The numbers are high. And they require " a qualitative leap for the entire hospitality sector." This is what Emanuele Frongia, president of Fipe Confcommercio Sud Sardegna, claims, looking at data from the Cagliari cruise market: over 600,000 passengers expected and 181 calls in 2026 (+26% compared to 2025).

The season began on January 27th with the arrival of the first two ships, the Silver Muse and the Viking Vesta, and will conclude on December 27th. A total of 181 cruises are scheduled, of which 9 have already arrived between January and today: a start that confirms the positive trend but, at the same time, still leaves plenty of room to prepare for the heart of the season.

A significant new development concerns the extension of the calendar: arrivals are also expected in December, unlike last year. This signals a shift in perspective among industry operators, who are increasingly considering shoulder months, helping to deseasonalize tourist flows.

"These numbers represent a challenge we must face responsibly," says Frongia. "It's not enough to simply record growth: we must prepare to manage it, because we're talking about significant flows. The first nine cruises have already arrived, but there are still many more to come: now is the time to be ready."

There's also a significant shift, he adds, "because we're starting to work on a longer season, with arrivals expected until December. This means we're finally taking into account the shoulder months, a crucial aspect for ensuring continuity for businesses and stability for the sector."

FIPE emphasizes that the restaurant and catering sector is at the forefront of meeting this international demand. "It's a growing market that can offer concrete support to the local economy, even in a global context that has shown signs of uncertainty in recent weeks," Frongia continues. "We must support this sector and work on the quality of hospitality and services, to transform these arrivals into lasting value for the region."