The cruise ships “Celestyal Crystal” and “Europa 2” approached the port of Thessaloniki this morning, which “captured” Thessaloniki again after seven years, with the city authorities welcoming tourists in a special way.

In particular, it was shortly after 8 in the morning when the first “Europa 2” passengers started disembarking from the ship, in the renovated warehouse 8 of the port of Thessaloniki, which now functions as a passenger station.

There, dancers from the Zeibekikou Academy of Thessaloniki were waiting for them, who welcomed them with sirtaki, zeibekiko, kalamatiano and hasapiko, to the sounds of Greek songs, some of which had a clear reference to Thessaloniki.

The mayor of the city, Konstantinos Zervas, was also present, who welcomed his passengers, offering them a traditional Thessaloniki bun. Along with Mr. Zervas, there was also the deputy regional governor of Thessaloniki and president of the Thessaloniki Tourism Organization, Voula Patoulidou.

“Europa 2” left Istanbul on May 31 with 500 passengers, 450 of whom are German and 50 Austrian and Swiss, and 350 crew members from Germany. The ship is expected to dock at the port of Piraeus on June 10, making stops in: Kavala, Thessaloniki, Skiathos, Volos, Mykonos, Paros, Nafplio and Hydra.

It is the first time that the port of Thessaloniki welcomes two cruise ships at the same time, as from today it functions as a passenger station and warehouse 8, where “Europa 2” docked.