Greek Islands and Piraeus Remain Cruise Hotspots Despite Earthquakes

Greek islands and the port of Piraeus continue to be a major attraction for large cruise companies, despite the ongoing seismic activity in Santorini, the past two weeks. The world’s second-largest cruise company, Royal Caribbean International, has chosen Greece’s largest port as its home port for embarkation and disembarkation for cruises in the summer of 2025, featuring the Brilliance of the Seas.

Despite concerns about the cruise industry due to intense earthquakes shaking the iconic island of Santorini, a top cruise destination in the Eastern Mediterranean, cruise companies are not proceeding with cancellations and continue to announce their schedules for the Eastern Mediterranean and the Greek islands.

As Andreas Stylianopoulos, head of the tourism organization Navigator Travel and Tourist Services, stated during the presentation of Royal Caribbean’s 2025 program, companies have not yet canceled itineraries. However, if seismic activity persists, they may opt to bypass Santorini.

Stylianopoulos also noted the sector’s concerns about how cruise ships will approach the island even if the seismic activity ceases, especially if safety measures related to the Caldera’s slopes are not lifted.

Any potential changes to cruise schedules will be announced in the future, as cruise operations officially begin in mid-March. Route adjustments will depend on factors such as cruise duration and fuel costs, with the port of Chania, in Crete, being the primary alternative to Santorini.

The Viking Star, the first cruise ship that was set to open this year’s tourist season in Santorini, altered its course and docked in Chania instead of the Caldera.

Despite these developments, the cruise industry in the region is set for further growth, with Piraeus Port expecting a significant increase in traffic.

A total of 918 cruise ship arrivals have already been scheduled for 2025, with 714 of them designating Piraeus as their home port.

The port’s strategic importance is further highlighted by the presence of the world’s three largest cruise companies, which are set to make frequent stops either independently or through their subsidiaries.
Carnival and Royal Caribbean are both planning around 120 home port calls each, while MSC Cruises is expected to follow closely with approximately 110.

Source: tovima.com