Days after King Mohammed VI inaugurated a new cruise terminal in Morocco’s commercial capital, the Island Sky NASSU arrived from Italy early Friday morning, becoming the first ship to berth at the $70 million facility.
The vessel carried dozens of foreign passengers, greeted by local officials with a reception designed to mirror international port standards while infusing Moroccan hospitality.
Captain George Robert Hendry, addressing reporters on the dock, called it “a rare opportunity” to inaugurate a terminal. “Every day is an adventure for us, but being the first to dock at a brand-new cruise port is something exceptional,” he said, praising the Casablanca facility as capable of accommodating vessels of all sizes and commending port authorities for swiftly addressing minor issues.
Passengers echoed the enthusiasm, with one traveler describing the welcome as “very warm” and the infrastructure “far better than expected.”
The new terminal, designed to process up to 450,000 cruise passengers annually, includes a 650-meter berth, modern gangways, and parking for 44 buses. The government has framed the project as part of Morocco’s broader strategy to expand its tourism offerings and capture a greater share of the growing cruise market.
That market has been surging back globally after the pandemic shutdowns that devastated the industry in 2020. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) projects more than 35 million passengers worldwide in 2025, surpassing pre-Covid levels, with Mediterranean routes among the fastest growing.
Ports from Barcelona to Piraeus have been racing to upgrade infrastructure; Casablanca now seeks to position itself as a key stop on North African itineraries that often combine Spain, Italy, and the Canary Islands.
For Morocco, long reliant on air arrivals and cultural tourism, the ability to attract larger vessels, some up to 350 meters long, could help diversify its tourism flows and deepen its integration into Mediterranean and Atlantic cruise circuits.
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