“WE SALUTE YOU”
“WE SALUTE YOU!”: MSC SEASIDE MARKS THE END OF THE 2021 CRUISE SEASON AT TARANTO CRUISE PORT
TARANTO, 11 NOVEMBER 2021 – Yesterday afternoon, at Molo San Cataldo in the port of Taranto, the closing ceremony of the 2021 cruise season was held, organized by the AdSP of the Ionian Sea in collaboration with the Municipality of Taranto and Taranto Cruise Port.
Lights, music, and water displays offered cruise passengers aboard the majestic MSC Seaside a unique farewell ceremony that “lit up” the Molo San Cataldo quay, creating a spectacular show for the port city of Taranto. Beams of colored lights rose along the quay, accompanying the ship’s departure to the rhythm of music, as the smart ship of the prestigious international cruise line MSC Cruises made its 28th and final call in the Ionian port.
“We salute you!”: to the rock tunes of AC/DC, the ship left the Taranto dock, illuminating the striking Mar Grande skyline along with water displays performed by the port’s tugboats as a gesture of farewell to the last cruise ship of the season. With MSC Seaside’s final call in the Ionian capital, the 2021 cruise season officially concluded on a high note for Taranto Cruise Port, which recorded record-breaking numbers this year.
Throughout 2021, Taranto – “a destination beyond your imagination” – emerged on the national and Mediterranean cruise scene, opening new avenues for local development and establishing itself as a prime tourist destination. The 2022 season at Taranto Cruise Port will begin next March, featuring nine different cruise lines and approximately 50 confirmed calls, including MSC Cruises, which will continue its presence in the port with MSC Splendida in the coming year.
“The ‘rock port’ of Taranto,” said Sergio Prete, President of the AdSP of the Ionian Sea, “gives its personal thanks and farewell to MSC with enthusiasm, colors, and energy – elements that have characterized the city’s welcoming spirit from May until now. It has been an important season, allowing Taranto to establish itself as a leading cruise destination in the international cruise industry. The confirmations we have already received for the coming years are the result of the great collaboration with the Municipality and local stakeholders. Taranto has succeeded in highlighting its assets as a tourist destination capable of offering high-quality services and a wide variety of exclusive shore excursions.”
“Today we close an exhilarating season,” said Mayor Rinaldo Melucci, “with the awareness that Taranto has secured a prominent place in the European cruise landscape. We are among the top 10 Italian ports by passenger numbers and in the top 20 in the Mediterranean. In 2022, we will confirm and improve this trend, giving Taranto the tourist dimension it has been denied for too long. The numbers from these six months of calls are a milestone, demonstrating how Taranto can be a versatile destination, thanks to its cultural offerings and beaches – a true one-of-a-kind experience for MSC passengers. With the availability of the Falanto multi-purpose center, 2022 will mark a decisive turning point and strengthen the collaboration between the Municipality and the Port Authority, which has already brought great benefits to the territory.”
“Taranto enchanted us with its vibrancy and dynamism,” said Antonio Di Monte, General Manager of Taranto Cruise Port. “This first year was full of novelties, from the inauguration of the terminal to the numerous projects launched by the Port Authority of the Ionian Sea, the Municipality of Taranto, and the Puglia Region, in which we were pleased to participate. MSC has been a valuable partner in this adventure: recognizing the potential of the port and trusting in the professionalism of Global Ports Holding and all local stakeholders, the cruise line dominated the 2021 season at Taranto Cruise Port, confirming its presence for the next year. So, it’s a ‘see you in 2022’: Taranto, a destination beyond imagination, awaits you!”
“Adding Taranto as a new port of call in our 2021 itineraries turned out to be a great success, perhaps even exceeding our expectations. Thanks to the excellent collaboration with local authorities, we were able, in just one season, to establish Taranto as a new cruise destination, immediately offering our guests a rich and varied choice of shore excursions to discover the many beauties of this incredible territory. The 2021 summer figures show that guest satisfaction was extremely high, which led us to confirm our presence with MSC Splendida for the entire next summer season,” said Leonardo Massa, Managing Director of MSC Cruises.
