With four ports, Cyprus offers a diversified portfolio of potential cruise ship stops, starting with Limassol, the main commercial port for the country. There is also Larnaka, Cyprus’ second largest port, as well as two smaller tender ports Pafos and Latchi.

“Larnaka and Limassol have excellent facilities and can accommodate all type of ships,” said Eftychia Christodoulou, administrative officer, Cyprus Ports Authority.

Limassol is seeing the second stage of a multi-million euro project with the construction of a 500-meter extension to the port’s existing quay on its Western basis.

The first phase of the project saw the port dredged down to 17 meters for not only the Western basis, but the turning circle and entrance channel.

There is also a new passenger terminal being built on the Eastern quay, which has 11 meters of water depth and a 480-meter-long pier.

The investments aim to increase the capacity of the port as new and bigger ships continue to be built, said Christodoulou.

“This year we’re nearing 170 calls and 174,000 passengers,” said Christodoulou, who said traffic is up as ships have dropped other destinations due to security issues.