On Wednesday, 1 July 2026, participants of the International Summer School “Sustainable Development of the Yachting and Cruise Industry” continued their practical learning programme with a visit to the Marella Explorer 2, anchored in the Bay of Kotor.
Organised within the Interreg IPA South Adriatic project “High LEVEL and market-respondent competences for a blue and digitalized ‘Smart and skilled South Adriatic’ - SKILLS”, the visit was part of Thematic Module 3: Safety and Security in Marinas and Cruising Ports.
The field activity was directly connected with Lesson 3.1, dedicated to safety and security aspects in marinas and ports, including the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, security protocols, procedures and responsibilities, and Lesson 3.2, focused on security threats, equipment, security and risk management plans in marinas and ports.
The visit offered participants a rare opportunity to observe how safety and security procedures are applied in practice, from the Port of Kotor to the ship itself. The programme included a practical demonstration of security procedures at the Port of Kotor, boarding procedures for Marella Explorer 2, and an introduction to security systems on board the ship.
Participants also took part in a guided tour of the ship, including its key operational areas. Special attention was given to the ship’s command bridge and its systems, allowing participants to better understand the connection between navigation, operational control, passenger safety, security management and port coordination.
The visit concluded with a discussion with Captain Ilias Stefanatos, Captain at TUI, active Master Mariner, cruise destination expert and maritime operations strategist. Drawing on extensive professional experience from the bridge and from cruise destination development, Captain Stefanatos shared practical insights into how cruise operations, port calls, safety requirements, guest experience and destination management must function together in real operating conditions.
Marella Explorer 2 is part of the Marella Cruises fleet and offers a wide range of facilities, including restaurants, bars, entertainment areas, spa facilities and outdoor spaces with sea views. For Summer School participants, however, the visit was not only an introduction to the ship as a tourism product, but also a hands-on learning experience on how complex cruise operations are managed safely and efficiently.
Through this field visit, the SKILLS project continued to strengthen practical education and cross-border learning for students and young professionals from Montenegro, Albania and Italy. The activity highlighted the importance of safety, security, risk management and operational readiness as essential competencies for the future development of a smarter, greener and more sustainable South Adriatic Blue Economy.