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NEW GALATAPORT IN ISTANBUL READY FOR CRUISE SEASON

The world’s newest cruise port facility, Galataport Istanbul, is ready to welcome its first ships.

The port is now is now operational. Located in Istanbul’s Karakoy district, the brand new facility represents one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in Turkey at a price tag of €1.5bn.

Galataport Istanbul is not just a facility welcoming large cruise ships. It is also due to be the heart of a new social, cultural and lifestyle destination along the Bosphorus river.

Projected to welcome 25 million visitors per year – including 7 million tourists and 1.5 million cruise passengers and crew – Galataport is set to “revive and redefine Istanbul’s historic port as an exciting lifestyle destination.”

Galataport Istanbul offers advanced cruise facilities, such as the world’s first underground cruise ship terminal. The 29,000 sq m Galataport Istanbul Cruise Ship Terminal is designed with a unique hatch system for a temporary customs area while a ship is in port.

More than a cruise terminal

The capacity is impressive. Galataport Istanbul is capable of accommodating three ships and 15,000 passengers a day. The Cruise season this winter is due to see ships from Eurodam, Costa Crociere, Norwegian Cruise Line, Viking Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, among others.

In addition to a cruise port, Galataport Istanbul is a cultural and lifestyle destination. The promenade includes the Renzo Piano – designed new museum building of Istanbul Modern – Turkey’s first contemporary and modern arts museum founded in 2004. It also includes the Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University Istanbul Painting and Sculpture Museum. Both museums are adjacent to the restored Tophane Clock Tower dating back to 1848. And just next door is the brand new Peninsula Hotel, due to open by the end of 2022.

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