Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Astoria-Grande

In a significant maritime development, Türkiye prevented the Russian cruise vessel 'Astoria Grande' from docking at Istanbul's Galataport on the evening of November 19, 2023. The ship, which was carrying 616 passengers, had to anchor off the Sarayburnu district for several hours due to a lack of approval from Turkish maritime authorities before returning to its home port in Sochi. The 'Astoria Grande', Russia’s inaugural international cruise ship, was making its way to various destinations, including Türkiye, Egypt, and Georgia, and boasts a total capacity for 1,328 passengers. Among those on board were residents from Russia’s Krasnodar region, as well as travelers from Moscow and Leningrad. The incident comes in the wake of rising tensions, as Russia viewed this action as a form of retaliation, recalling a recent scenario where the Turkish ferry 'Sea Bridge' was compelled to return to Trabzon after being stranded off the Sochi coast for two days due to security issues. This marked the first voyage to Sochi from Trabzon in 14 years, highlighting the delicate state of maritime relations. The passenger list for the 'Astoria Grande' included 18 Russian nationals and two from Turkey. Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, asserted, "Russia is at war and has faced numerous challenges. We will reciprocate and act similarly. You can count on that." Reports suggest that the Russian authorities declined to allow the ferry due to insufficient coordination with federal agencies and additional complications as Sochi Port was undergoing drills until noon on the day of arrival. This unfolding situation reflects the complex geopolitical climate and the challenges within international maritime operations. For more details, visit the full report with images: https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkiye-blocks-russian-cruise-ship-from-istanbul-port-215997.

On July 31, the port city of Batumi saw a resurgence of protests as the cruise ship 'Astoria Grande', carrying 800 passengers, docked during its return journey to Istanbul. A contingent of around 200 demonstrators gathered at the port, holding placards that condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin for initiating the conflict in Ukraine. Tensions escalated when confrontations between protesters and officials erupted, leading to the arrest of nine individuals, including a Ukrainian woman, whose phone was confiscated by authorities. Protesters aimed eggs and bottles at the ship upon its arrival, reflecting their outrage. In response to the growing unrest, police heightened security measures, erecting metal barriers to control the crowd. Activists managed to obstruct the disembarkation of passengers, temporarily hindering the bus transportation set up to ferry tourists from the pier. Among the notable guests aboard the 'Astoria Grande' were various Russian celebrities and staunch supporters of Putin, including Mitya Fomin, a prominent figure from the ‘Za Rosiiu’ marathon and a supporter of Crimea's annexation. Ukraine has previously sanctioned Fomin due to his political stance. Other controversial figures included members of the band Testosterone, known for entertaining Russian military personnel, and Belarusian singer Dmitry Koldun, who has publicly endorsed Russian governmental policies. As the situation intensified, the 'Astoria Grande' departed from Batumi earlier than scheduled and will not be returning to the port. Reports, including videos and photographs documenting the events, are available at [this link](https://www.fr.de/politik/unterstuetzer-georgien-russland-kreuzfahrtschiff-ukraine-krieg-proteste-festnahme-putin-92435409.html).

On July 27, 2023, the cruise ship 'Astoria Grande,' carrying Russian tourists, experienced a sudden political upheaval during its scheduled port call in Batumi, Georgia. Initially, officials announced that the vessel would dock, as it was not included in any sanctions lists. However, as protests erupted along the waterfront, the Georgian government swiftly changed its stance, leading to the ship's early departure. The 'Astoria Grande' is operating a summer cruise season that kicked off from Sochi, featuring a series of stops at notable destinations including Trabzon, Amasra, Istanbul, and Batumi. Passengers can expect to pay around $1,200 per person for this seven-day journey. Originally named the AIDACara, the ship was acquired in 2021 by a coalition of Russian investors and rebranded as 'Astoria Grande,' commencing its cruise services in 2022. While the vessel is registered in Palau, ownership is listed in the Seychelles. Its marketing strategy is managed by Miray International, a Turkish company, although promotional efforts predominantly target the Russian market. For more details, view the full report with accompanying photo: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/cruise-ship-with-russian-tourists-jeered-by-georgian-protestors

The cruise line industry faces new challenges as the website www.astoriagrance.com announces the temporary suspension of ticket sales for the cruise liner Astoria Grande. The announcement, translated from Russian, states: 'We hereby inform you that Shipping company Aquilon and its official partners have temporarily halted the sale of cruise tickets for Astoria Grande due to technical reasons.' They emphasize that any ticket sales by unauthorized organizations are deemed unreliable. Since the operator of the former AIDAcara is a Russian entity, it is likely that the ongoing European sanctions have led to this pause in operations. As of May 18, 2022, the Astoria Grande has been idled off the coast of Istanbul, raising questions about its future in the marketplace.