Sea Tourism

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) announced 2008 would be a record year for the cruise industry with their members carrying some 12.8 million passengers, of which 10.5 million are from North America and 2.3 million from other markets.

Celebrity Cruises recently announced an industry-first on their newest cruise ship, Celebrity Solstice, as 2,130 square meters of its top deck surface would be covered with real growing grass set in an innovative new country club environment known as “The Lawn Club.”

The world-renowned cruise ship “Queen Elizabeth 2” recently set sail from Southampton for its last voyage around the world. The cruise ship “Queen Victoria” that is on its maiden voyage and will replace the Queen Elizabeth 2 in due course escorts the cruise ship on its final voyage.

Louis Hellenic Cruises, the operator of the ferry “Sea Diamond” that sunk off the coast of Santorini last April, claims it has successfully completed the cleanup operation in the area near the site of the accident. In its official announcement, the company claims, “The cleanup operation left the beaches in a cleaner state than before the accident took place,” and has consequently halted the operation.

Azamara Cruises recently added the refurbished cruise ship Azamara Quest to its fleet, which will conduct cruises in the Mediterranean with Pireaus as the port of embarkation or disembarkation, from June to November 2008.

Some 18,000 visitors passed through the Exclusive Yachting 2007 exhibition held recently at the Marina of Agios Kosmas. The five-day event offered visitors, according to the organizers, Europartners, a unique experience of yachting and lifestyle up to par with other international exhibitions of this kind held in Cannes, Monaco and Genova.

The Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association chose World Maritime Day (27/9/07) to announce that “ships remain the safest and most environmentally friendly means of travel as recent statistics show activity on land is responsible for eighty percent of sea pollution whereas maritime activity is responsible for only ten percent, having seen a two percent decrease since 1990.”

Marfin Investment Group recently acquired through its 100 percent subsidiary, MIG shipping, a 49.9 percent stake in the Attica Group— Superfast Ferries and Blue Star Ferries— at the price of 5.50 euros per share. In total, MIG now holds a 51.3 percent stake in Attica. Pericles Panagopoulos will retain his position as chairman of Attica, while Andreas Vgenopoulos will assume the position of non-executive vice-chairman of the Company.

Celebrity Cruises, whose general sales agent in Greece is Navigator Travel, recently provided its passengers with an autonomous tour guide device for its fine art collection on seven vessels of the company’s fleet.

Leading world tour operator, TUI AG, and cruise company, Carnival Corporation, have annulled their cooperation agreement initiated earlier this year.