Limassol , also known as Lemesos , is a city on the southern coast of Cyprus and capital of the Limassol district . Limassol is the second-largest urban area in Cyprus after Nicosia , with an urban population of 195,139 and a district population of 262,238. The Limassol municipality is the most populated in Cyprus, with a population of 108,105, followed by Strovolos in Nicosia.
116-503: MS Starward was a cruise ship built in 1968 at the AG Weser shipyard in Bremerhaven , West Germany . Originally commissioned for Norwegian Caribbean Line after the success of its first ship, Sunward , Starward was the first purpose-built ship for the newly-established cruise line. In 1995, Starward was sold to Festival Cruises , which they renamed the vessel Bolero . The vessel
232-736: A museum ship , still gets underway several times a year for six-hour "Living History Cruises" that take the ship through Baltimore Harbor, down the Patapsco River , and into the Chesapeake Bay, and she is also the largest cruise ship operating under the American flag on the United States East Coast. Currently the three largest cruise line holding companies and operators in the world are Carnival Corporation & plc, Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings . As an industry,
348-405: A 250 metres (820 feet) breakwater, can accommodate only three small ships at a time and is primarily used by fishing boats. These ports facilitate the export of grapes, wines, carobs, and citrus fruits , as well as the import of cereals , vehicles , machinery, textiles, agricultural medicines, fertilizers , and iron. The Limassol Marina , built in 2014, is located 500 metres (1,600 feet) west of
464-458: A North American clientele added every year since 2001, as well as others servicing European clientele until the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 saw the entire industry all but shut down. The average age of a cruise ship in 2024 is 17.5 years. Operators of cruise ships are known as cruise lines, which are companies that sell cruises to the public. Cruise lines have a dual character; they are partly in
580-417: A combined capacity of 664,602 passengers. Cruising has become a major part of the tourism industry, with an estimated market of $ 29.4 billion per year, and over 19 million passengers carried worldwide annually as of 2011 . The industry's rapid growth saw nine or more newly built ships catering to a North American clientele added every year since 2001, as well as others servicing European clientele until
696-448: A crew deck with a swimming pool and hot tubs. The International Labour Organization 's 2006 Maritime Labour Convention is also known as the "Seafarers' Bill of Rights". Most cruise lines since the 2000s have to some extent priced the cruising experience à la carte , as passenger spending aboard generates significantly more than ticket sales. The passenger's ticket includes the stateroom accommodation, room service, unlimited meals in
812-531: A day, making it the second largest concentration of Olympic accommodation behind the Olympic Village. This hosting solution has been used since then in Games held in coastal cities, such as at Sydney 2000 , Athens 2004 , London 2012 , Sochi 2014 , Rio 2016 and was going to be used at Tokyo 2020 . Cruise ships have been used to accommodate displaced persons during hurricanes. For example, on 1 September 2005,
928-475: A deliberate design to prevent Turks from riding horses into the homes. During the period of Turkish rule, Cyprus experienced a general decline. The Turks did not contribute to any development, and Greeks and Turks lived in separate neighbourhoods. The intellectual standards of Cypriots declined due to the lack of interest from the conquerors, oppression, and high taxation, which hindered the intellectual development of children. The church played an important role in
1044-456: A different ship. Due to a storm, the women's ship arrived in Limassol. Isaac Komnenos , the renegade Byzantine governor of Cyprus, invited the noblewomen ashore, with the intention of holding them for ransom, but they refused. So he refused them fresh water and they had to put out to sea again or yield to capture. When Richard arrived in Limassol and met Isaac Komnenos, he asked him to contribute to
1160-451: A diverse range of ethnically themed restaurants aboard each ship. Ships also feature numerous bars and nightclubs for passenger entertainment; the majority of cruise lines do not include alcoholic beverages in their fares and passengers are expected to pay for drinks as they consume them. Most cruise lines also prohibit passengers from bringing aboard and consuming their own beverages, including alcohol, while aboard. Alcohol purchased duty-free
1276-582: A fascinating collection of antiquities discovered in the district, spanning from the Neolithic Age to the Roman period . Among the notable artifacts are stone axes from the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods, pottery and objects from the ancient cities of Kourion and Amathus , as well as Roman terracottas , gold jewelry, coins, sculptures, columns , vases, earrings, rings, necklaces, and marble statues. The museum
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#17328693046901392-427: A few hundred passengers". After 1980, they offered increasing amenities. As of 2010, city-sized ships have dozens of amenities. There have been nine or more new cruise ships added every year since 2001, including the 11 members of the aforementioned Vista class, and all at 100,000 GT or greater. The only actual ocean liner to be completed in recent years has been Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 in 2004. Following
1508-415: A medieval museum. The museum’s collection spans from 400 to 1870 AD, showcasing a variety of exhibits including cannons , 17th and 18th-century wood carvings , paintings, tombstones , statues, suits of armor, coins, terracotta , metalware, pottery, glass, and marble artifacts. The Kolossi Castle , located about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) west of Limassol, is a medieval fortress originally built in
1624-520: A perimeter accessible only by passengers and not by locals. Ports of call have often oriented their own businesses and facilities towards meeting the needs of visiting cruise ships. In one case, Icy Strait Point in Alaska, the entire destination was created explicitly and solely for cruise ship visitors. On "cruises to nowhere" or "nowhere voyages", some cruise ships make two- to three-night round trips without visiting any ports of call. Travel to and from
1740-501: A reputation as "party ships" for younger travelers, but have become large, modern, yet still profitable, as well as Holland America Line and Cunard Line, whose ships cultivate an image of classic elegance. In 2004, Carnival had merged Cunard's headquarters with that of Princess Cruises in Santa Clarita, California so that administrative, financial and technology services could be combined, ending Cunard's history where it had operated as
1856-574: A rich history with various influences by various civilisations. The most notable ruin is considered to be the Temple of Aphrodite , a major centre of worship and a sacred place for ceremonies and offerings, sitting atop the Acropolis of Amathus. Many tombs dating to the Iron Age can be found, as well as remnants of public baths and other buildings in the ancient Agora . One of the most remarkable finds from Amathus
1972-663: A series of fires burned on the island. Most cruise ships sail the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. Others operate elsewhere in places like Alaska , the South Pacific, the Baltic Sea and New England . A cruise ship that is moving from one of these regions to another will commonly operate a repositioning cruise while doing so. Expedition cruise lines, which usually operate small ships, visit certain more specialized destinations such as
2088-558: A standalone company (subsidiary) regardless of parent ownership. However, Cunard did regain some independence in 2009 when its headquarters were moved to Carnival House in Southampton. The common practice in the cruise industry in listing cruise ship transfers and orders is to list the smaller operating company, not the larger holding corporation, as the recipient cruise line of the sale, transfer, or new order. In other words, Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line, for example, are
2204-964: A year's layover and returned to service in July 2017. In October 2017, the ship was again out of service near Piraeus. With her 49 years of service, she was one of the longest-serving cruise ships in the world. In 2018, she was sold for scrap, and was broken up at Alang , India on 17 July 2018. Cruise ship Cruise ships are large passenger ships used mainly for vacationing . Unlike ocean liners , which are used for transport, cruise ships typically embark on round-trip voyages to various ports of call, where passengers may go on tours known as "shore excursions". Modern cruise ships tend to have less hull strength, speed, and agility compared to ocean liners. However, they have added amenities to cater to water tourists , with recent vessels being described as "balcony-laden floating condominiums". As of November 2022 there were 302 cruise ships operating worldwide, with
2320-659: Is a large limestone amphora , now housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris . This vase dates back to the 6th century BC and weighs 14 tonnes (14,000 kg). Kourion is another ancient city-kingdom, situated approx. 19 kilometres (12 mi) west of Limassol, with a rich history dating back to the Neolithic period , with significant developments during the Hellenistic , Roman , and Early Christian periods. The centerpiece of Kourion
2436-427: Is defined for the ship, often suits and ties or even tuxedos for men, and formal dresses for women. The menu is more upscale than usual. Besides the dining room, modern cruise ships often contain one or more casual buffet-style eateries, which may be open 24 hours and with menus that vary throughout the day to provide meals ranging from breakfast to late-night snacks. In recent years, cruise lines have started to include
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#17328693046902552-578: Is located in a preserved historic house and features a collection of Cypriot folk art from the past two centuries. The collection includes national costumes, tapestries, embroidery, wooden chests, waistcoats, men’s jackets, necklaces, various light garments, town costumes, and rural tools. Established in 1985, the museum houses over 500 exhibits across six rooms. It was awarded the Europa Nostra prize in 1989. Visitors can explore Cypriot culture through these handmade exhibits. The Archaeological Museum offers
2668-589: Is one of the ten castles of Cyprus , constructed by the Byzantines around 1000 AD. A chapel was also built on the site during the same period. It is believed that Richard the Lionheart married his fiancée, Princess Berengaria of Navarre , at this location in 1191 after her ship was grounded nearby while she was accompanying him to the Third Crusade . The castle served as a prison from 1790 to 1940 and now functions as
2784-472: Is sealed and returned to passengers when they disembark. There is often a central galley responsible for serving all major restaurants aboard the ship, though specialty restaurants may have their own separate galleys. As with any vessel, adequate provisioning is crucial, especially on a cruise ship serving several thousand meals at each seating. For example, a quasi "military operation" is required to load and unload 3,600 passengers and eight tons of food at
2900-542: Is the Greco-Roman theatre , originally built in the 2nd century BC and expanded in the 2nd century AD. It has been restored and is still used for open-air performances, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea . The Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates was dedicated to Apollo Hylates , the god of the woodland. It includes the remains of a temple , a bath complex, and a palaestra (wrestling school). The medieval Limassol Castle
3016-513: Is the largest industrial centre in the district, hosting around 350 industrial units with 90 industry wares. These industries include dressmaking, furniture, footwear, beverages, food, printing, metalwork, electrical devices, plastics, and more. Limassol is a key trade centre in Cyprus, partially due to the presence of the UK sovereign base at Episkopi and Akrotiri , and the population displacement following
3132-695: Is warm and usually sunny. It begins in the end of November and in December. During this period of the year, temperatures range from as low as 12 °C (54 °F) to as high as 20 °C (68 °F). This season the weather differs from year to year and it can be very wet with violent thunderstorms sometimes (October 2009 rainfall was around 90 mm (3.5 in)) or very dry (October 2007 rainfall of 2 to 5 millimetres (0.079 to 0.197 in)). Limassol receives around 410 mm (16.1 in) of rain each year but this varies from year to year and sometimes droughts do occur (every 3–5 years). The rainy season 2009–2010
3248-647: Is “ ONE ", Cyprus’s tallest tower and Europe’s tallest seafront residential building. Another notable project is the “ City of Dreams Mediterranean (CoDM) ”, the first and largest integrated resort in Europe. In 2023, CoDM received the Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality and Lifestyle Award for “Best New Luxury Casino Resort in the World". Amathus is an ancient city-kingdom, located about 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) east of Limassol, dating back to 1100 BC, with
3364-455: The AG Weser shipyard in Bremerhaven , West Germany , Starward would also have a roll-on/roll-off freight capacity to transport vehicles. During construction, however, the demand for cruises on Sunward greatly exceeded, which prompted Kloster to request Wandborg to change the design and exclude the freight capacity for cabins instead. On 21 December 1968, Starward sailed on its first cruise out of Miami , Florida, United States. Starward
3480-431: The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 saw the entire industry all but shut down. The average age of a cruise ship in 2024 is 17.5 years. The construction market for cruise ships is dominated by three European companies and one Asian company. Operators of cruise ships are known as cruise lines. Cruise ships are organized much like floating hotels, with a complete hospitality staff in addition to the usual ship's crew. Traditionally,
3596-472: The French Line 's SS France (1961), and Cunard Line 's RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 (1969) were designed to serve the dual purposes of ocean liner during the northern hemisphere summer months and cruise ship in the winter, incorporating doors and baffles that could be open or closed to divide classes or open the ship to one class, wherein all passengers received roughly the same quality berthing and most of
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3712-465: The Nareg Armenian School ( Armenian : Նարեկ Հայկական Վարժարան ). There is also an Armenian village in the Limassol district called Armenochori ( Greek : Αρμενοχώρι ). The population birth rate rose by 70% during the late 19th and 20th centuries (1878–1960). The number of inhabitants increased from 6,131 in 1881 to 43,593 in 1960. The Greek Cypriot population was estimated at 37,478, while
3828-471: The Nareg Armenian School also has a campus in the city, one of three on the island. In terms of higher education, Limassol is the base of Cyprus University of Technology (CUT) , one of three state universities , established in 2004. The city is also home to Frederick University and the University of Limassol, which are both private universities. Many institutions of tertiary education can be found in
3944-550: The Oasis -class ships is the split, atrium structure, made possible by the hull's extraordinary width, with the 6-deck high Central Park and Boardwalk outdoor areas running down the middle of the ship and verandas on all decks. In two short decades (1988–2009), the largest class cruise ships have grown a third longer (268 to 364.75 m, 879 ft 3 in to 1,196 ft 8 in), doubled their widths (32.2 to 65.7 m, 105 ft 8 in to 215 ft 7 in), nearly tripled
4060-650: The Ottomans in 1570. Latin battalions which established monasteries were settled down there. The settlement of merchants in Cyprus and particularly in Limassol in the 13th century led to the financial welfare of its inhabitants. Its harbour as a centre of transportation and commerce, contributed greatly to the financial and cultural development . Cyprus was sold in 1489 to Venice by the Cypriot Queen Catherine Cornaro . The Venetians were not interested in Cyprus. They only wanted to receive taxes and exploit
4176-868: The Port of Limassol became the Republic of Cyprus’s main seaport . Prior to that, the role had been filled by the port of Famagusta , now located in the de facto state of Northern Cyprus , which is not recognised as a legal port by any country except Turkey . Limassol is home to many of Cyprus’s wine companies, which cater to the wine-growing regions on the southern slopes of the Troodos Mountains , including Commandaria . Notable companies such as KEO , LOEL, SODAP, and ETKO produce award-winning wines and brandies ( cognacs ) in international exhibitions. These products are highly consumed by both locals and tourists, with significant quantities exported to Europe. Limassol
4292-729: The South Pacific , and the Baltic Sea . Large cruise ships have been identified as one of the major causes of overtourism . Italy, a traditional focus of the Grand Tour , offered an early cruise experience on the Francesco I , flying the flag of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies . Built in 1831, the Francesco I sailed from Naples in early June 1833, preceded by an advertising campaign. Nobles, authorities, and royal princes from all over Europe boarded
4408-507: The Turkish Cypriot inhabitants of Limassol were transferred to the north of Cyprus. Accordingly, many Greek Cypriots refugees who were uprooted from their homes in the north, fled, and settled down in the city. When Famagusta was occupied by Turkish troops, Limassol experienced rapid growth fuelled by the large population increase and the need for housing. Many luxury hotels, restaurants and entertainment venues were built, making Limassol
4524-476: The collapse of the Soviet Union . The city has also become increasingly popular with Russian and other post-Soviet nationals and expatriates, earning the nickname “Limassolgrad". Today, about 17% of Limassol’s population is Russian-speaking, and 8% are Russian citizens. Historically, Limassol had a mixed population of Greek Cypriots , Turkish Cypriots , and Armenian Cypriots . Most Turkish Cypriots moved to
4640-414: The ongoing conflict with Israel. Orient Queen was escorted by USS Gonzalez , a U.S. Navy guided missile destroyer , and USS Barry . It took the evacuees to the port of Larnaca in Cyprus. In August 2006, Orient Queen was sold to Louis Cruise Lines of Cyprus and operated cruises under the same name. In 2013, Louis Cruise Lines renamed Orient Queen as Louis Aura , which sailed to
4756-602: The "megaships" of Carnival and Royal Caribbean—designed such that virtually all of their suites are balconies. Several specialty lines offer "expedition cruising" or only operate small ships, visiting certain destinations such as the Arctic and Antarctica, or the Galápagos Islands . John W. Brown , which formerly operated as part of the United States Merchant Marine during World War II before being converted to
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4872-564: The 13th century by the Knights of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem , also known as the Knights Hospitaller. The current structure, rebuilt in 1454, features a well-preserved three-story keep and an attached rectangular enclosure . The castle played a significant role in the production of sugar from local sugarcane and is also associated with the famous Commandaria wine. The Folk Art Museum
4988-456: The 1880s. In 1912, electricity replaced the old lanterns. From the first years of the British occupation, a post office , a telegraph office and a hospital began to operate. In 1880, the first printing press started working. It was in this printing press that the newspapers Alithia and Anagennisis were published in 1897. The newspaper Salpinx was published at the same time. At the end of
5104-488: The 1960s, intercontinental travelers switched from ships to planes, sending the ocean liner trade into a terminal decline. Certain characteristics of older ocean liners made them unsuitable for cruising duties, such as high fuel consumption, deep draught preventing them from entering shallow ports, and cabins (often windowless) designed to maximize passenger numbers rather than comfort. In the late 1950s and 1960s, ships such as Holland America Line 's SS Rotterdam (1959),
5220-432: The 1990s led to many cruise lines being bought by much larger holding companies and continue to operate as "brands" or subsidiaries of the holding company. Brands continue to be maintained partly because of the expectation of repeat customer loyalty, and also to offer different levels of quality and service. For instance, Carnival Corporation & plc owns both Carnival Cruise Line , whose former image were vessels that had
5336-472: The 19th century, the first hotels began to operate. Among these were Europe and Amathus. These changes that the British brought about contributed to the development of an intellectual and artistic life. Schools, theatres, clubs, art galleries , music halls , sport societies, football clubs etc. were all set up and meant a great deal to the cultural life of Limassol. Due to the Turkish invasion of Cyprus in 1974
5452-520: The Arctic and Antarctica, or the Galápagos Islands . Limassol Limassol was built between two ancient Greek cities , Amathus and Kourion . Its historical centre is located around the medieval Limassol Castle and the Old Port. Today the city spreads along the Mediterranean coast and has extended much farther than the castle and port, with its suburbs stretching along the coast to Amathus. To
5568-645: The Greek Isles from Limassol , Cyprus and Piraeus , Greece. Under the flag of Malta, the ship was owned and operated by the Cyprus-based company Louis Cruises. For the summer season of 2014, the ship executed 3/4/5/6 & 7-day cruises to the Greek Isles departing from Limassol, Cyprus. In 2017, the Turkish travel agency Etstur chartered the ship. At the end of May 2017, the ship was renamed Aegean Queen after more than
5684-478: The Limassol Castle, on the Old Port. This new development allows berthing of ocean-going yachts, having hosted its first yachts in 2013. The marina has a capacity of 1,000 vessels. Since 2014, Limassol has experienced a construction boom driven by the tourism sector and increasing foreign investments. Public projects, such as the redesign of the one-kilometre (0.62-mile) Limassol Molos promenade, have enhanced
5800-638: The Turkish Cypriot population was at 6,115. Limassol has an educational infrastructure which spans primary education , secondary education and higher education . There are over a hundred public educational institutions in the city, mostly taught in Greek. Laniteio Lyceum , the oldest lyceum in the city, and the largest on the island, known as the Greek School when it was established in 1819, led education with many advancements that public education lacked at
5916-475: The Turkish invasion in 1974. The main trade markets are located in the town centre and the coastal tourist area, stretching from the Old Port to the Amathus area. This area is home to most of the hotels , restaurants , confectioneries , discos , and entertainment venues. Major global retail shops can be found on Anexartisias Street and Makariou Avenue , the city’s primary shopping streets, as well as at MYMALL ,
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#17328693046906032-553: The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) contracted three Carnival Cruise Lines vessels ( Carnival Fantasy , the former Carnival Holiday , and the Carnival Sensation ) to house Hurricane Katrina evacuees. In 2017, cruise ships were used to help transport residents from some Caribbean islands destroyed by Hurricane Irma , as well as Puerto Rico residents displaced by Hurricane Maria . The cruise ships have also been used for evacuations. In 2010, in response to
6148-486: The addition of a casino and other entertainment amenities, the crossing was advertised as a vacation in itself. The 1977–1986 television series The Love Boat helped to popularize the concept as a romantic opportunity for couples. Industry experts credit the series with increasing interest in the cruise industry, especially for those that weren't newlyweds or senior citizens, and for the resulting demand to spur investment in new ships instead of conversions. The influence
6264-869: The base fare on Regent Seven Seas ships includes most alcoholic beverages on board ship and most shore excursions in ports of call, as well as all gratuities that would normally be paid to hotel staff on the ship. The fare may also include a one-night hotel stay before boarding, and the air fare to and from the cruise's origin and destination ports. Many cruise lines have loyalty programs . Using these and by booking inexpensive tickets, some people have found it cheaper to live continuously on cruise ships instead of on land. Cruise ships and former liners sometimes find use in applications other than those for which they were built. Due to slower speed and reduced seaworthiness, as well as being largely introduced after several major wars, cruise ships have also been used as troop transport vessels. By contrast, ocean liners were often seen as
6380-652: The beginning and end of each cruise, for the Royal Princess . Modern cruise ships typically have aboard some or all of the following facilities: Some ships have bowling alleys, ice skating rinks, rock climbing walls, sky-diving simulators, miniature golf courses, video arcades, ziplines, surfing simulators, water slides, basketball courts, tennis courts, chain restaurants, ropes obstacle courses, and even roller coasters. Crew are usually hired on three to eleven month contracts which may then be renewed as mutually agreed, depending on service ratings from passengers as well as
6496-529: The castle, decided to demolish it in order to avoid its possible seizure. This destruction was completed in 1567-68. Two years later the Ottomans captured the city. The Ottoman Empire invaded Cyprus in 1570–1577 and occupied it. Limassol was conquered in July 1570 without any resistance. After the Ottoman acquisition of Cyprus in 1576, the remains or parts of the remains of the Limassol castle were incorporated in
6612-529: The city. Tourism in Limassol began to flourish after 1974, following the occupation of Famagusta and Kyrenia , the principal tourist resorts of Cyprus, during the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus . Limassol has many beaches, suitable for sunbathing and swimming. A bathing beach with all the necessary facilities, provided by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation , operates in the Dasoudi area. In 1974,
6728-428: The company's group insurance plan. The direct salary is low by North American standards, though restaurant staff have considerable earning potential from passenger tips. Crew members do not have any expenses while on board, because food and accommodation, medical care, and transportation for most employees, are included. Bard College at Simon's Rock professor Francisca Oyogoa states that "Crewing agencies often exploit
6844-706: The cruise lines from this common industry practice point of view; whereas Carnival Corporation & plc and Royal Caribbean Group , for example, can be considered holding corporations of cruise lines. This industry practice of using the smaller operating company, not the larger holding corporation, is also followed in the list of cruise lines and in member-based reviews of cruise lines. Some cruise lines have specialties; for example, Saga Cruises only allows passengers over 50 years old aboard their ships, and Star Clippers and formerly Windjammer Barefoot Cruises and Windstar Cruises only operate tall ships . Regent Seven Seas Cruises operates medium-sized vessels—smaller than
6960-473: The cruise ship business has been volatile. The ships are large capital investments with high operating costs. A persistent decrease in bookings can put a company in financial jeopardy. Cruise lines have sold, renovated, or renamed their ships to keep up with travel trends. Cruise lines operate their ships almost constantly. If the maintenance is unscheduled, it can result, potentially, in thousands of dissatisfied customers. A wave of failures and consolidations in
7076-472: The cruise ship, which sailed in just over three months to Taormina , Catania , Syracuse , Malta , Corfu , Patras , Delphi , Zante , Athens , Smyrna and Constantinople , providing passengers with excursions and guided tours. P&O first introduced passenger-cruising services in 1844, advertising sea tours to destinations such as Gibraltar , Malta and Athens, sailing from Southampton . The forerunner of modern cruise holidays , these voyages were
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#17328693046907192-575: The crusade for the liberation of the Holy Land . At the beginning Isaac agreed but later on refused. Richard took him captive; the entire island was therefore taken over by the Anglo-Normans , bringing the long Byzantine dominion of Cyprus to an end. Richard celebrated his marriage with Berengaria who had received the crown as queen of England in Cyprus. Richard destroyed Amathus and the inhabitants were transferred to Limassol. A year later, in 1191 Cyprus
7308-405: The cyclical nature of the cruise line operator. Most staff work 77-hour work weeks for 10 months continuously followed by two months of vacation. There are no paid vacations or pensions for service, non-management crew, depending on the level of the position and the type of the contract. Non-service and management crew members get paid vacation, medical, retirement options, and can participate in
7424-544: The decline and destruction of Amathus, around the 7th century AD. The area around Limassol shows evidence of human activity dating back to the Neolithic period (around 7000 BC). Sites like Chirokitia , although not directly in Limassol, indicate the presence of early farming communities. During the Bronze Age, the region saw the development of more complex societies, with evidence of trade and cultural exchanges with neighbouring regions. These early settlements and city-kingdoms laid
7540-465: The desperation of potential employees." Living arrangements vary by cruise line, but mostly by shipboard position. In general two employees share a cabin with a shower, commode and a desk with a television set, while senior officers are assigned single cabins. There is a set of facilities for the crew separate from that for passengers, such as mess rooms and bars, recreation rooms, prayer rooms/mosques, and fitness center, with some larger ships even having
7656-552: The education of Greeks during the years 1754–1821. During those years, many new schools were established all over the island, most notable in Limassol being the Greek School (modern-day Laniteio Lyceum). Greek history , Turkish and French were taught at schools. In 1878, the British had administrative control over Cyprus after the Cyprus convention . The first British governor of Limassol
7772-544: The extended summer season, accommodated within a wide variety of hotels and apartments available. The Limassol coastline, known as “The Limassol Riviera”, is undergoing a significant construction boom that began in late 2013 with new legislation encouraging development; becoming Europe's newest riviera. Since then, hundreds of new housing units and mushrooming businesses are introduced to the community annually. Currently , over 70 buildings taller than 50m are proposed or under construction, including 32 skyscrapers . Among these
7888-422: The first "mega-cruise ship". The main exception was Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 : although being put on more cruises, she maintained the regular transatlantic crossing tradition throughout the year, but with a stronger focus on leisure passengers, catering to a niche market of those who appreciated the several days at sea. International celebrities were hired to perform acts on board, along with cabarets , and with
8004-424: The first of their kind. P&O Cruises is the world's oldest cruise line . The company later introduced round trips to destinations such as Alexandria and Constantinople. It underwent a period of rapid expansion in the latter half of the 19th century, commissioning larger and more luxurious ships to serve the steadily expanding market. Notable ships of the era include SS Ravenna built in 1880, which became
8120-519: The first ship built with a total steel superstructure, and SS Valetta built in 1889. The cruise of Augusta Victoria in the Mediterranean and the Near East from 22 January to 22 March 1891, with 241 passengers including Albert Ballin and wife themselves, is often stated to have been the first ever cruise. Christian Wilhelm Allers published an illustrated account of it as Backschisch . The first vessel built exclusively for luxury cruising
8236-507: The foundation for Limassol’s development, contributing to its rich historical and cultural heritage. Ancient writers and geographers mention nothing about the foundation of the town. According to the Council of Chalcedon which took place in 451, the local bishop as well as the bishops of Amathus and Arsinoe were involved in the foundation of the city, which would be known by the names of Theodosiana and Neapolis . Bishop Leontios of Neapolis
8352-533: The island’s sources. All the inhabitants were enslaved by the Venetians, and were obliged to give a third of their income, whether this was part of their products of the land. Travelers who visited Cyprus in the 16th century commented on the poor condition of the local population in the towns of the island. In 1538 the Ottomans captured the city and the Limassol castle . The Venetian governor of Cyprus, after recapturing
8468-598: The largest mall in the district. Limassol has two ports, commonly known as the Old Port (Limassol Marina) and the New Port (Port of Limassol). The New Port handles the majority of commercial and passenger traffic and is one of the busiest ports in the Mediterranean transit trade and is the largest port in the Republic of Cyprus. With a depth of 11 metres (36 feet) and breakwaters extending 1,300 metres (4,300 feet), can receive about ten ships, depending on their size. The Old Port, with
8584-589: The late-19th century, Albert Ballin, director of the Hamburg-America Line, was the first to send his transatlantic ships out on long southern cruises during the worst of the North Atlantic winter seasons. Other companies followed suit. Some of them built specialized ships designed for easy transformation between summer crossings and winter cruising. In 1897 three luxury liners, all European-owned, offered transportation between Europe and North America. In 1906
8700-744: The main dining room (or main restaurant) and buffet, access to shows, and use of pool and gym facilities, while there is a daily gratuity charge to cover housekeeping and waiter service. However, there are extra charges for alcohol and soft drinks, official cruise photos, Internet and wi-fi access, and specialty restaurants. Cruise lines earn significantly from selling onshore excursions offered by local contractors; keeping 50% or more of what passengers spend for these tours. In addition, cruise ships earn significant commissions on sales from onshore stores that are promoted on board as "preferred" (as much as 40% of gross sales). Facilitating this practice are modern cruise terminals with establishments of duty-free shops inside
8816-501: The mass cruising market. They also were the first series of cruise ships to include a multi-story lobby with a glass elevator and had a single deck devoted entirely to cabins with private balconies, instead of oceanview cabins. Other cruise lines soon launched ships with similar attributes, such as the Fantasy class , leading up to the Panamax -type Vista class , designed such that two-thirds of
8932-473: The middle". This likely refers to the city’s location between the ancient towns of Amathus and Kourion. Over time, the name evolved into “Lemesos", which is known in English as “Limassol". Limassol is situated between the ancient city-kingdoms of Amathus , founded around 1100 BC by Greek settlers, and Kourion , founded around the same time. Settlements in the modern area of Limassol were most likely founded after
9048-431: The municipalities of Limassol are divided into quarters, with the exception of Ypsonas . Limassol has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate ( Köppen climate classification : Csa ), closely bordering a hot semi-arid climate ( Köppen climate classification : BSh ), with hot and dry summers and mild and wet winters, which are separated by short springs and autumns which are generally warm and sunny. From December to March,
9164-429: The new Ottoman fort, completed in 1590, which was considerably strengthened. The underground chamber and the first floor were transformed into prison cells and remained in use until 1950. Some neighbourhoods, primarily to the east of the city, were predominantly Greek, while those to the west were mainly Turkish, with a mixed area around the castle. Christians lived in small, low houses that required one to bend to enter,
9280-566: The new commerce centre of Cyprus, the role which had been filled by Famagusta. Today, Limassol is the second largest city in Cyprus and hosts the island’s main port. It is renowned for its extravagant annual events, attracting numerous visitors from both the island and around the globe. Today, the Limassol urban area includes the Limassol Municipality and the municipalities of Kato Polemidia , Mesa Geitonia , Agios Athanasios , Germasogeia , and Ypsonas . For administrative purposes,
9396-519: The night. Rain tends to be heavy this time of the year and thunderstorms occur often though they usually do not last for a long time. Snow in Limassol is a very rare occurrence and usually falls mixed with rain every 7 to 13 years. Snow mixed with rain fell in February 2004, in January 2008 and in February 2012. In January 2022 Limassol registered a record low temperature of −0.8 °C (31 °F). In spring
9512-502: The north in 1974-1975. Consequently, many Greek Cypriots from the north, who became refugees following the Turkish invasion , settled in the city. In the 1990s, several Cypriot Romani people (considered Turkish Cypriots according to the constitution ) returned from the north to the Turkish quarter of Limassol. Armenians remained in Limassol, residing around the Sourp Kevork Armenian Apostolic Church and maintain
9628-583: The number had increased to seven. The British Inman Line owned City of Paris , the Cunard Line had Campania and Lucania . The White Star Line owned Majestic and Teutonic . La Lorraine and La Savoie sailed for the French Compagnie Générale Transatlantique . Modern cruise ships tend to have less hull strength, speed, and agility compared to ocean liners. With the advent of large passenger jet aircraft in
9744-401: The oceanview staterooms have balconies. As the veranda suites were particularly lucrative for cruise lines, something which was lacking in older ocean liners, recent cruise ships have been designed to maximize such amenities and have been described as "balcony-laden floating condominiums". Until 1975–1980, cruises offered shuffleboard , deck chairs, "drinks with umbrellas and little else for
9860-539: The port of departure is usually the passengers' responsibility, although purchasing a transfer pass from the cruise line for the trip between the airport and cruise terminal will guarantee that the ship will not leave until the passenger is aboard. Similarly, if the passenger books a shore excursion with the cruise line and the tour runs late, the ship is obliged to remain until the passenger returns. Luxury cruise lines such as Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Crystal Cruises market their fares as "all-inclusive". For example,
9976-517: The pride of their country and used to rival liners of other nations, and have been requisitioned during both World Wars and the Falklands War to transport soldiers and serve as hospital ships . During the 1992 Summer Olympics , eleven cruise ships docked at the Port of Barcelona for an average of 18 days, served as floating hotels to help accommodate the large influx of visitors to the Games. They were available to sponsors and hosted 11,000 guests
10092-419: The quality of life and the city’s image as a cosmopolitan destination. Infrastructure improvements, partly funded by European programs, have addressed traffic issues with new highway flyovers and roundabouts. Limassol has become a major centre for tourism , trade , and services. The city offers numerous museums and archaeological sites for visitors. It attracts a diverse range of tourists, especially during
10208-568: The retirement of her running mate Queen Elizabeth 2 in November 2008, Queen Mary 2 is the only liner operating on scheduled transatlantic service, though she also sees significant service on cruise routes. Queen Mary 2 was for a time the largest passenger ship before being surpassed by Royal Caribbean International 's Freedom -class vessels in 2006. The Freedom -class ships were in turn overtaken by RCI's own Oasis -class vessels which entered service in 2009 and 2010. A distinctive feature of
10324-580: The same facilities. (Passengers in cabins in certain grades on the Queen Elizabeth 2 had access only to certain dining rooms). Ocean liner services almost ceased in the 1970s and 1980s. The Rotterdam was put on permanent cruise service in 1968, while the France (at the time the largest passenger vessel in the world) was mothballed in 1974, sold to Norwegian Cruise Line in 1979, and after major renovations relaunched as SS Norway in 1980, thus becoming
10440-457: The ship to Louis Aura in 2012. In 2017, Etstur, a Turkish travel agency, chartered the ship and renamed it to Aegean Queen . She was sold to for scrap the following year, and was broken up in Alang , India. After the success of Sunward , Knut Kloster , founder and owner of Norwegian Caribbean Line , asked naval architect Tage Wandborg to design an optimum cruise ship for the market. Built at
10556-484: The ship to Spanish Cruise Line. Following the collapse of Festival Cruises, Bolero was bought by Cruises Elysia in 2004 who sold her on to Abou Merhi Cruises as Orient Queen . She was refitted the following year at a cost of $ 9.5 million, with the addition of a helicopter pad that was added and managed by Österreichischer Lloyd Ship Management. Orient Queen operated from Beirut for six months with seven-day cruises to Cyprus, Egypt, Greece, and Turkey. In November 2005,
10672-518: The ship was re-positioned in Dubai to begin what was an unsuccessful Persian Gulf cruise program, providing the first luxury cruise line service between Dubai and Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The ship was then positioned in Beirut and scheduled to begin a 2006 cruise season in the Mediterranean Sea . In July 2006, Orient Queen was used to help evacuate United States citizens from Lebanon because of
10788-560: The ship's events (such as shows and performances) for the late diners, but this problem is usually fixed by having a shorter version of the event take place before late dinner. Cunard Line ships maintain the class tradition of ocean liners and have separate dining rooms for different types of suites, while Celebrity Cruises and Princess Cruises have a standard dining room and "upgrade" specialty restaurants that require pre-booking and cover charges. Many cruises schedule one or more "formal dining" nights. Guests dress "formally", however, that
10904-487: The ships' restaurants organize two dinner services per day, early dining and late dining, and passengers are allocated a set dining time for the entire cruise; a recent trend is to allow diners to dine whenever they want. Besides the dining room, modern cruise ships often contain one or more casual buffet-style eateries. Most cruise ships sail the Caribbean or the Mediterranean . Others operate elsewhere in places like Alaska ,
11020-401: The ships' restaurants organize two dinner services per day, early dining and late dining, and passengers are allocated a set dining time for the entire cruise; a recent trend is to allow diners to dine whenever they want. Having two dinner times allows the ship to have enough time and space to accommodate all of its guests. Having two different dinner services can cause some conflicts with some of
11136-472: The shutdown of UK airspace due to the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano, the newly completed Celebrity Eclipse was used to rescue 2,000 British tourists stranded in Spain as an act of goodwill by the owners. The ship departed from Southampton for Bilbao on 21 April, and returned on 23 April. A cruise ship was kept on standby in case inhabitants of Kangaroo Island required evacuation in 2020 after
11252-409: The time on the island. Many private schools also exist, offering education in multiple languages including Greek and English. Such institutions include Saint Mary's School, a catholic private school open to all religions and races, The Grammar School Limassol, American Academy, The Heritage Private School and Foley's Grammar School. In addition to the various Greek and English speaking schools,
11368-419: The total number of cabins on all of the world's cruise ships amount to less than 2% of the world's hotel rooms. Cruise ships are organized much like floating hotels, with a complete hospitality staff in addition to the usual ship's crew. It is not uncommon for the most luxurious ships to have more crew and staff than passengers. Dining on almost all cruise ships is included in the cruise price. Traditionally,
11484-582: The total passenger count (2,744 to 7,600), and more than tripled in volume (73,000 to 248,000 GT). Also, the "megaships" went from a single deck with verandas to all decks with verandas. As of November 2022 there were 302 cruise ships operating worldwide, with a combined capacity of 664,602 passengers. Cruising has become a major part of the tourism industry, with an estimated market of $ 29.4 billion per year, and over 19 million passengers carried worldwide annually as of 2011 . The industry's rapid growth saw nine or more newly built ships catering to
11600-451: The transportation business, and partly in the leisure entertainment business, a duality that carries down into the ships themselves, which have both a crew headed by the ship's captain, and a hospitality staff headed by the equivalent of a hotel manager . Among cruise lines, some are direct descendants of the traditional passenger shipping lines (such as Cunard), while others were founded from the 1960s specifically for cruising. Historically,
11716-459: The weather is mild to warm and pleasant. It is sunny almost every day and the temperatures are around 19–20 °C (66–68 °F) in the day and 9 °C (48 °F) in the night. Rain showers and thunderstorms are common especially in late March and April. Sometimes during the spring dust comes from the Sahara desert which degrades air quality in the city. Summer for Limassol is the longest season of
11832-426: The weather is unsettled and can be rainy and windy. Sunshine averages around 6 hours a day. During this season there are a few days when the daytime highs might not exceed 12 °C (54 °F) and the night time lows might be as low as 2 °C (36 °F) but usually the temperature ranges from 16 °C (61 °F) to 20 °C (68 °F) in the day and from 7 °C (45 °F) to 12 °C (54 °F) in
11948-467: The west of the city is Akrotiri , one of the two British Overseas Territories of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the island. In 2014, Limassol was ranked by TripAdvisor as the 3rd up-and-coming destination in the world, in its Top 10 Traveler's Choice Destinations on the Rise list. In Mercer's Quality of Living Ranking , the city was ranked 90th in 2023, and 89th in 2017. In the 2022 GaWC ranking, Limassol
12064-560: The year, and lasts about six months; it begins in May and ends in October. At this time of the year, the weather is sunny every day and rain is rare. The temperatures range between 19 °C (66 °F) to 30 °C (86 °F) in June and September and 22 °C (72 °F) to 40 °C (104 °F) in July and August. In June, sea mist can sometimes occur, usually resolving early in the morning. Autumn
12180-654: Was Prinzessin Victoria Luise of the German Empire, designed by Albert Ballin, general manager of the Hamburg-America Line . The ship was completed in 1900. The practice of luxury cruising made steady inroads into the more established market for transatlantic crossings . In the competition for passengers, ocean liners – Titanic being the most famous example – added luxuries such as fine dining , luxury services , and staterooms with finer appointments. In
12296-413: Was 77.7% Cypriot, 8.6% EU citizen , 13.1% Foreign citizen, with 0.6% not stating their nationality. Between 2011 and 2021, the district gained 26,827 residents. Since the 1960s, internal migration and the influx of displaced persons after 1974 have significantly increased the population of Limassol and its suburbs. Limassol is home to a large community of Pontic Greeks , who settled in Cyprus after
12412-417: Was Colonel Warren. He showed a particular interest in Limassol and even from the first days the condition of the town showed an improvement. The roads were cleaned, the animals were removed from the centre, roads were fixed, trees were planted and docks were constructed for the loading and unloading of those ships that were anchored off-shore. Lanterns for the lighting of the central areas were also installed in
12528-405: Was a wet one with precipitation being as high as 515 mm (20.3 in) in some areas whilst the rainy season of 2007–2008 was dry with only 300 mm (11.8 in) of rain. Hail is rare and usually falls between October and April. Limassol is the 2nd most populous district in the Cyprus, with 198,558 residents as of the 2021 Cyprus census. The district population’s citizenships in 2021
12644-442: Was an important church writer in the 7th century. The records of the 7th Synod (757) refer to it as the bishop's see. The town was known as Lemesos by the 10th century. The history of Limassol is largely known by the events associated with the Third Crusade . The king of England, Richard the Lionheart , was travelling to the Holy Land in 1190. His fiancée, Berengaria , and his sister, Joan , were also travelling there, but on
12760-551: Was classified as a "High Sufficiency" city, falling down one category from "Gamma − " ( lit. ' global city ' ), in 2020. In 2023, the largest integrated casino resort in Europe opened its doors in Limassol along the south coast. It spans 14 stories, with 500 rooms and houses as well as the island's largest pool area. The name “Limassol” originates from the ancient Greek word “Nemesos” ( Greek : Νέμεσσος , romanized : Nemessos ), which means “one found in
12876-451: Was found: Guy of Lusignan , a Roman Catholic from Poitou . Cyprus was therefore handed over to the French dynasty of the house of Lusignan , thus establishing the medieval Kingdom of Cyprus . For a period of about three centuries (1192–1489), Limassol enjoyed remarkable prosperity. Cyprus was characterised by its great number of Latin bishops. This lasted until the occupation of Cyprus by
12992-742: Was originally located within the Limassol Castle before being relocated to a site near the Public Gardens. The Limassol Public Gardens , located along the coastal road, boasts a diverse array of vegetation, including eucalyptus trees, pine trees , and cypresses. Within the garden, visitors can explore the Limassol Zoo that houses deer , moufflons , ostriches , pheasants , tigers , lions , monkeys , vultures , pelicans , flamingos and various other animals and birds. The Patticheio Municipal Museum and an open theatre, which has been renovated to host international performances, can also be found within
13108-489: Was particularly notable for Princess Cruises , a line that partnered with the series and received a great deal of attention as a result. Contemporary cruise ships built in the late 1980s and later, such as the Sovereign class which broke the size record held for decades by Norway , showed characteristics of size once reserved for ocean liners. The Sovereign -class ships were the first "megaships" to be built specifically for
13224-490: Was shortly chartered to Spanish Cruise Line, however, it was sold to Abou Merhi Cruises after Festival Cruises was forced to declare bankruptcy in early 2004. In 2006, Louis Cruise Lines bought Orient Queen and kept the name intact. Orient Queen was briefly used the United States Government in 2006 to evacuate U.S. citizens out of Lebanon due to conflict between Lebanon and Israel. Louis Cruise Lines renamed
13340-617: Was sold for the sum of 100,000 bezants to the Templars , rich monks and soldiers whose aim was the protection of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem . The knights enforced high taxes, in order to get back the money that had been given for the purchase of Cyprus. This led to the revolt of the Cypriots, who wished to get rid of the bond of the promise. Richard accepted their request and a new purchaser
13456-408: Was the first Norwegian-flagged ship to meet American ‘Method 1’ fire-protection standards that specified the use of non-combustible materials throughout passenger and crew accommodations. In 1995, Greek line Festival Cruises announced that Starward would be delivered to them from Norwegian Cruise Line in October of the same year, renaming the vessel to Bolero . In 2001, Festival Cruises chartered
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