Strategic ambitions, a new terminal and congestion at nearby destinations are all giving impetus to cruise ship business at Greece’s second largest port, according to Cosmatos Group
The cruise sector has become a driving force for the growth of maritime services in Thessaloniki, as a new terminal takes shape at Greece’s second largest port and dredging work continues to support its ambitions to join the Eastern Mediterranean’s major destinations.
In March 2026, Port of Thessaloniki appointed Five Senses Consulting & Development to support the next phase of its cruise strategy and develop homeporting opportunities. The strategy looks to build on the port’s investment in the 'Alexander the Great' Cruise Terminal, which opened in 2023.
Coordinating efforts to add facilities, enhance safety measures and expand port services will be key to maintaining momentum in attracting more cruise lines and ships, including luxury vessels, according to Cosmatos Group – a leading shipping agency service provider based in Thessaloniki.
Continuous investment in infrastructure is improving the port’s ability to serve cruise vessels more efficiently, with a focus on accommodating larger ships and faster turnaround operations, according to Elisabeth Cosmatos, CEO, Cosmatos Group.
“Thessaloniki is relatively new to the cruise map, but it has quickly established its identity as an alternative to traditional destinations that have become congested, not least because it offers guests an equally rich entry point to Greek culture,” she said.
Cultural attractions
Thessaloniki is widely regarded as one of Greece’s top culinary destinations, while also offering a rich historical and cultural appeal. As the closest major port to the UNESCO-listed archaeological site of Vergina, the ancient capital of the Macedonian kingdom, visitors can explore the tomb of Philip II of Macedon, father of Alexander the Great. With more than 2,000 years of continuous history, Thessaloniki showcases a blend of Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman heritage. An important trading port since antiquity, the city derives its name from the stepsister of Alexander the Great.
Combined with access to destinations such as Mount Olympus, Meteora and the Halkidiki peninsula, the city offers cruise passengers a wide variety of cultural, historical and natural experiences within relatively short travel distances. A vibrant city of just over one million inhabitants, Thessaloniki also has a well-connected international airport a short distance from its port, making it suitable for turnaround calls and homeport operations.
Greece has long been a highly desirable cruise destination but some of the most popular places are beginning to show the strain, as ship calls increase and day visitor numbers climb. Popular destinations such as Santorini, Mykonos and even Piraeus have faced challenges in managing cruise ship port calls in recent times. Callers at Thessaloniki include Costa and Aida Cruises, Celestyal, Celebrity, Silver Seas, Emerald, Crystal, Seven Seas & Azamara.
Andreas Zikos, Cruise Department Head for Cosmatos Shipping Services said the six-strong dedicated Cosmatos agency team handled 53 cruise ship calls at Thessaloniki last year, generally of medium to large size vessels in terms of dimensions and guest capacity. The 90,940 gt Celebrity Infinity, for example, recorded 20 calls in 2025, carrying an average of about 2,100 passengers and 950 crew on each visit. The ship is scheduled to make another 23 calls in 2026, said Zikos.
Cosmatos takes care of berth reservations and port arrangements, vessel and crew clearance, mandatory port reports for a vessel’s approach and departure, arranges sailing permits required for final clearance, and handles all passenger documentation.
“We also coordinate a wide range of shore-based services, including technical assistance, transfers, provisions, concierge support, medical arrangements, deliveries, and crew embarkation and disembarkation,” said Zikos.
Service development
“We have observed a rise in requests for more complex services compared to the past when needs were mostly limited to basic provisions or crew changes. There has been an exponential increase in provisions, large-scale crew changes, personalized transportation and more complex requests driven by specific circumstances. These include large flower orders for occasions such as Valentine’s Day – this year we imported 1000 red roses from the Netherlands and delivered them onboard a Celestyal vessel – as well as floral arrangements for dinners and shuttle service requests.”
“All of these capabilities have proved vital in serving the noticeable increase in luxury cruise business that the port has been experiencing in recent years,” added Cosmatos. “That has also prepared us to take on new challenges. As an example, we successfully handled the first call by a cruise ship at Halkidiki [near Thessaloniki] at the peak of the 2025 tourist season for Crystal Cruises.” In addition, Cosmatos acts as subagents for Inchcape Shipping Services and for Wilhelmsen Port services, supporting their cruise ship calls.
Dealing with last minute changes has also become part of daily routine, she added. “We have leaned into the training for resilience that Cosmatos deploys in its wider logistics business. Good communication skills, procedural discipline and willingness to find solutions are transferrable skills.”
To ensure the highest level of service, the company maintains continuous communication with all relevant authorities combining digital tools with direct personal contact. Digitalisation has made operations more efficient, and decarbonisation and sustainability are increasingly factored in to port operations.
Thessaloniki participates in the Maritime Emissions Portal (MEP) pilot programme, which allows ports and shipping stakeholders to monitor emissions from incoming vessels and better understand their environmental footprint.
Primarily the country’s largest commercial port, Thessaloniki’s administration has traditionally been more oriented toward cargo than passenger services. As cruise call frequency continues to grow, authorities are becoming increasingly responsive to the needs of the sector, said Zikos.
“It is encouraging to see an evolution within the Greek public sector, which was traditionally associated with bureaucratic procedures and a limited customer-oriented approach; that is steadily changing as younger professionals enter the workforce.”
“Other factors also suggest the future is bright for Thessaloniki as a cruise destination,” added Cosmatos. “The growth in tourist numbers visiting the Greek islands can only be in our favour, for example. As well as our natural and cultural advantages, meanwhile, Thessaloniki is also a safe destination on the global map.”
