Cruises to Altinkum

A TWICE-A-WEEK ferry service from Altınkum to Kos will be launched sometime during the summer, Voices can reveal.

News of the much-delayed service was unveiled this week as it was announced that Didim International Port, the newest on the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas, will open officially on May 1.

Fatih Dağıstanoglu, deputy chief executive officer, of Yeşil Marmaris Lines, who will operate the service, said an announcement would be made within weeks confirming the days the twice-weekly service will run and when from.

However, the company confidently expects some result as it has begun to publicise two schedules for tourists coming on the Kos-Altinkum service on its website

It states the service will leave at 8.30am from Kos and return from Didim at 5.20pm, on the Swedish-built 220-capacity catamaran Aegean Jet.

The port will be operated initially by customs staff from Kuşadası Port.

Mr Dağıstanoglu said the port would also host at least four cruise ships, operated by the Seattle-based Windstar Cruises, with the first on Wednesday May 21.

Two more cruise ships will visit on Wednesday May 28 and one on June 4 – with passengers being given the option of taking pre-planned excursions to Ephesus, or to enjoy the delights of Altınkum.

The cruise liners, Wind Star and Wind Spirit, which each have a capacity of 148 passengers, will dock in Altınkum Bay, with passengers being taken on board smaller ships into the port.

Windstar Cruises has opted to call in at Altınkum as the time from Patmos to Altınkum is only one-and-a-half hours, as against four hours to Kuşadasi, and enable travelers to get to the likes of Ephesus quicker.

The announcements were made at the port on Thursday (Apr 10), with many officials in attendance, including Didim governor Mustafa Malay. A cocktail party for the official opening will be held, with many dignitaries present, on May 1.

Travellers on the Windstar Cruises can choose from 46 7-day sailings during May through October to visit beautiful locations, such as Altınkum, and the Greek Isles.

Windstar is the only cruise line that offers such an extensive season of itineraries and traditionally sell out very fast.

Itineraries start or end in Venice, Italy; Rome, Italy; Athens, Greece; or Istanbul, with one itinerary featuring Sarandë, Albania and two itineraries featuring Dubrovnik, Croatia.

A variety of Greek ports are offered including Capri, Messina, Gythion, Návplion, Ermoúpolis, Katákolon, Gythion, Mykonos, Santoríni, Rhodes, Monemvasia, Corfu, Cephaloniá and Kathira.

On Wind Star and Wind Spirit, the Lounge, Veranda and Pool Bar have been renovated. In order to take each ship’s comfort level to a new degree of luxury, Apple iPod Nanos and Bose SoundDock speakers, flat screen televisions, luxury linens and mattresses as well as L’Occitane bathroom amenities have been added in each stateroom across the fleet.

Cruise rates begin at $2,599 per person, based on double occupancy.