In 2025, with a total of 742 thousand cruise passengers, the port of Messina ranked seventh among the Italian ports of call and the seventeenth among the ports of call ports of the entire Mediterranean in the cruise segment, recording an increase of +20.2% over 2024, a growth trend that - according to the projections of the Port System Authority - will continue in 2026 as they are expected in the year 304 cruise ship stopovers for a total of about 800 thousand passengers.

Last year, cruise traffic in Messina was was mainly made up of passengers in transit (703 thousand), to which are added 39 thousand passengers at boarding and disembarking. The Port System Authority of the Strait has drawn up a economic balance produced by cruises in the area, highlighting that 38% of cruise passengers in transit in Messina get off on land to visit the city, with a total expense estimated at almost 16 million euros, distributed between culture, commerce, catering and tourism. The data comes from a survey conducted by the A.M. Jaci-Caio Duilio Institute on a sample of 347 responses, which made it possible to calculate an expense average of 31.7 euros per cruise passenger which, applied to the 497 passengers who are estimated to have visited the city in 2025, translates into about 15.77 million euros of direct expenditure.

The Port Authority pointed out that the profile of visitors who choose to visit Messina is markedly international: Italians represent only 11% of respondents, while Italians foreign tourists account for 38%. Among other nationalities The most represented are Canadians (9%), French (7%), as well as Australians, Argentinians, Germans and Spaniards, all around at 6%.

On the purchasing front, the souvenirs, chosen by 52.2% of respondents. The products follow food (30.8%), clothing (26.5%) and ceramics (16.1%). A framework that, according to the port authority, makes quality crucial of the welcome on land, the excursions offered and the attention of commercial establishments on opening hours coinciding with the stopovers.

With regard to the outlook for the current year, in 2026 the cruise schedule extends from January to December, with a peak expected in October. The most stopovers planned will be built by the ships of MSC Cruises with 53 landings, followed by Norwegian Cruise Line (52), Royal Caribbean (49) and Viking Ocean Cruises (48). Princess Cruises complete the picture (15), Windstar Cruises (14), CroisiMer and AIDA Cruises (10 each), Marella Cruises (9) and other smaller operators.

Presenting the balance sheet and prospects of the activity cruise industry in Messina, the Port Authority also focused on the development of infrastructures dedicated to this sector, being in the construction of the new cruise terminal in the port, with a investment of eight million euros, half of which was borne by the concessionaire Messina Cruise Terminal. The structure will be delivered by autumn 2027. At the same time, the project continues Stretto Green, dedicated to cold ironing, that is to the power supply of ships during their stay in port to reduce emissions. For Messina, allocations are planned for about 30 MW, with cabins in the Vespri-Colapesce areas, Rizzo quay and Molo Nuremberg.