INTERNATIONAL NEWS

 

Turkey’s Didim and Marmaris link up with Greek isles
23/6/2008

Turkey’s Didim Cruise Port welcomed The World last Saturday. The ResidenSea ship anchored in the sheltered bay and guests were ferried to the pier by tender for shore excursions to The Temple of Apollo.

The World is the third cruise ship to call at Didim, located on the south-west Aegean coast between Bodrum and Kusadasi, after Wind Star and Wind Spirit. The latter two Windstar Cruises’ ships are expected to make 39 calls to Didim this year. Land excursions centre on the ancient sites of Miletus, Priene and the Temple of Apollo at Didyma. There are also sandy beaches within walking distance of the pier.

Currently the pier at Didim is only suitable for ferries and tenders, although it has a new passenger terminal. Next month a regular fast-ferry connection will start to the Greek islands of Kos, Patmos and Samos, all of which are within a radius of 30 nautical miles.

Meanhwile at nearby Marmaris Cruise Port a new excursion is being offered for cruise guests. Passengers are able to take in the ancient history of the Greek island of Rhodes by fast-catamaran ferry whilst their ship is docked in Marmaris, enabling them to see two Mediterranean ports with one call. Crossing time is just 50 minutes, giving time for land tours on the island of Rhodes before returning to Marmaris the same day in time for their ship’s departure.

The trip has been successfully organised for Carnival Freedom’s call and Carnival Cruise Lines will continue to offer this excursion throughout its summer Med itineraries reports Marmaris Cruise Port, managing director, Sukru Tugay.