Turkey's First Cruise Ship Starts Its Maiden Voyage

ISTANBUL - Turkey's first cruise ship ''MSC Opera'' has started its maiden voyage today (Wednesday).
MSC Turkey Director General Necla Tuncel told reporters, ''MSC Cruises Turkey aims to carry 350-400,000 passengers by October.''
Tuncel said, ''Italian MSC, which serves in cruise tourism, established MSC Turkey together with Turkish Arkas Holding.''
''MSC Opera's maiden voyage starts today from Istanbul's Karakoy Port with 50 Turkish passengers. The number of passengers will reach 1800 when tourists will board from other ports. The ship will tour Croatia (Dubrovnik), Italy (Venice, Bari) and Greece (Katakolon). She will later return to Turkey (Kusadasi, Istanbul),'' added Tuncel.
''Trips will continue by October 12th, 2005. Our target is to carry 350,000-400,000 passengers from Karakoy Port till October,'' said Tuncel.
MSC Opera has a passenger capacity of 2,200 people. The ship offers 4 restaurants, a theatre, casino, bars, cafes, shops, health and sports centers, sauna, children's club and suits with balconies.