The arrival of Marella Discovery II at the port of Limassol has formally marked the opening of Cyprus’ 2026 cruise season, reinforcing the island’s role as an emerging hub for cruise operations in the Eastern Mediterranean. The vessel will operate from the cruise terminal at DP World Limassol as its home port for the duration of the season.
The deployment highlights continued confidence in the port’s infrastructure and the broader tourism framework of Cyprus, including its international air connections. The programme also continues the “Fly & Cruise” concept, under which passengers travel to the island via Larnaca and Paphos airports before transferring directly to the cruise terminal in Limassol.
Operated by Marella Cruises, a subsidiary of TUI Group, Marella Discovery II features 11 passenger decks and 918 cabins. Onboard facilities include an outdoor cinema, a rock-climbing wall and a mini-golf course, forming part of the vessel’s entertainment and leisure offering.
During the season, which runs from April to November, the ship is scheduled to make 26 port calls from Limassol while operating 8-day itineraries across the Eastern Mediterranean. The programme includes visits to ports such as Kusadasi, Mykonos, Piraeus, Rhodes and Crete before returning to Cyprus at the conclusion of each voyage.
According to officials connected with the port’s operations, the return of the vessel demonstrates the growing importance of Limassol within regional cruise tourism. The port operator indicated that the cruise sector remains an important component of Cyprus’ tourism industry and suggested that ongoing investments would continue to strengthen the port’s capacity and enhance the experience for passengers and cruise operators.