For the first time in 21 years, Cyprus, an island republic in the eastern Mediterranean, has re-established regular sea contact with the outside world, says an article published in Canindia.
Ferry connection
President Nicos Anastasiades of Cyprus attended a ceremony in Limassol on Sunday to commemorate the commissioning of a ferry connection with Greece, praising the event as “historic.”
“At last, the umbilical cord through shipping that connected Cyprus with Greece, is being re-established in a more efficient way, with more modern ships, but also with the most important aspect, which was to offer this alternative possibility to the citizens who wanted it,” he said.
Leisurely trip
In October 2001, the last ferry from Cyprus to Greece departed.
Only cargo ships and international cruise ships stopped in Cypriot ports after that, according to the Xinhua news agency.
Ferries from Limassol to Rhodes and Piraeus ran on a regular basis until 2001, when they were phased out in favour of a 90-minute flight to Athens, as flights to Athens became more frequent and affordable.
Thousands of persons with aviation fear or who simply desired a leisurely vacation to Greece with the option of bringing a car sought the return of a ferry connection between Cyprus and Greece at all times.
Special permission
After getting special authorisation from the European Union, the Cypriot government was forced to offer a 5.5-million-euro (almost $5.77) annual subsidy in order to entice ship owners to operate a regular ferry route between Limassol and Piraeus.
The Daleena, a Cypriot-registered cruiser capable of carrying 270 passengers and 100 automobiles, will be in charge of the route.
It will take roughly 30 hours to complete the journey.
Reserved cabins
This year, Daleena will embark on 22 excursions before the end of September.
Almost all of the ship’s trips have been booked, according to the ship’s agents.
They also stated that 6,500 people had reserved cabins or seats on the cruiser, as well as 1,500 automobile berths.
Economy prime
A roundtrip VIP cabin ticket will cost 160 euros, which is about the same as an economy prime time flight, a return second class cabin will cost 80 euros, and a return berth for a car up to five metres in length would cost 203 euros.
All one-way tickets will cost half the price of a round trip ticket.
The ferry connection, according to Deputy Minister for Shipping Vassilis Demetriades, will serve a dual purpose, providing an alternative to air travel for inhabitants of Cyprus while also boosting maritime tourism, as people in Greece have demonstrated a strong interest. $1.05 (1 euro).
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Source: Canindia
