Filenews 18 June 2022 - by Ioanna Mantzipa
Ready to set sail for its maiden itinerary is the passenger ship M/V Daleela, which has anchored since Wednesday (15/6) at the port of Limassol. The managers of the shipping company Scandro, which undertook the maritime passenger connection between Cyprus and Greece, have been working feverishly for a few days now, putting the finishing touches and sorting out small loose ends so that everything is ready for the first trip.
After 21 years, Cypriots now have the opportunity to travel by boat from Limassol to Piraeus and vice versa. It is a service that, despite the initial difficulties that existed with the offers, nevertheless was crowned with success thanks to the persistent effort of the Deputy Minister of Shipping, Vassilis Dimitriadis and his associates.
The maiden voyage of the sea passenger connection has been set for Sunday, June 19 and on the first trip will be the Deputy Minister to the President, Kyriakos Kousios, the Deputy Ministers, Savvas Perdios and Vassilis Dimitriadis, the Deputy Minister of Tourism of Greece, Sofia Zacharaki, MPs from the Transport Committee, the Mayor of Limassol, journalists and associates of the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Shipping as well as the advisor to the Deputy Minister of Shipping, Andreas Karamitas. Before the ship's departure, an event will be held at the port of Limassol, where the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, will address the audience.
"It is as if they will travel by cruise ship and not by passenger ship", says to "F" the director of the shipping company Scandro and one of the owners, Marios Michael, stressing that the ship has been completely renovated and offers comfort and luxury that one encounters in modern cruise ships. The ship M/V Daleela was inspected in the previous days by officers of the Deputy Ministry of Shipping, while it was fully staffed with all staff and service officers.
"F" secured photographic material from its interior, with Mr. Michael revealing details about the spaces as well as the services that will be provided on this 30-hour trip to Piraeus and back. The passenger ship has been completely renovated as pointed out by the director of Scandro, noting that a large amount of money has been spent which exceeds half a million. "There has been a complete renovation. From the floors, the table seats, the crockery, the mattresses and the reception. From the garage up, passengers will feel like they are travelling on a cruise ship," he said.
On the first route, 120 passengers will travel, while 45 vehicles will be transported as well as motorcycles and bicycles. Also, about 5 pets will travel.
The M/V Daleela ship has a capacity of 400 people and has 6 VIP cabins, 38 1st class cabins (110 passengers), 68 2nd class cabins (180 passengers), 110 air seats and can carry more than 100 vehicles. Mr. Michael noted that the cabins of the 2nd class will be with common toilets, but separate men and women.
Initially passengers will encounter an impressive reception which, as Mr. Michael described to us, can hardly be found on modern cruise ships. On the same floor there is a playground for young passengers as well as reception areas. "Inside the ship there is a seating area where passengers will be able to sit in armchairs and enjoy their journey. This is a place with a lot of luxury", he noted, mentioning that there is also a clinic. On the same floor there are two bars. As he explained, one is located on the outside and the other is on the inside.
An important advantage, as Mr. Michael added, is that all the facilities - services of the ship are located on the first floor of the reception. "All services exist in this area, which has been properly configured so that there is easy access, even for those who face mobility problems."
In the casino area there will be casino tables and roulette, while there will also be 30 slot machines. The area has been properly configured with seats for passengers-visitors of the games of chance.
