Pleasure cruise from Haifa to Akko to set sail
The northern port cities of Haifa and Akko are set to be connected by Israel's first pleasure cruise; cruise will enable tourists to stay in Haifa, and bypass all the traffic as they travel to Akko by sea; the trip takes 25 minutes, and costs NIS 30 one way, NIS 55 for a return trip.
The ferry will be able to hold 220 people, and will provide a festive atmosphere with music and views of the northern Israeli coast. The 25 minute long trip enables travelers to bypass the traffic between the two cities, and costs NIS 30 for a one way trip, and NIS 55 for a two way ticket.
The ship will pass by spectacular views of the western and lower Galilee, enabling travelers to enjoy the views as they sail past the walls of the old city of Akko and its famous lighthouse on the way to Haifa.
At night, it will be possible to see the glistening lights of Haifa all up and down Mt. Carmel, and see the world famous Bahai gardens lit up.
An automated recording will tell the history of all the people who controlled the area, and their impact on the region – from the Romans and the Mamluks to the Crusaders and the British.
The pleasure cruise will be officially inaugurated next week by Tourism Minister Yariv Levin, and will begin running during the intermediate days of the Jewish festival of Sukkot. The line will run in both directions four times a day throughout the holiday.
The Israeli Ministry of Tourism, the Old Acre Development Company, and the municipalities of both Akko and Haifa are behind the project.
The project itself is the realization of a dream which the head of the Old Acre Development Company, Dudu Harari, has held on to and saw to its fulfillment. He saw the first liner of the line – the Akko Queen – inaugurated. The liner will be captained by Eduard Huri.
There are currently 1,400 hotel rooms in Haifa, with another 600 being built. It is hoped that people will come visit Haifa and come to explore the rest of the north of Israel using Haifa as a base. The pleasure cruise will enable people to stay in Haifa and reach Akko's Old City with ease.
