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

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.

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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.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Property Deals Reach €286 Million Despite Second-Quarter Uncertainty

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 28, 2026

Cyprus’ high-end property market remained active in the first half of 2026, although geopolitical uncertainty may have weighed on investment activity during the second quarter.

€286.4 Million Across The 50 Largest Deals

Property transactions worth a combined €286.4 million ranked among Cyprus’ 50 highest-value deals completed between January and June, according to real estate analytics firm Ask Wire.

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Examining the country’s biggest sales across all districts, the report found that the 10 largest transactions alone accounted for €161.7 million, highlighting the concentration of activity at the upper end of the market.

Limassol Extends Its Lead

A €55 million sale involving a building and adjoining fields in Moni was the largest property transaction recorded during the period.

Six of the country’s 10 biggest deals took place in Limassol, with a combined value of €117.2 million. Paphos followed with three transactions worth €35.5 million, while Larnaca recorded one €9 million sale.

Across the broader ranking, Limassol’s 10 largest transactions reached €148.2 million, representing 51.7% of the total value of the top 50 deals. Paphos followed with €68.8 million (24%), while Nicosia recorded €26.7 million. Famagusta narrowly surpassed Larnaca, reaching €21.4 million compared with €21.2 million.

Land Continues To Drive High-Value Deals

According to Ask Wire CEO Pavlos Loizou, land acquisitions continue to dominate Cyprus’ largest property transactions.

“The land market dominates the list of the 10 highest-value property transactions, with seven sales involving fields and plots.”

Many of those sites are expected to be developed into luxury residential and hospitality projects, he added.

Office Demand Remains Strong

Growing demand for office space also reflects the expansion of international companies establishing operations in Cyprus, Loizou said.

“We continue to observe growing demand for office properties, reflecting the expansion of the new ecosystem of international companies that has been establishing itself in Cyprus in recent years.”

Eight of the 10 largest transactions were completed during the first quarter of 2026, with activity slowing in the following three months.

Loizou said the slowdown may reflect investor caution linked to the conflict in the Middle East, which appears to have influenced investment decisions during the second quarter.

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