Thaleia was built in 1935 in Samos from pine and mulberry wood by order of ship builder and owner K. Ganose.
The ship belongs to "Varkala" type, it was a merchant vessel carrying mostly animals and logging cargo. At that time she was a "Small giant of the Aegean " according to other sailors' witnesses .
The toughest of vessels as it was proving by deeds later at war at 1941 especially during the dangerous mission at Egypt
The war in 1940 finds the vessel loading loggings. Nazis captured the crew and vessel which was released later and returned to Greece.
When Crete was captured, Thaleia fled to Egypt and sailed till 1943 as a mine countermeasure vessel.
After World War II, Thaleia continued to serve at Royal Hellenic Navy as a mine countermeasure vessel ‘till 1949.
After the war Thaleia was bought at Isthmia in Corinth, she was rebuilt at Perama from ship builder Psarros.
This time, the type of the vessel is called "Liberty". She took the name "Maro", and sailed as a fishing vessel in the North Aegean sea.
People of the area used to call her "Gallant Ship" because she was sailing with up to 8 Beauforts from Porto Koufo to Lemnos island, while other vessels stayed at dock.
In 2005 a terrible fire started on the vessel by unknown cause with the result of the destruction of a large area on deck. Later on the damage was restored to its former look.
In 1995 she changed her name and ownership and became a traditional wooden, tourist vessel. “Arabella” as a cafe bar can give you a more romantic kind of view to the way you look of Thessaloniki.
As years passed by she changed to different ports like Peraia and Platamonas with final destination Thermaikos gulf.
By decision of the Ministry of Culture, Arabella with registry number 314, is connected to the operations carried out in the Eastern Mediterranean during the WWII and is therefore a vessel of proven historical value.
Arabella has been loved by many people with many events taking place on her deck: photo shoots for fashion magazines, video clips, reception parties etc.
She makes daily cruises around the gulf, each lasting 30 minutes. The starting point is the White Tower. The ship’s capacity is 150 PAX.
Arabella's length over all is 25 meters, 20 meters height (14 the mast) and 2.2 meters is her depth.
At least once per year during winter months she goes to dry dock for an annual survey, a costly but necessary procedure for optimal performance and reliable operation.
