Clearly feeling the effects of the financial turmoil in Greece and the downturn in tourist numbers, Louis Cruises has unveiled an innovative programme that should increase flexibility for would-be passengers by allowing embarkation and disembarkation at most of the ports on the seven-night Eastern Mediterranean itineraries in 2013.
Two new ports for 2013 are Symi and Chios, although the new options are not extended to these ports. Louis will also move the base for the weekly cruise from Piraeus to Laviron, which has the dual advantage of being closer to Athens International Airport, and reducing the sailing time to Istanbul.
The move may be connected with the €220 million plan to expand Piraeus port’s cruise terminals, berths and other facilities, on which work is expected to commence in March 2013, and there will clearly be a certain amount of disruption to cruise callers.
