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(Saga actually tried to buy this at least once, from Hapag-Lloyd, but Hapag preferred to sell her to Star Cruises, which would be less likely to poach Hapag business.)
But Saga and Phoenix Reisen have both just bought ships and I think she's too small for Fred. Olsen so I'm not really sure where she could be going.
As for what ship could replace her, we could see CDF disappear, but it also already has cruises on whatever the ex HORIZON is called this week - PACIFIC DREAM? - so I guess she could be the replacement, or some other Pullmantur ship.
It had been suggested that CDF might get the Azamara ships if RCCL pulled the plug there but with Larry Pimentel having just been appointed to run that operation I assume RCCL intends to keep it around.
quote:Originally posted by dougnewman:But Saga and Phoenix Reisen have both just bought ships and I think she's too small for Fred. Olsen so I'm not really sure where she could be going.
Didn't they announce (or was it a rumor) that the Horizon would go to the French firm as a second ship?
I actually hope Saga is buying the ship because I always thought the Europa (1980) was a very nice ship.
When Fred. Olsen buys its next ship it will likely be in the 1,200-1,600 passenger range. The ships at the top of Fred. Olsen's "shopping list" when it bought BALMORAL were actually HORIZON and ZENITH. Not surprising that BALMORAL was stretched to about the size of those ships!
She is also much too small for Louis. The last two ships bought by Louis had about 1,450 and 1,750 berths respectively. Admittedly, Louis backed out on one of those (and both were contracted at outrageously high prices) but nevertheless it is obvious that Louis was/is looking for larger ships.
(Really she is not too small for Fred. Olsen or Louis, but she carries too few passengers. She is a very low-density ship.)
Anyway I am very happy that it the rumor is now that Saga has bought her as I think Saga is an ideal owner for this ship and this ship is an ideal ship for Saga. I was never really satisfied with the ex ASTORIA as a replacement for SAGA ROSE (and this is after all not what Saga bought her for, either!) whereas I think BLEU DE FRANCE would be as good a replacement as there is. Admittedly, she has been mucked around with a bit but nevertheless this is a ship with an impeccable pedigree as one of the best, if not the best cruise ship in the world in the '80s and '90s.
And yes, as BLEU DE FRANCE will be spending the winter season 2009-2010 in the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea rather than the Caribbean, PACIFIC DREAM's Caribbean cruises are being marketed by CDF, but they are not strictly speaking CDF cruises, they will be primarily Spanish-speaking Pullmantur cruises, with a French-speaking host on board for CDF pax.
quote:Originally posted by dougnewman:[...] this is a ship with an impeccable pedigree as one of the best, if not the best cruise ship in the world in the '80s and '90s.[...]
The best. End of discussion.
However if the sale does go through and they move Astoria to Spirit of... cruise I am concerned they might be over extending themselves. Mind could be a great opportunity to sell off Spirit cruises at a good profit.
Best regards from Galaxy
It is always possible that Voyages of Discovery could be interested in Spirit of Adventure and the at present named Astoria as they have been reported as looking for another ship.
This would then give Saga some extra cash.
With reports of more ports missed by the mv Discovery this year it could be the chance for VOD to get two newer ships and sell the mv Discovery to Alang !
You have to remember that these problems with mv Discovery keep spoiling peoples holidays !
They have paid for a cruise and expect it to go where advertised and not keep missing ports as has now happened two years running due to mechanical problems with this ship.
[ 10-17-2009: Message edited by: Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company. ]
Since her spruce up in Perama at the beginning of the month, she has been sitting in Izmir, having arrived there on 10 Jan.
Pam
J
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