La Goulette receives first cruise ship in seven years

Its 724 passengers were welcomed ashore on March 23 by a celebratory parade of eagle handlers, camels and national band, before visiting La Medina, Sidi Bou Said, Carthage, Sousse and Kairouan. Restaurants and cafes serving typical Tunisian cuisine were also filled with passengers. 

Plaque exchange ceremony

General manager at the port, Sami Debbich, presented the traditional plaque to the captain of the ship which had set sail from the UK on its Mediterranean itinerary. The ministers for tourism and transport, the secretary of state for maritime affairs, the governor of Tunis, the ambassador to England and the heads of customs and the police force were also in attendance.

A ‘blissful season’ ahead

‘We are delighted to once again see cruise passengers at our port,’ said Debbich. 'This is truly a reflection of our hard work [and] we look forward to a blissful season with 40 cruise ships expected for 2022.’ Among them is MSC Cruises’ MSC Opera, which will make 27 weekly calls between April and October as part of its Western Mediterranean itinerary.

La Goulette Cruise Port

Through a joint venture with MSC Cruises, Global Ports Holding began operating the International Ship and Port Facility Security-compliant cruise port in May 2019. It features berths totalling 657mtr, allowing the port to receive mega ships, and has two terminal buildings.