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Marella Discovery II Launches From Limassol As Home Port For 2026 Season

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Inaugural Voyage Sets A New Benchmark

Yesterday marked a pivotal moment at the Port of Limassol as the Marella Discovery II, operated by Marella Cruises, embarked on its first cruise. The event was attended by Simon Pitout, CEO of DP World Limassol, who emphasised the port’s growing significance as a strategic hub in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

Fly & Cruise: Elevating Travel Experiences

The launch also underscores the continued success of the Fly & Cruise service offered by TUI Group in Cyprus for the second consecutive year. This innovative travel solution packages flight bookings with a cruise vacation, with Limassol serving as the home port throughout the 2026 tourist season. Passengers fly into Larnaca or Paphos and seamlessly transfer to the Limassol cruise terminal, further enhancing the island’s appeal as a prime travel destination.

Strategic Insights And Industry Impact

Simon Pitout, CEO of DP World Limassol, said the selection of Limassol as a home port reflects operational capacity and connectivity with Cyprus’ aviation and tourism infrastructure. He added that cruise activity in the region continues to expand. Industry activity indicates sustained demand for cruise services in the Eastern Mediterranean. Port infrastructure and flight connections remain key factors in supporting growth.

Robust Itinerary And Future Prospects

DP World Limassol is scheduled to host Marella Discovery II 26 times between April and October. The ship’s itinerary includes stops in Kusadasi, Mykonos, Piraeus, Souda in Crete and Rhodes. Operations will continue from Limassol as a central hub for regional routes during the season. Cruise schedules and passenger volumes will determine further expansion.

EU Fertiliser Costs Return To Growth In Late 2025

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

Rising Costs In Agricultural Inputs

Recent Eurostat figures reveal that the European Union experienced an 8% year-on-year increase in the average price of fertilisers and soil improvers during the fourth quarter of 2025. This marks a definitive return to an upward cost trajectory following a temporary period of relief for continental farmers.

Market Dynamics In Chemical Nutrition

Prices for fertilisers and related agricultural inputs have remained volatile in recent years, driven largely by supply chain disruptions and higher natural gas prices. The sector experienced sharp price increases in 2021 and 2022 before recording a gradual decline throughout 2023 and 2024. During 2025, however, prices increased steadily across all four quarters, signaling renewed cost pressure for farmers across the EU.

Geographic Disparities In Price Fluctuations

Price increases were recorded in 24 of the EU’s 27 member states during the fourth quarter of 2025. Romania reported the sharpest increase, with fertiliser and soil improver prices rising 16.8% year-on-year. Ireland and the Netherlands also recorded significant increases of 15.3% and 12.1% respectively. By contrast, Bulgaria recorded the largest decline, with prices falling 6.1%. Smaller decreases were reported in Croatia and Lithuania, where prices declined 0.2% in both countries


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