The 20-story Costa Venezia vessel from Italy was taking passengers from an 11-day voyage to the Aegean Sea when it docked in Galataport, its gangway connecting directly to the futuristic underground customs terminal.
The port is home to a shopping centre, a hotel, cultural venues and a restaurant owned by Turkish butcher Nusret Gökce, better known as Salt Bae, the social media star who sprinkles salt on steaks in front of celebrity customers.
"Galataport Istanbul is much more than a cruise port," Ayan said.
Around 30 cruise ships have so far anchored at Galataport and 200 more are expected by the end of the year, which amounts to 450,000 passengers.
The pandemic caused havoc in the global cruise ship industry as vessels were hit by outbreaks and vessels were banned in several countries.
"Now we can say that we have left the pandemic behind and that the cruise sector, which is an important segment of tourism, has revived and is on the move," Ayan said.
The target is 1.5 million cruise passengers and 25 million visitors annually.
"If a regular tourist spends $62 daily, a cruise passenger spends $400. He spends up to eight times more in one day," she said.
