Talk about a tight squeeze: You can practically hear the 900-plus passengers of the MS Braemar holding their breath as the 74-foot-wide (22.5 meters) Fred. Olsen Cruise Line ship squeezed through the narrowest stretch of Greece's Corinth Canal, where it measures about 79 feet (24 meters) across.

According to a press release from Fred. Olsen, the Braemar became the largest vessel to pass through the canal, which separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese peninsula, on Oct. 9.

"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, the cruise line's product and customer service director in a press release commemorating the record.

Ward continued, "At Fred. Olsen, we strive to create memories that last a lifetime, and with guests onboard 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 Bahamian-flagged Braemar, which departed Southampton, England, on Sept. 27, is 18 days into a 25-night cruise through the Greek islands, Spain and Portugal.

On Monday, commercial ship tracker VesselFinder reported it passed through another narrow waterway, the Strait of Messina, which separates the Italian mainland from Sicily. The boat had a lot more breathing room this time since the Strait of Messina is nearly two miles wide at its narrowest point.

The passengers paid a pretty penny to witness the record: According to Fred. Olsen, Prices for the 25-day sailing start at more than $5,500 (£4399) per person.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cruise ship passes through Greek Canal with 5 feet of breathing room
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