Sea Tourism

The Mediterranean now attracts some 15 percent of world cruise passengers, according to recent data from the Cruise Lines International Association. The prime source for cruise passengers continues to be North Americans, with some six million estimated for this year, or about 80% of the world’s cruising clients. For the next several years, the association predicts an approximate increase of nine percent annually.

As of this summer, the Star Flyer, a tall sailing cruise ship, runs a cruise from Piraeus every Saturday to the islands of Mykonos, Chios, Kusadasi, Patmos, Sifnos and Kea. Its alternate program includes the islands of Hydra, Santorini, Rodos, Bodrum and Paros.

The largest Greek-flagged catamaran yacht was officially presented for the first time last month at the Palio Faliro Yacht Club. Christened Neptune, the vessel ranks eighth in the world, and is unique in its class in the Mediterranean.

The proposed merger between Festival Cruises and Norway’s P&O fell through last month. Both companies said the low prices of cruise companies on international stock markets did not warrant any merger moves at the present time. They did not, however, exclude a merger sometime in the future when the markets are less volatile.

The Board of Directors of Strintzis Lines, now called Blue Star Ferries, recently announced the delivery of ‘Blue Star 2’ from the Dutch Shipyard Van der Giessen de Noord. ‘Blue Star 2’ is an ultra-modern ferry vessel with service speeds of up to 28 knots and an overall capacity for 1,600 passengers and 700 cars, or 100 trucks and 100 cars.

Greek Merchant Marine Minister Christos Papoutsis last month set up an independent committee of respected personalities and experts to draft framework legislation for the deregulation of the country’s coastal shipping sector.

The fastest cruise ship of its class is the world and the first newbuild of Royal Olympic Cruises sailed into Piraeus harbor last month exactly as planned, and was officially launched by Hellenic Republic President Costis Stephanopoulos.

Besides celebrating the arrival of new vessels, Strinztis Lines, now know as Blue Star Ferries, has received government approval to place its Blue Island and Blue Galaxy vessels in the Patras- Heraklion route as of July 2. The vessels depart from Patras every Sunday at 20:00 and from Heraklion every Monday at 22:00.

Minoan Flying Dolphins has taken delivery of the first of three Highspeed ferries built by the Australian firm Austal. The Greek flag was raised on the vessel Highspeed 2, which began to service routes in the Aegean last month.

Greece proves once again that its beaches and bathing waters are among the best in Europe. Like last year, the country was awarded 327 “European Blue Flags” for its clean, environmentally rich beaches from the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe.