MEDIA

15 May 2025

One Day. One Ship. One Future: Bodrum Ignites Maritime Dreams Bodrum Cruise Port and Marella Discovery 2 Inspire the Mariners of Tomorrow

Operated by Global Ports Holding, the world’s largest cruise port operator, Bodrum Cruise Port hosted a meaningful social responsibility event at the beginning of the season, in collaboration with Marella Cruises, TUI UK & I’s ocean cruise line ship, Marella Discovery 2. The initiative aimed to ignite the maritime dreams of future generations.

Future Captains Take the Helm in Bodrum

Fifteen students from the Yacht Captaincy Department of Bodrum Vocational and Technical Anatolian High School experienced an inspiring day that opened the doors to the world of maritime. The program began early with a comprehensive port tour, introducing key themes such as maritime professions, cruise tourism, careers at sea, and ocean conservation.

During the visit, students gained firsthand insights into customs and non-customs areas, port security, passport and customs procedures, and duty-free operations. They also explored piloting, ship maneuvering, tugboat coordination, and the complexity of cruise port scheduling.

Following the morning sessions, the students boarded Marella Discovery 2 for an authentic onboard experience. They joined crew drills, listened to officers and crew speak about life at sea and maritime career paths, and visited the ship’s bridge, engine room, galley, and guest areas. The day concluded with lunch in the onboard restaurant, islands, offering a true taste of cruise life.

A Spark in Their Eyes: Inspiration in Action

Highlighting Bodrum Cruise Port’s role as a source of hope and inspiration for young people, Aziz Güngör, East Med Regional Director of Global Ports Holding, stated: “Our collaboration with Marella Discovery 2 is immensely valuable in inspiring young people to pursue maritime careers and instilling maritime culture from an early age. We sincerely thank Marella Cruises’ for their active engagement and enthusiasm in making this experience truly impactful. This meaningful initiative demonstrates that Bodrum Cruise Port is not only a hub for exceptional cruise services, but also a center of inspiration for future generations. At Global Ports Holding, we are committed to supporting young people for a sustainable future. The spark in their eyes is our greatest motivation.”

Olivia Wells, Sustainability Manager at Marella Cruises: “We’re excited to be partnering with Bodrum Cruise Port again this year, as Marella Discovery 2 invited local students onboard to get firsthand insight into the operations and be inspired by the different maritime careers available. It’s also great for these students to see the ship it all its entierary from the ship’s engine room, galley and the ship’s bridge. We hope to work on more colloborations with the port in the future.”

About Bodrum Cruise Port

Bodrum Cruise Port, part of Global Ports Holding’s portfolio of 33 ports in 21 countries, offers full-service capabilities for cruise ships, ferries to the Greek islands, and mega yachts. The terminal features a 350-meter-long pier, modern passenger facilities, duty-free shops, travel agencies, restaurants, and cafés. With its prime location and proximity to the town center, Bodrum Cruise Port plays a vital role in the regional tourism economy.

For more information, visit:

www.bodrumcruiseport.com

Marella Cruises:

Marella Cruises is part of TUI UK and Ireland and TUI Group. It is the third largest cruise line in the UK. As of 1 June 2023, there are five ships in the Marella Cruises fleet, Marella Discovery, Marella Discovery 2, Marella Explorer, Marella Explorer 2 and the newest ship to the fleet, Marella Voyager. Marella Cruises offers its customers all-inclusive as standard with all tips and service charges included, customers enjoy an unrivalled level of service and award-winning entertainment. Marella Cruises has also received accolades at the Wave Awards in 2024 as Best for Entertainment and Good Housekeeping Reader Recommended for onboard service since 2019.