Major Cruise Companies “Eye” Heraklion For Home Porting

Four international cruise companies are currently in discussions with the Heraklion Port Authority to include the Cretan cruise destination as a homeport for their ships by 2015, according to the authority’s president and CEO, Yiannis Bras.

Cruise companies MSC and TUI have expressed an interest to home port in Heraklion as of next year, while Pullman Tours and Aida are in discussions to add Heraklion on their schedules as of 2015.

It is reminded that Heraklion is currently the homeport for itineraries of Costa Cruises and Louis Cruises.

“We are optimistic that by 2015 the percentage of home port passengers will exceed 40-45 percent of the total of cruise passengers at Heraklion Port,” Mr. Bras told GTP.

According to the authority’s estimates, 800 new airplane seats will be needed for every cruise company that will home port at Heraklion, while 120,000 overnights will be added to the destination.

Heraklion Port at 2nd Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum

Heraklion Port Authority President and CEO Yiannis Bras with Piraeus Port Authority General Manager Stavros Hatzakos.

Heraklion Port participated in the exhibition that accompanied the 2nd Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum that took place in Athens last week.

There, visitors were informed on the port’s comparative advantages and technological innovations that have been established to enhance the cruise experience of visitors.

Mr. Bras focused on the authority’s effort that sees to unite tourism with Heraklion’s primary sector and culture.

“By activating all five senses of our visitors we will be able to offer a better experience filled with emotions and as a result, we will have happy guests that will return to the island as tourists,” he said.