The AF Marina has carried out its first ferry connection between Limasso and Pireus, after replacing the craft that had been carrying out the link since the service was first established.
"We hope for a good season with even more passengers, offering upgraded services, the CEO and Managing Director of Scandro Holding Ltd, the Cypriot shipping contractor company operating the maritime passenger ferry link between Cyprus and Greece, Charalambos Manolis, told CNA.
According to Manolis, the Italian-flagged ferry AF MARINA has replaced the Daleela, which had served the line since the start of the service. It was due to depart from the DP World Limassol passenger terminal, at around 1pm, carrying 129 passengers, 70 cars and seven to eight pets.
This, he continued, is a ship four years newer than the Daleela, built in 1994, with the capacity to transport 394 passengers and approximately 290 vehicles, offering upgraded services.
Scandro's Holding Ltd CEO also noted that now all cabins are category A and pets will be accommodated within cabins and not in kennels, significantly improving their travel conditions.
More specifically, the ship has 20 single, 10 double and 58 quadruple cabins, two triple cabins for people with disabilities, eight quadruple cabins for passengers with pets as well as 84 airline seats, with its infrastructure including a restaurant, cafeteria, medical office and casino.
Charalambos Manolis appeared optimistic about an increase in bookings, compared to last year, stating that, until yesterday, the total bookings concerned approximately 660 passengers, 2,000 cars, 600 motorcycles and 300 pets. “Compared to the same booking period last year, in total we have, so far, 800 more bookings,” he added.
Manolisindicated that fares were kept at the same low levels, as the company provided for the pre-booking of fuel based on last year's prices. A total of 22 round-trip routes will be operated, with the last route, from Piraeus to Limassol, scheduled for 1 September.
(Source: CNA)
