Royal Caribbean Cruises Explores Ways to Grow in Greece’s Waters

The number of Royal Caribbean Cruises’ passengers to Greece is expected to increase by 19,77 percent in 2020

The development of cruise tourism in Greece was at the center of a recent meeting in Athens between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and representatives of global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises.

The world’s second-largest cruise company, with 64 ships and 77,000 employees, Royal Caribbean Cruises is expected to bring 662,176 cruise passengers to Greece by the end of 2019. According to reports, in 2020 the company’s number of cruise passengers to the country is expected to increase by 19,77 percent, reaching 825,348 arrivals.

During the meeting with the Greek PM, cruise company’s representatives highlighted its interest to add calls to Greek ports of the mainland and the islands that have a cultural interest.

Also, aiming to support the economic activity of the communities of Greek cruise destinations, both sides discussed the possibility of local enterprises participating in the supply chain of cruise ships.

It was also noted that with the opening of new Greek destinations, a number of “unknown” areas of the country will be strengthened by 2020 through cruise tourism.

The meeting in Athens was attended by Greek ministers Adonis Georgiadis (Development and Investment), Yiannis Plakiotakis (shipping) and Harry Theoharis (tourism).

Royal Caribbean Cruises in Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean. Photo source: Royal Caribbean Cruises

Royal Caribbean Cruises controls and operates four global brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Azamara and Silversea Cruises. The company is also a 50 percent joint venture owner of the German brand TUI Cruises and a 49 percent shareholder in the Spanish brand Pullmantur Cruceros.

Navigator Travel is the exclusive agent of Royal Caribbean Cruises in Greece.