In the early hours of February 29, Wednesday morning, Marmaris Cruise Port received an unexpected call from MSC Magnifica. The ship was originally scheduled to call at Rhodes but had to alter her course to Marmaris to avoid the severe weather conditions.
Once again, Marmaris Cruise Port proved to be a safe harbour providing superb protection for cruise liners from all weather conditions. Due to its natural sheltered harbour with lack of obstacles, Marmaris Cruise Port makes berthing safe all year round, especially during the winter cruise months.
Every year, Marmaris receives surprise calls from such ships cruising in the Mediterranean finding it difficult to berth elsewhere and acts as a suitable last-minute alternative.
The 293 meter cruise ship MSC Magnifica berthed comfortably in the sheltered bay of Marmaris together with her 2,605 passengers and 980 crew members ensuring the safety of all on aboard. The cruise passengers were greeted with traditional Turkish hospitality and given various souvenirs such as evil eye beads, postcards, bookmarks and magnets as memorabilia to mark MSC Magnifica’s surprise visit to Marmaris.
By coincidence, MSC Magnifica had made her maiden call in Marmaris on 11th of December in 2010 by diverting her call again from Rhodes to have safer berth in Marmaris. Previously, during adverse weather conditions, ships such as Costa Concordia and MSC Opera found shelter in Marmaris Cruise Port.