The port of Kotor will officially begin its 2025 cruise season on April 10 with the arrival of the first large cruise ship, Opera, operated by MSC Cruises. According to current bookings, around 500 cruise ships are expected to arrive in Kotor this year.
Maja Danilović, public relations officer at the Port of Kotor, said that April marks the start of the main part of the cruise season.
“This is the month when the arrivals of larger ships become more frequent and the number of cruise tourists increases. During the winter months, we have occasional visits, mostly from Viking Cruises, but the main season starts in April and lasts until the end of October. The first large cruise ship, Opera, operated by MSC, will arrive on April 10. This ship will also introduce a new Speedboat line running between Dubrovnik and Kotor, with 35 visits planned throughout the season,” Danilović told the newspaper Pobjeda.
If all current reservations go as planned, approximately 500 cruise ships will dock in Kotor this year. Excluding passengers using the new Dubrovnik route, around 700,000 cruise tourists are expected.
“We are seeing a slight increase in both the number of ship arrivals and the number of passengers, provided all reservations are realized. Demand remains at a consistently high level,” Danilović added.
As for planned investments, Danilović mentioned a project for a standalone mooring dolphin, intended to increase docking safety at the main quay.
“The project design has been completed, as has the public consultation phase. We are now waiting for the necessary permits to be finalized, after which we will launch the public tender to select the most favorable contractor. There is also a planned project to upgrade the border zone of the port, which includes improving the flow of tourists and vehicles and enhancing overall service. This project is currently in the conceptual design phase, and the necessary permits are being obtained,” she said.
All the planned investments are part of the Investment Plan under the Port of Kotor’s Concession Agreement. These projects aim to improve the business operations of AD Luka Kotor and the area in which the company operates.
As the third most visited cruise destination in the Adriatic, after Venice and Dubrovnik, Kotor is considered a standout in the cruise industry. Cruising through the UNESCO-listed Bay of Kotor offers a unique experience in the Mediterranean, and the Old Town and its surroundings provide attractions that few destinations can rival.
