Port Bastia (Corsica island, France) welcomed on September 20, 2021, Ponant's cruise ship Le Bellot for her maiden call.
Captain Quentin Dubois and his crew gave a warm welcome to the delegation of the Port Authorities, Anne-Marie Spinosi, Cruise Manager, and Captain Frederic Edeline, Harbor Master for the first plaque exchange ceremony in two years in Bastia.
Bastia and North Corsica Ports are due to receive a total of 90 calls during their summer cruise season, planned to run through October 31. Port Bastia is ending season 2021 with another Ponant ship - Le Jacques Cartier.
Bastia is a port city located on Corsica Island's northeastern coast. The town has a population of around 43,000, ranking it Corsica's 2nd-largest - following Ajaccio. Bastia is the island’s principal port (ferry and cargo) and main commercial town. It is also well known for its fine wines. About 10% of the population are immigrants. Commune’s unemployment rate has persistently been among the highest in France, standing at more than 20% in 2004. The inhabitants are known as Bastiais (Bastiaises).