We began our daily cruises approximately thirty years ago, making accessible and well-known destinations of exceptional natural beauty, designated as NATURA areas—places that were once a privilege enjoyed only by a few.
Over the years, these hidden earthly paradises have been revealed to the world, making the wider regions to which they belong internationally famous. They have offered unforgettable holiday experiences to thousands of Greek and foreign visitors, contributed to the economic development of the area, and played a part in promoting tourism in our country.
We respect and love these magnificent destinations and honor the regions in which we operate. Corporate Social Responsibility is one of our core principles and a commitment that guides our development. As such, we implement the following practices:
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During the summer season, we employ around 200 staff members, almost all of whom are locals.
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We purchase our supplies from the local market.
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We sponsor social, cultural, athletic, and other initiatives. We actively participate in activities organized by various entities that focus on cleaning, protecting, and highlighting the historical and cultural characteristics of the areas we visit, as well as conducting scientific research.
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Our vessels are certified with the Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate (SPPC) and the Oil Pollution Prevention Certificate (OPPC).
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We use certified, environmentally friendly paint products on our ships.
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We maintain a Solid Waste Management Log in accordance with MARPOL 73/78 (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships), one of the most important international agreements for the protection of the marine environment.
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We use environmentally friendly cleaners and detergents.
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We purchase products in large, returnable packaging.
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We replace standard light bulbs with energy-efficient ones.
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We recycle ship batteries in collaboration with AFIS. Battery recycling bins are also available at our offices.
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Most of our vessels are equipped with biological treatment systems. For those without, we hand over wastewater to certified waste management companies.
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We separate waste categories on board and in our offices to enable proper ecological management and recycling.
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We have eliminated plastic cups, stirrers, and straws, replacing them with items made from recyclable natural materials. We also collect plastic caps from water and soft drink bottles aboard our vessels and offices, which we donate to the KISSAMOS branch of the RED CROSS in Chania for further utilization.
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Our vessel arrival and departure times are scheduled to prevent large crowds from being present at the destinations simultaneously.
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The stay at each destination is kept as short as possible: approximately 2 hours in Gramvousa, 2.5 hours in Balos, and 3 hours in Chrissi.
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We inform our customers about each destination to help them better understand and appreciate the places they visit. This is combined with specific guidelines during their visit, through the following means:
a. Our website (www.cretandailycruises.com) provides historical and environmental information (flora and fauna) about each area and environmental tips in seven languages (Greek, English, German, French, Italian, Polish, and Russian).
b. A detailed audio guide for the Balos and Gramvousa cruise, available in four languages (Greek, English, German, and French), is offered free of charge to our customers.
c. On all our ships, upon arrival at each destination, we make the following announcement in six languages over the loudspeaker: “Please respect our beautiful destination by avoiding any form of pollution, as well as the collection of shells and plants. Kindly do not leave any waste behind—take your litter back with you to the ship.”
Proper environmental management and sustainable development of the destinations we visit are goals we share. We are committed to participating both in discussions to find a rational approach to achieving this goal and in the implementation of such efforts.