By Paris Tsirigotis

 

 

Greece is emerging as the protagonist of the cruise sector in the Eastern Mediterranean for 2024, as the war climate in the Middle East seems to favor the port of Piraeus and Greek destinations.

 

According to "Naftemporiki, the demand for Piraeus, but also for popular destinations such as Santorini and Mykonos, has increased by approximately 50% compared to 2023.

 

Last year, in fact, the port of Piraeus made an impressive comeback. According to information gathered by "Naftemporiki", the major port recorded over 65% increase in passengers, over 100% in home port and over 10% in cruise ship arrivals. So far, scheduled cruise ship calls to Piraeus in 2024 exceed 1,000, compared to 750 a year ago.

 

2023 was the second impressive year in a row, as far as the big port is concerned, since in 2022, after the pandemic, the rise was also significant. Total passenger traffic amounted to 880,416 in 2022, compared to 303,665 in 2021, up 190%.

 

Cruise ship arrivals in Piraeus also increased by 79%, as they reached 677 from 379 the year before, surpassing even the pre-pandemic levels.

 

Homeporting arrivals recorded a 100.5% increase compared to 2021.

 

As for other destinations, Cyprus has lost momentum, while in Egypt the picture is mixed, as some companies cancel and others maintain their position.

 

CLIA's position

 

In terms of destination management, CLIA highlights the importance of having a fair and transparent Berth Management System, to better organize ship arrivals and departures, as well as the passenger experience.

 

This system exists in the port of Piraeus, while CLIA is in constant contact with the operators of the destinations for this specific issue, since it is the Association's first priority with regard to Greece.

 

Cruise Week

 

The details of this year's cruise strategies are expected to be outlined at the European Cruise Week, which will take place in Genoa from March 11 to March 14. The summit will include discussions between CEOs on how to make the ambition of net zero emissions a reality and the importance of organized tourism development and management in cruise destinations, as well as discussions on the protection of marine life.

 

Cruises from Piraeus to Greece, Turkey, Cyprus

 

 

A delegation of Navigator Travel & Tourist Services visited the ‘Celebrity Infinity' cruise ship, in the port of Piraeus, with the participation of fifty partners from tourist agencies and media representatives.

 

Navigator Travel & Tourist Service is Celebrity Cruises' exclusive sales representative in Greece.

 

From the beginning of February 2024 to the end of October, the Millennium-class 'Celebrity Infinity' will depart and return to Piraeus, making a variety of 7- to 11-night itineraries to Greek destinations such as Thessaloniki, Volos, Nafplion, Mykonos or Santorini, Istanbul and Kusadasi in Turkey and Limassol in Cyprus.

 

By choosing Piraeus as the base port of ‘Celebrity Infinity', Celebrity Cruises proves its commitment to investing in Greece and making it easier and more accessible to the Greek traveler to experience its unparalleled and multi-awarded hospitality, combined with the amazing destinations it visits.

 

'Celebrity Infinity' has 11 decks, is 294 meters long and can accommodate up to 2,170 passengers.

 

In January 2024, the ship was renovated at the Marseille shipyards. The two main changes include the creation of The Retreat Lounge for suite passengers and the conversion of Family Suites to Sunset Suites.

 

In the 2024 summer season, in addition to Celebrity Infinity, five more Celebrity Cruises ships will be in Europe.