• 7 min de lectura
• 7 min de lectura
The cruise port projects record growth this year following the activation of shore power connectivity and enhanced passenger experiences.
September 15, 2026
Marseille is developing the J4 terminal for luxury vessels and small cruise ships, with a premium terminal planned for 2028.
In 2025, with over 2.6 million passengers (up 8% compared to 2024) and 660 registered calls, Marseille had already confirmed its momentum, owing to an increase in the number of stopovers and ships operating at high capacity. Traffic was split between 1.9 million transit passengers and 680,000 across turnaround cruises (+3%). This trend was also accompanied by a notable shift in practices with 185 port calls made by LNG-powered vessels, compared to 169 in 2024. They represented 28% (+9%) of all calls and demonstrated a more responsible approach from the cruise lines.
Against this favourable backdrop, the port is projecting around 2.8 million passengers and 750 calls in 2026 – figures which confirm its appeal to major international cruise lines, especially as several new vessels join the fleets of leading operators in the coming years and US lines continue their expansion strategies in Europe.
However, Jacques Hardelay, president, Cruise Marseille Provence association, pointed out: "Figures are positive, but the goal is not a race for volume or simply increasing the number of cruises – it is rather doing things better. Better distributing visitor flows, improving the quality of stopovers and boosting the benefits for the local area. That is our daily priority."
Out of the 36 lines present in 2026, "Costa Cruises and MSC Cruises are our pillars, the latter with between 280 and 300 calls per year which make Marseille its world leading port in terms of stopovers." Other frequent callers include Viking, Royal Caribbean International, P&O Cruises, TUI Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Princess Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Azamara.
This year also features prestigious newcomers such as Four Seasons Yachts, Vidanta or Orient Express Silenseas and nine inaugural calls from Four Seasons I, Scenic Eclipse and Scenic Eclipse II, Viking Mira, Mein Schiff Flow, Celebrity Excel, Legend of the Seas, Zhao Skang Yi Dun and Corinthian Orient Express, the world's largest sailing ship and first vessel of the Orient Express Silenseas fleet.
While French travellers remain the primary market for turnaround cruises, other passenger momentum looks strong again this year. Breakdown for 2026 first semester will be published this month.
Long championed by successive presidents of Marseille Provence Croisière, notably Jean-François Suhas, now VP, with the creation of the Blue Maritime Summits in 2019 and the signing of Sustainable Charters, the energy transition has been one of the driving forces for the association. It materialised this year on April 11 with the historic introduction by the port of shore power through the simultaneous connection of three ships. For Hardelay, "It is a first for France, a genuine technical and infrastructural challenge and a key step in the decarbonisation of the sector."
Hardelay said: "Marseille got an early start and this achievement positions it among the European ports most committed to the sustainable transformation of the cruise industry. We are four years ahead of the 2030 European deadline. With four physical berths and 48 megawatts of available shore power, we can connect three very large ships simultaneously or two large ones and two smaller ships."
Of the 110 ships calling at Marseille this year, 70% of them are already equipped to be connected, which represents 80% of the port's stopovers. "Each vessel must perform its own tests and technical adjustments to validate its connection – a delicate and time-consuming step – as perfect compatibility is required. Many are currently waiting to carry out this commissioning – which incidentally is completely free of charge here. Furthermore, the port supplies them with green electricity offering them an ETS tax reduction." This electrification was also well received by local residents: "We invited the neighbourhood committees, which were able to see the results for themselves," added Hardelay.
Led by the Grand Port Maritime de Marseille to capture the high-end small cruise ship and large yacht market, this future terminal located in the heart of the city near the Old Port and the historic "Panier" district generates significant interest and turnaround prospects. For the time being, it relies on functional infrastructures accommodating vessels up to 205-210 metres in length and carrying up to 1,000 passengers, primarily between April and October and allowing for the simultaneous docking of two small luxury ships or a large and a small one.
Cruise lines served include Ponant, Windstar Cruises, Silversea Cruises, Explora Journeys, Viking, Azamara, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Orient Express Silenseas. The site, which handles around 100 calls, should inaugurate its premium terminal in 2028.
Air connectivity represents a genuine development asset for Marseille: "Our long-term ambition is to reach a 50% traffic rate as a turnaround port, up from the current 30%." The launch of a direct and daily air link with New York Newark Liberty Airport will take place from June 5 to October 30, 2027 and be operated by United Airlines, on board an Airbus A321XLR, a state-of-the-art 150-seat (including 20 suites) aircraft designed for long-haul flights.
"This represents a major opportunity to boost Marseille and Provence's appeal for North American travellers," says Hardelay enthusiastically. "The launch of this route was strongly supported by Marseille Provence Croisière, by cruise operators eagerly awaiting it and through the collaborative efforts of all our institutional, business and tourism partners who worked to bring this great project to fruition."
"Turning every port call into an authentic experience requires effective management right from within the port. We are working hard on an electric paid shuttle transport service to bring passengers to the city centre. One of the challenges is also to increase the time passengers spend in the city through better signage and enhanced information to facilitate individual visits."
The destination features a lively town centre and a strong cultural identity. To boost the appeal of stopovers, new working groups have been created this year, bringing together hoteliers, shopkeepers and tourist attractions. "We are also involved in creating experiences, for example centred on Notre-Dame de la Garde, VIP tours... In fact, we are open to everything that directly benefits our region."
Strategic meetings and workshops are also organised to better understand the expectations of the cruise lines and their passengers. They also allow for the development of local synergies in line with their stakeholders, promoting sport and the outdoors, family and leisure, gastronomy, luxury, craftsmanship, as well as immersive and DIY experiences in order to create increasingly attractive stopovers.
It was the case early in 2026, at Aix-en-Provence, where 90 participants met to explore new opportunities with cruise lines.
This fieldwork has also paid off for the river cruise sector, fully integrated into the scope of Marseille Provence Croisière's operations, primarily along the Southern Rhône: "New contracts now directly link ship operators and wine producers from the region." The market comprises 16 lines operating in 2026 a total of 29 vessels – including the new Lumière, operated by Tauck and Scylla and the Viking Lofn – most passengers embarking or disembarking locally, particularly in Arles and Avignon. "It is a sector we monitor closely, as it contributes significantly to the region's appeal. Internally, we are also championing the concept of a product that combines river and ocean cruising, one we would like to see developed with companies such as Virgin or Tauck."
Marseille Provence Croisière is exhibiting at the MedCruise stand at Seatrade Cruise Med 2026 in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
Founded in 1996 under the impetus of Jacques Truau and public or private players, formerly known as Marseille Provence Cruise Club until 2023, Marseille Provence Croisière and its 104 members bring together public and private stakeholders around a shared goal: positioning Marseille and the Provence region as a leading cruise destination, by balancing tourism appeal, economic development and ecological transition. As part of its Horizon 2030 plan, it defines key priorities and strategic projects to boost the region's attraction while promoting sustainable cruising.