Tourism and shipping ministers welcome Royal Caribbean’s commitment to Cyprus

Friday, February 4, 2022

Deputy Ministers for Tourism and Shipping Savvas Perdios and Vassilis Demetriades welcomed the assurances by Royal Caribbean’s interest to invest in Cyprus, expressing their readiness to enhance the island’s cooperation with the cruise liner.

Officials and media representatives were hosted in the world’s biggest ship, the Wonder of the Seas docked in the Limassol port, with Ben Bouldin, Royal Caribbean’s Vice President for Europe, the Middle East and Africa announcing that Limassol will be included in the company’s destinations in 2022 as part of its trips in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Recalling that the cruise vacation company operated on the island for the first time in 2021, with the Limassol port as its base with the cruise liner Jewel of the Seas, Bouldin said that in 2023 Limassol will be among the destinations in 2023 for the Rhapsody of the Seas.

Bouldin also expressed gratitude to the Cypriot authorities over the facilities granted to the seafarers amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cyprus, Bouldin added, has proved an exciting and popular destination for many of our clients and despite the difficulties due to restrictions in movement they have done enough showing that Cyprus is a base port they must build upon.

He also assured that Cyprus will be among the company’s plans beyond 2023, stating that Cyprus is a base pillar in the Royal Caribbean’s growth plan in Europe, adding that in the context of enhancing Royal Caribbean’s presence in the region, the company has decided to cooperate with a number of local tour operators.

Moreover, he added that Royal Caribbean will be the main sponsor of the football club, Apollon of Limassol, expressing hope the club will join the European football championships promoting the company’s logo.

Bouldin concluded by saying that the relationship between Royal Caribbean and Cyprus is blossoming, built upon wonderful cooperation, and is yielding benefits for the tourism sector.

On their part, both Cypriot Deputy Ministers assured that Cyprus will support cruise line companies.

Savvas Perdios said it is very important that the work done in Cyprus during the last few months appears to be yielding results, highlighting the announcement over the presence of Royal Caribbean in Cyprus beyond 2023.

On his part, Deputy Minister for Shipping Vassilis Demetriades referred to the facilities offered by Cyprus during the pandemic concerning crew changes, recalling that more than 55,000 seafarers assisted by Cyprus were able to return home, while Cyprus promoted a national vaccination programme covering 40,000 seafarers.

With Cyprus being a shipping state, they feel responsible for supporting seafarers and all personnel working aboard ships and that is why as a government have decided to facilitate them since the onset of the pandemic.

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