeps getting stronger and we work every day to make the port more competitive and effective in all arenas, including the maritime tourism arena," said Eli Bar Yosef, the port’s acting CEO. "We would love to see more ships and passengers enjoying our country.”