By Vaso Vegiri

 

Cruises in Thessaloniki are expected to move on a dynamic trajectory in 2025, as the planned arrivals show, with the leading international companies not only making their presence in the city more intense, but also planning the arrival of more and more luxury ships to the port.

 

The cruise sector has broken all records over the current year, but it is poised to perform even better in 2025.

 

According to the data posted on the website of OLTH SA (8/12/2024), for 2025, 78 cruise ships have already planned their arrival at the port of Thessaloniki.

 

Based on current data on the website of OLTH SA, the 2025 cruise season will open in Thessaloniki on 4/2/2025 with the arrival and overnight stay of the "Celebrity Infinity" at 10.30 from Piraeus and its departure the next day (5/2/2025) at 14.00, with destination Kusadasi, Turkey.

 

The 78th cruise ship expected to arrive at the port of Thessaloniki for 2025, based on the program posted on the organization's website (8/12/2024)- is the "Celestyal Journey", arriving on 16/11/2025 at 12.30 pm from Piraeus and departing at 17.00 for Kusadasi, Turkey.

 

In 2023, 68 cruise ships arrived at the port of Thessaloniki.

 

The port of Thessaloniki has dynamically entered the cruise map, as it is located in a strategic geographical position as one of the few ports worldwide where the cruise departure point is in the heart of the city, close to major landmarks and monuments of Northern Greece, such as ancient Pella, Vergina, Mount Athos and Amphipolis.

 

Thessaloniki is a modern European and multicultural city in the center of Northern Greece and the main gateway to the Balkans and the wider region of Southeastern, Central and Eastern Europe, with 15 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and more than 30 museums within walking distance of the port.

 

It is the first and only city in Greece to become a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network for offering a creative gastronomic experience. It offers a wealth of choices, and once visitors get to know the city's attractions, they will want to explore more.

 

Today, more than ever, Thessaloniki and the wider region offer cruise visitors unique and unforgettable cultural, historical, archaeological and gastronomic experiences.

 

In collaboration with local, national and international entities, the Thessaloniki Port Authority SA implements actions and actively participates in events and exhibitions for the further development of cruising, promoting Thessaloniki and the wider region as an ideal destination for cruise ships and cruise passengers in Northern Greece. 

 

Greece wins "Best Tourism Destination" award at GT Reader Survey

 

At the same time, Greece has been named the "Best Tourism Destination" internationally for the fourth consecutive year at the Global Traveler's GT Tested Reader Survey awards.

 

This is Greece's sixth distinction this year in the US tourism market, following previous awards at the Leisure Lifestyle Awards 2024 in May, at The Trazees Awards in August, at the Wherever Awards in September, and at the Recommend's 2024 Readers' Choice Awards and Travvy Awards a few days ago.

 

The GT Tested Reader Survey Awards have been organized for 21 years by the travel magazine "Global Traveler" (FX Express Publications) and have established themselves as one of the most important institutions in the US tourism industry.

 

The awards are based on the responses of the magazine's readers to the annual special survey it conducts through printed issues, the website (globaltravelerusa.com), social media and its email.

 

The survey for the 2024 awards was carried out from December 13, 2023, to August 31, 2024, with thousands of readers expressing their preferences in 80 individual categories (destinations, hotels, airlines, travel programs, products, etc.).