Marella becomes first in nearly a decade to homeport in Marmaris

The vessel, which made its inaugural turnaround call at the Turkish port on May 6, will embark/disembark passengers weekly, racking up a total 26 turnarounds this year. 

The latest cruise ship to call at Marmaris was TUI Cruises’ Mein Schiff 5 on July 17, with MSC Cruises’ MSC Davina making an unscheduled call at the port earlier this month. 

Turkish Riviera 

Marmaris, which can handle cruise vessels of up to 330 mtr in length, offers passengers the opportunity to experience sandy beaches and sparkling turquoise waters flanked by majestic mountains, as well as vibrant nightlife.

Coined by the family-run cruise port as ‘the town where the Aegean kisses the Mediterranean… and a port with a view,’ it is immediately situated at the picturesque Netsel Marina, offering a wide selection of shops, high-end and laid back eateries and quaint coffee houses serving signature Turkish tea and coffee. 

Marmaris Castle and Archeology Museum, Old Town and Grand Bazaar – tracing its roots to the Ottoman Empire – are testament to the region’s rich history. 

Marmaris

The ancient King's Tombs of Kaunos in Dalyan

Further sites of unique and historic significance can be found at Dalyan 83 km away – home to ancient tombs hewn in rock, plus the remains of a theatre, bathhouse and acropolis. The location also serves as a paradise for wildlife, with İztuzu beach the nesting site of loggerhead turtles, and Dalyan Çayı River habitat for storks, kingfishers, terrapins and herons. 

Major development

Prior to this year, Marella was the last cruise line to carry out homeport operations in Marmaris when in 2015 Thomson Cruises, as the line was formerly known, arrived with Thomson Celebration. 

This year, Marmaris Cruise Port expects to receive a total 45 calls, including from Explora Journeys’ Explora I, Seabourn’s Seabourn Encore and Oceania’s Oceania Vista to name a few. The port also welcomes unscheduled calls, with its naturally sheltered harbour making it a popular choice for vessels in adverse weather. 

So far, 35 calls are booked for next year – ships form from Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Seadream Yacht Club, Silversea Cruises and Windstar Cruises among them. 

Between 2010 and 2015 the line recorded a sweeping 120 cruise calls on average, annually. 

Infrastructure

Improvements in infrastructure were completed earlier this year at the cruise port in an investment totalling USD $1m. The site now comprises a contemporary, newly renovated check-in area equipped with 12 check-in desks, an expanded passenger terminal with five passport control booths (increased from three) and a larger Duty Free zone. Walls separating the latter and security can be adjusted to suit passenger capacity as needed. 

Marmaris Cruise & Ferry check-in areas, and custom-bonded luggage in transfer

Free Wi-Fi is available in all areas and additional air conditioning has been introduced, along with shaded walkways and awnings in luggage areas; to ensure a positive experience for passengers, the port works closely with Dalaman Airport 80 km away to provide a bonded baggage service. 

The cruise port is currently working on resurfacing quayside areas, with further plans to enhance the cafe and lounge spaces.