Union Profile

Our Union, with its longstanding background consists of the National Body representing the cruise ship enterprise throughout its entire spectrum
Our members come from all fields pertaining to this subject (Annex I).

In order to confront and solve issues relating to our sector, coordinated efforts are taking place, on a daily basis, addressing the competent parties involved in the Administrations as well as the competent Local Port Authorities, (Annex II), in order to make the necessary amendments and adjustments covering the whole sector of the cruise ship enterprise.
The issues concerning the cruise ship industry, that our Union is working on, are briefly described in Annex III.
With regular visits of panels from our Union to the ports, all issues related to the service of the cruise ships and of the millions of passengers they are carrying, are examined thoroughly with the local authorities.
Through our Union’s initiative, the National Cruise Ship Coordinating Committee, was formed and consists of representatives from 8 Ministries, in order to be able to achieve a more flexible examination of all procedures involving the sector’s issues and are brought for discussion to the participants of the Committee, following the composition of a relevant document by our Union, that is whereupon submitted to the Secretariat of the Committee.
Within the broad variety of issues that need to be addressed, it is necessary to carry the knowledge of the wider spectrum of the subject. With this in mind, the Central Management and all District Department staff members are experienced in general maritime matters, and act methodically in order to examine any possible issues to the smallest degree.
The specialties of certain ports, such as those of Santorini, Mykonos, Patmos and others, are analysed with greater frequency by a panel of experts that are required for their assessment.
Many amendments have been made to the regulations in order to improve this branch of the enterprise, and many more are currently under development.
The representatives – Central Marine and Tourism Agents of cruise ship companies, willingly contribute to the work of the Union, their members offer their experience and their ability to receive the cruise ships and help confront relative issues.
The Board of Directors of our Association consists of 12 members.
The General Assembly of our Association takes place every January and the Board of Directors convenes frequently to discuss any matters related to the companies and the ships.
Our task is to improve services in our trading area including passenger and company satisfaction
We strive to be competitive in both our services and costs, and aim to promote new destinations and theme cruising in our area.

Throughout the pandemic period, we have been working intensely to secure all necessary actions that facilitate the operation of the sector when the ships schedules are again functional. We are dedicated to achieving success with the following:

Awareness of the ports regarding the inspection of the disembarking passengers and crews.
Provision of port facilities and services to the ships whose schedules have been annulled or amended.
Facilitating the ability of ships to call in ports for necessary provisions such as fuel, food, etc. as well as the ability to undertake necessary work for maintenance and repair in relevant shipbuilding bases. Moreover facilitating the assistance of the flag State inspectors and Classification Societies with providing the execution of sea trials.

The requirements of the Community Legislation regarding the establishment of an entry / exit system (EES) for the control / inspection of passengers originating from Non Schengen countries, is a further procedure that our Association is monitoring. We are cooperating with the relevant Port Service Authorities, in order to overcome any potential problems.
As mentioned above, the multidimensional profile of this sector of maritime tourism, demands a wider knowledge of all aspects so said sector, in order for it to operate successfully. Our Administration and the composition of our Association as a whole, consists of professionals with acquired knowledge and many years of experience, for some over 40 years, in a wide scope of areas such as administration, operation, navigation with experienced commodores, savants in shipping and maritime policy, the planning of ports and port facilities, many are former political representatives.
Taking into account the structure of the central Administration, the need arised to undertake action and interventions with several Ministries, regarding the occasional necessary amendments (Annex II):
As you comprehend in order to conduct all the above, it is necessary, that the personnel we employ have a rich knowledge and the abilities within this sector, to such a degree that does not occur in any other sector of shipping in general and of tourism more specifically.
Visits to all cruise ship destination ports and examinations with the competent port (Annex IV), management authorities of the master plans as well as other operational projects.
We also cooperate with all the local companies of the cruise destination ports within Greece, who are involved with the transportation of passengers / tourists to the local attractions at each destination – local tourist agents, heads of the archaeological museums etc.
We regard to all of the above you can easily comprehend the potential, the Union of Cruise Ship Owners and Associated Members, to undertake a multidimensional mission and through its longstanding experience, knowledge and responsibility is able to complete its execution.

As you know, the cruise industry is one of the most complex sectors of maritime tourism.
Taking into account that Greece hosts over 65 cruise destinations (Annex IV), the work involved in covering all the cruise related matters within the country is immense.

Our Association plays a major role within this.
Through our initiative the National Cruise Coordination Committee was formed within the Ministry of Merchant Marine as well as the Operation Committee and 4 other Working Groups that examine all issues that arise over time and are submitted by our Union for further evaluation.
Our members, the representatives throughout Greece, are in a close and constant collaboration with the Union to proceed with actions wherever necessary.