TIGHT SQUEEZE

A 195m liner operated by the UK’s Fred Olsen Cruise Lines – the Braemar – has just claimed the record for the largest ship to pass through Greece’s famous Corinth Canal.

The 6.3km canal – which connects the Gulf of Corinth with the Saronic Gulf – is 25m wide. The 24,344-ton Braemar has a 22.5m beam, but with precision manoeuvring she managed to carry her 929 passengers safely through the narrow waterway.

“This is such an exciting sailing and tremendous milestone in Fred Olsen’s 171-year history, and we are thrilled to have been able to share it with our guests,” said Clare Ward, director of product and customer service for the company.

“At Fred Olsen, we strive to create memories that last a lifetime, and with guests on board Braemar able to get so close to the edges of the Corinth Canal that they could almost touch the sides, we know that this will be a holiday that they will never forget.”

The canal was opened in 1893 and considerably shortens the travel time between Athens and Italian ports.