The MSC Magnifica (cc williwyss)

The arrival of a 293-meter-long cruise ship at the port of Piraeus on Tuesday has opened this year’s cruise season.

 

The MSC Magnifica, a 293-meter-long vessel was built in France in 2010, features 17 decks. It can host up to 3,200 passengers and 1,100 crew members.

 

The vessel also has a theatre, sports facilities and a specially designed retractable roof, making it ideal for winter cruises.

 

A total of 800 cruise ships have already included Piraeus in their itineraries for 2012.

 

In 2011, the port of Piraeus hosted 936 cruise ships and recorded roughly 2,515,191 passenger arrivals/departures, a 35 percent increase on the previous year.

 

The Magnifica and its captain, Giuseppe Maresca, was welcomed by Development, Competitiveness and Shipping Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis and Piraeus Port Authority (OLP) board members. (AMNA)