Piraeus, 10.05.2016
PRESS RELEASE
Management and executives of PPA headed by the General Manager Mr. Stavros Hatzakos, welcomed in the port of Piraeus, the newly built cruise ship "CARNIVAL VISTA" and handed honorary gifts to the captain Rocco Lubrano and books for the library board. In a formal ceremony attended by Secretary General of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Mr. Christos Lampridis, representatives of Customs, Shipowners Union of Cruise & Maritime Institutions, maritime agencies and others, while the Carnival was represented by Vice-President Michel Nestour.
The 324 m. long cruise ship with 3,700 passengers and 1,500 crew members, began its maiden voyage from Trieste, during the summer will use Piraeus as a port of arrival and departure of the Mediterranean routes and will reach five (5) times the port with about 50,000 passengers.
The start of cooperation with the Carnival Vista expected to contribute to further development of homeporting, is the result of the Management efforts during SEATRADE exhibition in Miami to attract major cruise companies and reinforce in this way the national effort for development. This agreement, if used properly, can provide enormous potential in the cruise business and to enhance the promotion of the Greek tourist product.
PPA in order to achieve smooth ship and passenger service has implemented a series of measures in areas within and outside the Passenger Terminal Themistocles, essential for the success of the whole project. These interventions relate to improvements of existing infrastructure and equipment and are summarized as follows:
• Create new indoor passenger waiting areas of 1000 seats with air conditioning and the necessary equipment to check in (60 points) for passengers.
• Conversion of the first floor of the departure hall as special waiting room and control (X-RAYS) of the ship's crew.
• Creation of additional posts for passenger screening, suitcases and hand luggage (X-RAYS).
On the occasion of the ship arrival Chairman & CEO of PPA S.A. Mr. Ioannis Kouvaris stated: "With great pleasure we welcome the Carnival Vista which marks a new era of homeporting development in Piraeus. The PPA can serve any cruise ship in capable facilities, providing high quality services in accordance with international quality standards ISO 9001: 2008 and environmental ISO 14001: 2004 and is emerging as the most secure and attractive destination in the Eastern Mediterranean ".
PHOTO3: the captain Rocco Lubrano with the General Manager of PPA SA Mr. Stavros Hatzakos.
PHOTO4 (left to right): the captain Rocco Lubrano, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy Mr. Christos Lampridis, the General Manager of Piraeus Port Authority SA Mr. Stavros Hatzakos, and the Vice-President of Carnival Mr. Michel Nestour.
