Tourism Minister Haris Theoharis has informed the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the three largest companies operating in the sector in Greece (MSC Cruises, Costa, TUI Cruises) in a letter that the country's cruise sector will be open for business August 1.
The minister officially announced that from 01/08/2020 cruise ships will be allowed to visit 6 ports when entering Greece. Specifically, these are the ports of Piraeus, Rhodes, Heraklion, Volos, Corfu and Katakolo.
After their first mooring, the cruise ships will be able to approach any other Greek port included in their route. Theocharis clarified that these rulles will change only in the event of new epidemiological conditions.
"All cruise ships are welcome in Greece, to offer a unique experience to all their passengers," the minister said in his letter, adding that that "Greece is the first country responding to the cruise industry and has introduced health protocols, especially for this form of tourism. The health procedures that will be applied under the supervision of Greek authorities on cruise ships, are based on the published standards of the European Union (EU Healthy Gateways), while they have been adapted to the Greek legislation and the domestic data."
On the occasion of the sector resuming operations in Greece, Theocharis called on the companies to restart the procedures of Homeporting operations in Greece. Also, the minister asked the major international cruise agencies to recommend to their customers the trip to Greece beyond the summer season. "The current season extends to the end of the year," he emphasized.
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