Crown Iris Cleared After Bomb Threat Delays Syros Call

A bomb threat delayed Mano Cruise’s Crown Iris at Syros, Greece, for several hours on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, before searches found no explosives and authorities cleared the vessel to continue to Haifa, Israel. Passengers were allowed to reboard after inspections ended late that evening.

The Panama-flagged, Israeli-owned ship, acquired by Mano Maritime in 2018 and the operator’s only cruise vessel, was carrying 940 passengers and 597 crew members. An unidentified person had claimed that an explosive device was attached to the vessel’s hull, according to Greek authorities cited by Reuters.

Specialist team inspected the underwater hull

The initial search involved a Port Authority bomb disposal team, an explosives detection dog and a private diver. A specialist team from the Greek coast guard’s Underwater Missions Unit subsequently traveled from Piraeus and conducted a further inspection of the submerged hull before boarding resumed.

Crown Iris had been scheduled to visit Syros from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. AIS tracking showed the vessel was still in port at approximately 10 p.m.

Syros was the final port call on a seven-night round-trip cruise that left Haifa on October 29. The itinerary had already included Kos, Piraeus and Nafplio.

Separately, bomb threats against at least seven passenger flights across Europe that day led to searches, diversions and temporary airport disruptions. No explosive devices were found, according to Reuters.

Waterfront protest had been prohibited

The security operation followed a decision by local authorities a day earlier to prohibit a planned waterfront protest against the ship’s visit. The Syros Anti-War Initiative had proposed gathering on the Ermoupoli waterfront before the vessel arrived.

The Hellenic Coast Guard said the proposed location “posed a severe threat to public security,” citing potential risks to people, property and the area’s social and economic activity. Authorities permitted a demonstration at an alternative site away from the waterfront, but it was not clear whether that gathering took place.

Earlier visits drew protests and tighter security

Crown Iris has encountered earlier disruptions at Greek ports. In July 2025, anti-Israel protesters prevented passengers from disembarking at Syros, and the ship diverted to Cyprus. Six days later, riot police held protesters back during a call at Rhodes, where passengers went ashore without incident.

Protests against the vessel have also taken place in Piraeus and Crete. In June 2026, authorities arrested a 37-year-old man in Crete on suspicion of involvement in a possible attack plot against the ship.

During Crown Iris’s October 14, 2026, visit to Argostoli, authorities restricted both road and marine traffic for the vessel’s security.