The countdown to the Mediterranean Games has officially shifted into high gear with the arrival of the cruise ship Aroya Manara in Taranto, Italy. The cruise ship docked at the Italian Navy base on Sunday, marking a major milestone as the city prepares to welcome thousands of athletes from across the Mediterranean region.

Rather than building a traditional athletes' village, organizers have turned to cruise ships to provide accommodation for competitors, officials and support staff. The arrival of Aroya offers the first real look at how this unique floating village will operate during the Games.

Originally built as World Dream before joining Aroya Cruises, the ship features more than 1,600 cabins and can accommodate over 3,300 guests. During the event, Aroya will serve as the primary home for athletes and delegations arriving from 26 countries across three continents.

What makes this setup particularly unusual is the location. The ships will be docked inside the naval base, placing the Mediterranean Sea at the center of daily life for participants. Instead of apartment blocks and temporary housing complexes, athletes will live aboard modern cruise ships while competing throughout the Games.

Aroya will soon be joined by Tallink's Romantika, which is scheduled to arrive the following day. Together, the two vessels will create a floating village capable of housing thousands of visitors during the competition.

Local officials welcomed the ship upon arrival, including Alessia Maurelli, former captain of Italy's rhythmic gymnastics team and now mayor of the Mediterranean Village, alongside Games General Director Carlo Molfetta.

The Mediterranean Games officially open on August 21 at Taranto's newly renovated Iacovone Stadium. With Aroya now in port and Romantika on the way, the city is beginning to see its ambitious vision come to life, with cruise ships playing a central role in one of the region's biggest sporting events.