Cruises from Limassol

A cruise from Limassol is one of the rare ways to begin a major sea voyage right here in Cyprus, without flying to Athens, Rome or Barcelona. In autumn 2026, you can still set sail from Limassol New Port on either a week-long cruise around Greece and Turkey that returns to Cyprus, or a longer voyage via Egypt, Istanbul, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic. Below are the nearest departures and the main cruise options available from Limassol.

• Upcoming cruises from Limassol
• Marella Discovery: week-long cruises returning to Cyprus
• Marella Discovery routes
• From Limassol to Spain
• Balmoral: cruises from Limassol in November
• When cruises from Limassol operate
• Limassol as a port of call on international cruises
• Where boarding takes place
• Can you leave your car at the terminal?
• Passports and visas
• Frequently asked questions

Upcoming cruises from Limassol

As of late September 2026, the nearest options begin in the final days of the month. The main regular programme is operated by Marella Cruises: seven-day adults-only cruises depart from Limassol and return here after travelling around Greece and Turkey.

7 October — Aegean Gems

Route: Limassol → Souda / Chania, Crete → Piraeus / Athens → Kusadasi / Ephesus → Mykonos → Rhodes → Limassol.

Duration — 7 nights. Adults-only, All Inclusive. The indicative price at the time of checking was from GBP 1,298 per person.

14 October — Aegean Delights

Route: Limassol → Rhodes → Kusadasi / Ephesus → Patmos → Marmaris → Alanya → Limassol.

Duration — 7 nights. Adults-only, All Inclusive. At the time of checking, fares started at around GBP 1,094 per person.

21 October — Aegean Gems

Route: Limassol → Piraeus / Athens → Izmir → Mykonos → Souda / Chania, Crete → Rhodes → Limassol.

Duration — 7 nights. Adults-only, All Inclusive. The indicative price was from GBP 1,036 per person.

Cruise prices are dynamic and depend on the booking date, cabin category and availability, so the amounts shown should be treated as a guide only.

Marella Discovery: week-long cruises returning to Cyprus

Marella Discovery is the most convenient option for people living in Cyprus who want to try a classic cruise without flying to the port of embarkation. The ship uses Limassol as its home port: passengers check in in Cyprus, set off on their voyage and return to the same port a week later.

During the summer-autumn 2026 season, these sailings operate as adults-only cruises. Marella cruises are All Inclusive: the basic package includes accommodation, meals in the main restaurants, a selection of drinks, onboard entertainment, gratuities and service charges.

Marella Discovery itself has 918 cabins, nine restaurants, seven bars, two swimming pools, an outdoor cinema, a theatre, mini golf and a climbing wall.

The Cruise Only option is especially convenient for Cyprus residents: you can make your own way to Limassol port and book the cruise without flights or transfers.

View the latest Marella Discovery itineraries

Main Marella Discovery routes from Limassol

Marella alternates between several itineraries during the season. When choosing, it is therefore worth looking not only at the date and price, but also at the specific ports included.

Grecian Discovery

Limassol → Athens → Santorini → Bodrum → Crete → Rhodes → Limassol.

One of the most classic options for a first cruise from Cyprus: ancient Athens, Santorini, the Turkish coast and two major Greek islands in one week.

Aegean Gems

Limassol → Crete → Athens → Turkey → Mykonos → Rhodes → Limassol.

This itinerary is especially appealing to those who want to combine cities and islands: Athens and the ancient monuments of Ephesus can be paired with Mykonos, Rhodes and Crete.

Aegean Delights

Limassol → Rhodes → Kusadasi / Ephesus → Patmos → Marmaris → Alanya → Limassol.

This itinerary includes noticeably more of Turkey: it follows the country's southern and western coasts and is complemented by the Greek islands of Rhodes and Patmos.

From Limassol to Spain

After the regular eastern Mediterranean programme ends, Marella Discovery leaves Cyprus and heads west.

On 4 November 2026, an eight-day Autumn Sunrise cruise is scheduled:

Limassol → Souda / Chania, Crete → Valletta, Malta → Palma de Mallorca → Malaga.

This is a one-way cruise: the ship does not return to Limassol. This option is interesting for those who want to combine a cruise with further travel around Spain, but the return flight to Cyprus will need to be arranged separately.

At the time of checking, prices started at around GBP 1,152 per person.

Balmoral: cruises from Limassol in November

After Marella, another interesting option becomes available in Limassol — Balmoral from Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. The format is quite different: instead of a week-long round-trip, you can choose a longer voyage and finish in another port.

Cyprus, Turkey & Egypt Escape — 10 nights

Departure from Limassol — 9 November 2026.

Limassol → Alexandria → Marmaris → Istanbul → Piraeus / Athens.

A lengthy stop in Istanbul is scheduled, giving you more time to spend in the city. The itinerary ends in Piraeus.

At the time of checking, prices started at around GBP 1,599 per person.

Cyprus, Turkey & Egypt Escape — official website

Wonders of the Mediterranean — 21 nights

You can use the same departure date from Limassol to begin a much longer voyage.

Limassol → Alexandria → Marmaris → Istanbul → Athens → Valletta → Trapani → Cartagena → Gibraltar → Agadir → Tenerife.

This is no longer an ordinary week-long holiday, but a major voyage across the eastern and western Mediterranean to the Canary Islands.

At the time of checking, prices started at around GBP 2,899 per person.

Mediterranean Icons — 31 nights

The longest option lets you stay aboard Balmoral even longer and travel through almost the entire Mediterranean and part of the Atlantic.

Limassol → Alexandria → Marmaris → Istanbul → Athens → Valletta → Trapani → Cartagena → Gibraltar → Agadir → Tenerife → Gran Canaria → Lanzarote → Madeira → Lisbon → Porto → Southampton.

At the time of checking, prices for this 31-day voyage started at around GBP 4,299 per person.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines — official website

When cruises from Limassol operate

There is no permanent year-round schedule of cruises embarking in Limassol. Programmes depend on the season and on the decisions of individual cruise lines.

In 2026, the main season for Marella Discovery round-trip cruises runs from spring until the end of October. In early November, the ship heads west from Limassol, bringing the Cyprus part of its season to a close.

Repositioning cruises operated by other companies also appear in autumn. These sailings are especially interesting because of their varied itineraries: Limassol becomes the starting point for a voyage that may end in Greece, Spain, the Canary Islands or the United Kingdom.

So when planning a cruise for the next season, look not just for ships calling at Cyprus, but for itineraries that list Limassol as the departure port.

Limassol as a port of call on international cruises

Far more large cruise ships call at Limassol than there are cruises available departing from here. The reason is simple: many ships use Cyprus only as one of the stops on their itinerary.

Ships operated by Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Azamara, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Celestyal, Fred. Olsen and other cruise lines call at Limassol.

For example, a long voyage may begin in Southampton (United Kingdom) or another European port, after which the ship arrives in Limassol for a day or stays overnight before continuing its itinerary.

There is an important distinction for Cyprus residents: a ship calling at Limassol does not mean you can buy a ticket to board it in Cyprus. The option to embark must be included in the specific itinerary.

MSC Cruises
Royal Caribbean
Azamara
Oceania Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Celestyal

Where cruise embarkation takes place

Embarkation takes place at the New Cruise Terminal in Limassol New Port. This is where the passenger terminals, check-in areas, passport and customs control, and berths for large cruise ships are located.

Limassol Cruise Terminal — official website

Can you drive to the port in your own car?

Yes. For Cyprus residents, this is one of the main advantages of a cruise from Limassol.

There is a car park for around 330 vehicles next to the New Cruise Terminal. This allows you to drive to the port, check in and leave your car for the duration of your trip.

It is best to check directly before departure whether advance parking reservations are available and what the current parking terms are.

If you are planning an itinerary to see the main attractions of the Republic of Cyprus and want to get around without relying on taxis, it is convenient to compare car rental options in advance through Localrent. It is also worth planning the basic practicalities in advance. You can arrange travel medical insurance before departure, for example through Tripinsurance, and set up a travel eSIM in advance for navigation and staying connected on the road, for example through Drimsim.

Passports and visas

A valid passport is required for an international cruise. Passengers must also have the right to enter all the countries included in the itinerary.

This is especially important for Cyprus residents who are not EU citizens. A Cyprus residence permit does not, by itself, replace visas for other countries.

Before booking, check the entry requirements for Greece, Turkey, Egypt, the United Kingdom and any other countries on the itinerary based on your citizenship. Requirements may differ even when a passenger plans to spend only a few hours in port.

It is also worth checking the cruise line's requirements for passport validity and documents for minors.

How to choose a cruise from Limassol

For your first trip, the easiest option is a week-long round-trip: board in Limassol, visit several countries and return to Cyprus seven days later. There is no need to book flights, a hotel before embarkation or arrange the return journey.

A one-way cruise is more appealing to those who want to make the sea voyage part of a longer holiday. For example, you could disembark in Malaga and continue travelling around Spain, or spend several weeks aboard Balmoral and finish your trip in the Canary Islands or the United Kingdom.

When comparing options, look not only at the cabin price, but also at meals, drinks, gratuities, service charges and the number of days at sea. Marella includes All Inclusive in its standard cruise package, while the fare structure may differ with other cruise lines.

Frequently asked questions

Can you set off on a cruise directly from Cyprus?

Yes. In 2026, Limassol is used as an embarkation port by Marella Cruises and Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. However, most ships that simply call at Limassol do not necessarily take on new passengers there.

Are there cruises that return to Limassol?

Yes. Marella Discovery operates week-long round-trip itineraries: passengers board and finish their voyage in Limassol.

Are there cruises that do not return to Cyprus?

Yes. One-way and repositioning cruises are available in autumn. They may start in Limassol and end in Malaga, Piraeus, the Canary Islands or Southampton.

Can you book the cruise only, without a flight?

Yes. For example, Marella offers the Cruise Only option, which is especially convenient for Cyprus residents: passengers make their own way to the New Port of Limassol cruise terminal and begin their voyage without a flight or an additional overnight stay in another city. When booking, make sure you select the option without flights included and check that Limassol is listed as the departure port.

Is Marella the only cruise line operating cruises from Limassol?

No. Marella Discovery operates a regular seasonal programme with embarkation and return in Limassol, but other cruise lines also appear in the schedule. For example, Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers specific Balmoral itineraries with embarkation in Limassol. Many ships operated by MSC Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Azamara, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and other companies, however, call at Limassol only as an intermediate port — you cannot begin your voyage in Cyprus on these sailings.

Where exactly do the cruise ships depart from?

Embarkation takes place at the Limassol Cruise Terminal in Limassol New Port. Do not confuse it with Limassol Marina or the Old Port: large cruise ships are handled at the New Port.

Can you drive to the cruise terminal in your own car?

Yes. There is parking for around 330 vehicles next to the New Cruise Terminal. If you plan to leave your car for the entire cruise, it is best to check the current parking terms and price directly before departure.

Are there cruises that return to Limassol?

Yes. In the 2026 season, Marella Discovery operates week-long round-trip cruises: passengers board in Limassol, the ship visits several Eastern Mediterranean ports and then returns to Cyprus. This is the simplest option for island residents, as there is no need to buy a return flight after the trip.

Are there one-way cruises from Limassol?

Yes. Repositioning cruises appear at the end of the season, when a ship changes its sailing region. Such an itinerary may begin in Limassol and end, for example, in Greece, Spain, the Canary Islands or the United Kingdom. In this case, you will need to arrange your return journey to Cyprus separately.

What is usually included in the cruise price?

It depends on the cruise line and fare. The price usually includes a cabin, main meals and the onboard entertainment programme. A significant number of Marella cruises operate on an All Inclusive basis. Shore excursions, some restaurants and drinks, spa treatments, Wi-Fi and other additional services may be charged separately, depending on the fare selected.

Do you need a visa for a cruise from Limassol?

Requirements are determined by the passenger's citizenship and all the countries on the itinerary. A Cyprus residence permit does not, by itself, replace a visa for a country that requires one for a particular passenger. You should check the rules for every port on the itinerary before booking.

Can you go on a cruise with children?

It depends on the specific ship and season. For example, Marella Discovery's regular programme from Limassol operates as adults-only from May 2026. For a family trip, you will need to choose another ship or itinerary that allows children.

When is the best time to book a cruise from Limassol?

If specific dates, an itinerary or a balcony cabin are important to you, it is best to book in advance. If your dates are flexible, it is also worth keeping an eye out for offers closer to departure, although the availability of suitable cabins and fares is not guaranteed.