Piraeus Homeport for MSC Lirica

By Anastasia Vamvaka

The MSC Lirica, the ultra-luxury cruise ship with 2,679 passengers and 721 crew members, the third largest cruise company in the world, is moored in the port of Piraeus and is preparing for its first cruise.

Moderate optimism in the cruise industry remains at the very end of the season, despite the difficulties in managing the ongoing pandemic, European wars and, of course, the sharp rise in energy and product costs.

MSC Lirica will make a new journey of seven nights, with a total of 28 itineraries between April and October from Piraeus, to destinations Kusadasi in Turkey, Haifa in Israel, Limassol in Cyprus and the picturesque Greek islands of Rhodes and Santorini. before returning again to the port of Athens.

This is the first time that MSC Cruises cruise ship has a port in Greece (homeport) and the first time that the company’s visitors can board in Piraeus. MSC Cruises is the third largest cruise company in the world, as well as the leader in Europe, South America, the Middle East and South Africa, with the largest market share and the largest operating capacity of any player. It is also the fastest growing cruise company in the world, with a strong presence in the markets of the Caribbean, North America and the Far East.

Although no new health protocols have been announced for the number of passengers, a crucial element for the successful course of the companies in the industry, no cancellations are recorded on the already closed cruises, which raises the expectations for a successful tourist bet.

Angelo Capurro, Chief Executive Officer of MSC Cruises, stated: “Travel by MSC Lirica, as with all MSC Cruises, will only be open to visitors who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 from the age of 12 and above.

But Greece is going to play an even bigger role this year for MSC Cruises in the Eastern Mediterranean region, as Crete will be one of the stops on MSC Lirica’s four 11-night routes in November and December 2022, with visits to Heraklion, while MSC Armonia will visit Piraeus on a weekly basis during the summer months.

Also, from September 2022, MSC Fantasia will make 11-night cruises to Piraeus station so that passengers can visit Athens. Finally, the summer itineraries of MSC Musica include visits to Katakolo (for access to Ancient Olympia), Heraklion and Santorini “.

And Mr. Capurro went on to say that “making MSC Lirica a base port of Piraeus for the summer of 2022, in addition to providing boarding to our Greek visitors, we seek to attract holidaymakers from international destinations to board the ship.

“Just this week we announced a new attractive ‘Stay & Cruise’ package, which includes up to two days in a four-star hotel and a city tour for guests to enjoy the sights and atmosphere of Athens.”