700+ cruise ships are scheduled to arrive at Port Piraeus-Athens (Greece) in 2022 according to the Piraeus Port Authority.
The estimates are based on the 2022 berth bookings/reservations for the 700+ vessels of which over 60% are homeporting (with roundtrip itineraries from Piraeus). In 2019, prior to the COVID crisis, a total of 622 cruise ships were served.
The dynamic restart of the industry comes following a recovery rate of ~60% was achieved this year, compared to 2019, in terms of the cruise ship numbers.
In 2020 there was an 88% decrease compared to 2019 because of the crisis.
For 2022, an increase of ~18% is expected in comparison with 2019. At the same time, next year's new arrivals in the port of Piraeus include companies like Virgin Voyages and Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. Of them ~60% are homeport cruises, which positively contribute to the local and national economy.
According to PPA President Yu Zengang, "the immediate and rapid restart of the cruise industry reflects the capabilities and high-quality services offered by Port Piraeus, the support it offered cruise companies during the pandemic, and of course its positioning as a unique hub."
“It is certain that with the end of the pandemic, Port Piraeus will once again become one of the best ports in the Mediterranean and Europe and will further strengthen the Greek tourism industry in Europe. ”