Sunday, May 29th marked a milestone occasion for the Ayia Napa Marina, as the iconic yachting and maritime destination in Cyprus and the Eastern Med welcomed its first cruise ship. As the massive state-of-the-art C/V SEADREAM II from Haifa in Israel anchored safely at the marina, cruise ship passengers and crew were welcomed by representatives of the Deputy Ministry of Tourism and the Ayia Napa Municipality, as well as the management and staff of the Ayia Napa Marina, with a simple ceremony. Approximately 80 passengers then had the opportunity to tour various locations around the island. The cruise ship departed the same night for Rhodes, with the crew and passengers left with excellent impressions of the beauties of Cyprus, as well as the innovative, high-end services and hospitality offered by Ayia Napa Marina.

Hosting the first cruise ship at the Ayia Napa Marina was particularly challenging, but the goal was achieved thanks to the expertise of the well-trained marina staff who offered disembarkation and embarkation services in accordance with all measures outlined by the competent authorities of the Republic of Cyprus (customs, port, health services). A surge in leisure tourism was also witnessed on the day as SeaDream II passengers set off on inland excursions, getting to know the beauties of Cyprus and enjoying a taste of traditions, customs, and local products; an occasion which will help to further promote the splendours of the island.

“This is a very important day for us as we have proven that we are not intimidated by large sizes,” stated Ayia Napa Marina CEO, Stavros Caramondanis. He then went on to add, “The first cruise ship, SeaDream II, has moored in the Marina, following last year’s arrival of superyacht Lana, and now there is truly no boat that cannot enjoy the wide array of high-quality services that we offer both to yachts and their passengers, within the marina and beyond. We remain dedicated to our goal of gaining the trust of ship owners of such magnitude, so that Ayia Napa Marina becomes a world-renowned maritime destination.”

Ayia Napa Marina, designed to provide excellent service to boat owners of all sizes, is an official port of entry to the Republic of Cyprus, and the only ISO 13687-1 certified marina on the island, offering world-class top-quality services and facilities. It is worth noting that the marina can safely accommodate 360 yachts including superyachts (such as the 100-metre Lana that moored at the marina last autumn) and cruise ships, while also providing storage services for 160 boats of up to 10 meters in the four-level Dry Stack, and an additional 80 spaces in the boatyard. Recently, the marina was awarded a Blue Flag, an international symbol of quality that encompasses over 50 countries from across the globe, awarded to organised beaches and marinas in accordance with strict criteria relating to organisation, cleanliness, environmental management and public services.

Marina services also include uninterrupted electricity provision, clean water and fuel, Wi-Fi for all boats and/or Fiber optics, fire safety, 24-hour security service, cleaning and laundry services, as well as exclusive crew and passenger service areas. The marina also features a Chandlery shop for the supply of necessary marine materials and boat accessories, and a specially designed relaxing Crew Lounge, offering catering services and free internet access.

For more information about the Ayia Napa Marina services, you can call (+357) 23 300 560 or email [email protected].