Catania Cruise Terminal Srl (Catania Cruise Port) has been managing the cruise operations of the cruise terminal of Catania, offering transit, inter-porting and homeporting operations, as well as an increasingly wide range of ancillary services since 2011. Catania Cruise Port is located in the middle of the Mediterranean, at the crossroads of major cruise itineraries.
The port has three cruise docks with a berthing capacity of up to five ships. The port has berthing facilities to serve the latest generation of cruise ships, and its quays are up to 1,600 m in length, while the minimum depth is 10-13 m. The port features a large area convenient for transportation, with a designated shore excursion location and parking for coaches and taxis.
Sporgente Centrale quay is just a short stroll from the city center and the railway station, and it’s just a 10-minute drive to the Vincenzo Bellini Airport in Catania. The terminal is integrated with the surrounding city and represents the starting point of the water front.
Ideal for year-round cruising, Catania enjoys a mild climate, with less than 46 rainy days and a warm climate from October to March. Throughout the year it offers plenty of excursions and activities within a short driving distance from the berth. There is high potential for pre- and post-cruise packages, thanks to the high number of hotels and the port’s proximity to the city center and main air-train-road networks. The Vincenzo Bellini International Airport (which handled 7 million passengers in 2016) is only 5.3 km away.
Catania Port Authority has recently built a new ferry dock in southern side of the harbour area. Consequently, all liners and commercial traffic (Roll-on/roll-off, containers, cargo) is handled there. As a result, the “historical port” is now dedicated only to yachts, cruise ships and fishing boats. This area will become the new waterfront of the city, as the restrictions on access have already been eliminated.
Global Ports Holding acquired the majority of shares in Catania Cruise Terminal Srl in 2016 along with other Italian ports located in Ravenna and Cagliari.