FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – The cruise ship Crown Iris docked at Limassol port Saturday morning, transporting approximately 1,600 foreign nationals from Israel and beginning the boarding process for a return voyage carrying Israeli citizens.
This marks the vessel’s second round-trip as part of Israel’s “Safe Return” operation, launched in response to ongoing regional hostilities and the closure of Israeli airspace.
Most of the disembarking passengers were young adults from the United States and Europe with Jewish heritage, many of whom had been visiting Israel on heritage programs. Their evacuation was coordinated amid heightened security concerns.
Operated by Mano Maritime, Crown Iris is a 40,000-ton cruise ship with capacity for nearly 2,000 passengers. Originally launched in 1992, the vessel has served under several cruise lines before being acquired by the Israeli company in 2018. It features multiple restaurants, pools, and entertainment venues, and has been repurposed for humanitarian missions during times of crisis.
Simultaneously, around 1,600 Israelis began boarding the ship for repatriation. The port and nearby Larnaca Airport have seen increased activity in recent days, with charter flights and special operations underway to assist with the safe return of nationals.