The first cruise ship from Israel arrived at the port of Larnaca on Friday, carrying 1,600 passengers, who will spend the night on board and take part in excursions around the island. In statements upon the cruise ship's arrival at the port, the General Manager of Kition Ocean Port, Paris Demetriou, described the arrival of the cruise ship "Crown Iris" at the port of Larnaca as "very important" and added that "it is the first of 25 cruise ships that will arrive in Larnaca and Limassol this summer. Kition Ocean Port is trying in this area to develop the product and bring as many tourists and passenger ships as possible, something that will strengthen both the city's tourism product and tourist traffic." Responding to a question, Demetriou said that the Israeli company Mano Cruises supports the port of Larnaca "since it carried passengers last year as well". "We had received very good feedback from the passengers of the ship," he added and noted that there are always some small organisational problems in the first cruises, nevertheless "we are at a very good level." Asked to comment on whether the port of Larnaca is ready to receive such large cruise ships, Demetriou answered positively and noted that "with the completion of the first phase of the works, the new terminal will be ready, which will further help the development of cruise tourism both in the port and the city". In response to another question, he said that "always when ships approach the port they are refuelled and this is a service we offer. There is definitely an economic benefit from this service and a multi-level activity with ships of this size". For his part, General Manager of Louis Travel Pambos Charalambous explained that "today the first itinerary for this year from Israel took place", adding that this particular route with the 'Crown Iris' ship has been offered by the company "for decades", and noted that the ship is full, as it is every time. 'This year we will have a total of ten arrivals and the route departs on Thursday from Haifa, Israel, arrives in Larnaca port on Friday around noon and leaves on Saturday afternoon", he said. In response to a question, Charalambous said that "a total of ten cruise ships will arrive in the port Larnaca from Israel by September. In October and November the company will operate similar cruises from Limassol," he said. He also noted that this year the company will carry out a total of 25 routes which will carry over 40 thousand tourists. 'The company has been supporting for decades both the city of Larnaca and Cyprus in general, since during the time the ships are in port there are several excursions, while those passengers who do not go on them, visit the shops, restaurants and cafes of Larnaca". He also said that Louis Travel organises excursions to Lefkara, Nicosia and Ayia Napa, among other areas.
Source: Cyprus News Agency