Star Clippers has made maritime history by becoming the first cruise line ever to call at the Port of Barletta, Italy, opening an exciting new chapter for one of Puglia’s most historic and culturally rich destinations.
*All details correct at time of publish (15 June 2026)
Guests on board the 166-guest capacity cruise ship were greeted by a local band on the pier as Star Clipper arrived in the Apulian port.
The inaugural call reflects Star Clippers’ longstanding commitment to discovering and showcasing destinations beyond the traditional cruise circuit, offering guests immersive experiences in ports that remain largely untouched by mainstream tourism.
Captain Vadim Novikov, the fleet’s youngest Master at just 37 years old, lead the vessel’s arrival alongside the pilot – a local, highly trained maritime expert – before being presented with a celebratory plaque (pictured with Mr. Pietro Bianco, Head of the Port Operations Department for Barletta).
The arrival was warmly welcomed by local authorities and port representatives, who view the visit as a significant opportunity to showcase Barletta’s cultural, historical and economic attractions to an international audience.
The destination was a part of an 11-night Rome to Venice sailing. As a part of the itinerary, Star Clipper also visited a new port to the cruise line, Crotone, as well as Puglia’s Monopoli & Otranto and Rovinj in Croatia.
The cruise line will continue to visit Barletta, with another call scheduled for July 2026 and further visits in 2027.
The new port is one of many introduced recently by the cruise line; 27 new ports of call were announced in December 2025 when the company unveiled their summer 2027 Mediterranean programme.
Fay McCormack, General Manager of Star Clippers’ UK GSA, states:
‘First calls are exceptionally rare in today’s cruise industry, which makes this achievement especially significant. As the first cruise line ever to visit Barletta, Star Clippers is not simply adding a new port to an itinerary – we are helping place a remarkable destination on the global cruise map.
“Throughout our history, we have sought out remarkable destinations beyond the traditional cruise circuit, and Barletta embodies exactly the kind of authentic cultural discovery our guests value.
“This milestone reflects the pioneering spirit that has always defined our company and our passion for bringing guests to extraordinary places that larger ships often cannot reach.”
For more information, go to www.starclippers.co.uk.
