The 2023 cruise season of the cruise company Meno Seponat began this week with a historic cruise where the luxury ship “Crown Iris” docked in the port of Marmaris in Turkey. This is after 12 years in which the company’s ships did not dock at Turkish ports, which used to be a very popular destination for cruises from Israel. Yesterday the ship with about 1,800 passengers on board returned to land.
A local orchestra and a Turkish dance troupe awaited the passengers on the platform in Maris. Next to them were a number of stalls that offered a selection of local produce. For the sailors, buses were waiting for beach tours with Israeli guides. The Israeli passengers who traveled in and around Marmaris until the evening hours, noted on their return to the ship loaded with experiences and shopping that “Marmaris is a stunning tourist destination”, and “it was fun to get here”.
In Marmaris, representatives of the port, the municipality, and the Turkish agent boarded the ship, and they were received by Moshe Meno, the owner and chairman of Meno Shipping, who sailed with his wife Iris on the maiden voyage to Turkey on the “Crown Iris”. The representatives expressed their joy at the resumption of sailings to the ports of the Turkish Riviera.
Moshe Meno (in the center of the picture) said: “This is about renewing the good tourist relations we had in the past for many years with the Turks. We were received with great warmth and so were the passengers who went down to the beach. This season we plan to come here again and also to Alanya, two leading tourist sites that Israelis love.”
With this, the cruise company “Mano Shipping” opened the cruise season in which the ship “Crown Iris” will go on 61 cruises to various destinations with tens of thousands of vacationers. This year the ship will sail from Haifa to about 7 countries and dozens of destinations, on voyages of 3-4 nights, 7 nights and 11 nights.
The most luxurious and popular ship among the Israeli public for many years, it can host about 2,000 passengers, in about 750 rooms, including suites and rooms with a balcony, and about 650 crew members.
At the beginning of the season in the months of Air and Sivan (May-June) you can get good “deals” for vacations abroad. The prices of the cruises during this period are about 25 to 30 percent cheaper compared to the same cruises during the summer vacation (July-August). If you have planned a vacation soon, you should Think about the benefits of a 3 or 4 night cruise on the “Crown Iris”, where full board is kosher. The price includes 3 meals a day, under the supervision of Rabbi Dayan from Geneva and a kosher supervisor who is always on board.
The vacation begins upon arrival at Haifa Port, which is located next to the “Hasmona” train station. When you get on the ship you get lunch and start your vacation.
On the ship there is no limit on weight or the amount of luggage. Back in Israel you can bring all the shopping and gifts you bought in accordance with the customs conditions in Israel. On a ship you move from country to country, without leaving your room. Another advantage: duty free on the ship without time pressure like at the airport.
The “Crown Iris” ship has four restaurants, including a “Chef Restaurant”. Passengers enjoy 3 rich meals daily, including special dishes for children, international and Israeli shows, special activity for children, 2 swimming pools, jacuzzi, water slide, basketball court, pampering spa, duty free shops, casino, 10 bars and lounges, and more. On the main floor there is the only permanent synagogue in the world of cruises, where several minyans are held a day.
In any port where you anchor you can join organized tours with an Israeli guide.
Moran Mano, the company’s VP and business development manager: “Our emphasis is on the passenger experience. We offer a variety of ingredients for an enjoyable vacation. Professional and courteous service, meals like the king’s, excellent entertainment, beach tours and more. This is the opportunity to enjoy attractive prices on a vacation cruise.”
Photographs: Boris Lipkin
