ABSTRACT: Strong expansion of cruise ships traffic and cruising destinations in the Adriatic makes the region ideal for cruise ships routing analysis. The aim of this paper is to detect real cruise ships traffic movement in order to understand how present cruise ships routes are navigationally and environmentally sustainable and safe. Cruise ships characteristic operational demand and navigational routine in relation with regions indented coast line with high level of environmentally preserved areas in landscape of high national value, emphasise importance of real cruise ships routing awareness. The research is based on one year cruise ships traffic monitoring and routes analysis in the Central Adriatic East coast. The results offer detail insight of cruise ships navigational routines in navigationally less defined area that has not been frequent cruising region before. Cruise ships routes comparison is carried out between North Adriatic region, which is well defined with traffic separation schemes and navigational aids and less defined Central and South Adriatic regions. The results show that principle of cruise ships routing differ from standard maritime practice and that operational demand for attractive cruising and passenger experience bring cruise ships close to shores in various demanding navigational situations. That routing practice does not meet criteria of sustainability as it often present high navigational, safety and environmental risk.

KEYWORDS: Safety at Sea, Adriatic Sea, Cruise Ships, Eastern Adriatic, Ships Routing, Cruise Ships Routing, Cruise Ships Traffic, Ships Traffic

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