The port of Limassol has been
placed on the cruises map again. Two leading cruise companies, Royal Caribbean
and Celestyal Cruises, have already chosen the port as their base, while four
other cruise ships have included Limassol in their visiting destinations since
early July. A number that may increase, since as Deputy Minister of Shipping
Vassilis Demitriades pointed out to "Entrepreneurial Limassol", two
more companies are expected to include Limassol in their itineraries.
This is the first time
that large cruise companies give a vote of confidence in Cyprus, said Mr.
Demitriades, something that is attributed both to the benefits and facilities
given to their staff, as well as to the epidemiological indicators of the
country. The bet, he stressed, is to develop the port of Limassol, into an
important cruise center of the Mediterranean.
Thousands of visitors
Celestyal Cruises, a
member of the Louis Group, announced the launch of a new weekly service from
the port of Limassol with Celestyal Olympia from July 3. From Cyprus it will
set sail from July 10 for the Greek islands and the Jewel of the Seas, the
giant of Royal Caribbean, the largest cruise company in the world.
The fact, explained the
Deputy Minister of Tourism Savvas Perdios, that Royal Caribbean will have
Limassol as its base (home port) for the first time, something that was a goal
for tourist Cyprus for many years, is expected to benefit its economy by around
€ 40 million. This decision is added to the recent announcement of the same
company to include Cyprus in its program, with cruises that will start in
Israel, with its latest acquisition, the Odyssey of the Seas.
At the same time, Seabourn
Cruise Line, a member of the Carnival group, has included the port of Limassol
with two ships in its destinations during Mediterranean cruises. The port of
Limassol has been included in the itineraries that will offer, starting from
Greece and Celebrity Cruises, with the newly built Celebrity Apex.
Feverish preparations
Continuous teleconferences
of the relevant ministers, the bodies of Limassol (Municipality of Limassol, Limassol
Chamber and Limassol Tourism board) and the CEO of DP World Limassol, Nawaf
Abdulla, are continuous, for planning the reception and hospitality of the
thousands of visitors who will disembark from the cruise ships, events at the
port and points of interest.
The Mayor of Limassol,
Nikos Nikolaides, stressed that the city's authorities will do everything
possible, so that visitors have an unforgettable experience, through the
hospitality and promotion of attractions, as well as events that will promote
the uniqueness of Limassol and Cyprus, as a tourist destination.
Protocols
At the same time, the authorities
are awaiting the issuance of the health protocols prepared by the Ministries of
Transport and Health and the Deputy Ministries of Shipping and Tourism and are
expected to be made public within the next few days, which will clarify whether
boarding cruise ships from Cyprus, a vaccination certificate or simply a
negative PCR test result will be required.