Cruise Talk: What now for Louis?

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Author

Topic: What now for Louis?

ahrpd
First Class Passenger
Member # 6229

posted 04-07-2007 05:56 AM

Leaving aside the issues surrounding the sinking of SEA DIAMOND, what does Louis do to replace her? Her loss from the trade at the start of the 2007 season must be quite horrendous for the company to contemplate, more so that this year, their virtual monopoly on Piraeus-based cruises is over, with not only Golden Star back this year with AEGEAN II, but Monarch Classic Cruises also in the frame with BLUE MONARCH and OCEAN COUNTESS.

Louis have worked very hard to effectively replace Royal Olympia and I can't see them giving up their share of this market, particularly as 2007 is expected to be a good year.

I had seen a report that THOMSON SPIRIT (which Louis owns) may be brought in as a replacement ship. Interestingly, she was due to depart Piraeus yesterday for a three day cruises as MV SPIRIT - whether sales were down or there is another reason, but according to AIS Live she is still docked in Piraeus. What would Thomson think about losing one of their ships?

Could Louis possibly consider bringing OCEAN MONARCH out of lay up and chartering her in the short term, even though her capacity is less than half that of SEA DIAMOND? She performed well last year and has only been laid up for the winter, so presumably could be reactivated at short notice?

Could they also bring AEGEAN I out of layup - would require more work, but between the two, they would have the capacity of the lost ship.

All these possibilities are fascinating and I would welcome anybody's else's views on this.

Posts: 948 | From: gibraltar | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

HKcruises
First Class Passenger
Member # 6094

posted 04-07-2007 07:53 AM

but I thought their image has been already broken.
I expect the company will receive a large number of cancelation from their passangers.

May be they can cancel some of the departures of their remaining ships and fill up Sea Diamond's gap.
So no addition ship is needed.

Posts: 79 | From: Hong Kong | Registered: Dec 2005 | IP: Logged

NicholasK
First Class Passenger
Member # 4621

posted 04-07-2007 08:37 AM

Sea Diamond will provisionally been replaced by Thomson Spirit. As Thomson Spirit go back to Thomson, Louis have to replace that ship.

There is also a need of another ship in Cyprus, since Ausonia charted to Greece and renamed to Aegean 2.

Posts: 88 | From: Cyprus | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged

mike sa
First Class Passenger
Member # 5957

posted 04-07-2007 09:36 AM

Whether Louis has any responsibilty or not with regard to the sinking of Sea Diamond it is huge PR blow to them, I would have thought that they may not need a replacement at all, after all many will cancel their bookings and others simply will not book at all or go elsewhere. If they do have responsibility (ie not maintaining good standards of safety or allowing unsafe practise) it is very likely the end for Louis Cruises full stop, the lawsuits would be enormous even if the ship itself is owned by a different shell company.

Posts: 2272 | From: Durban, South Africa | Registered: Sep 2005 | IP: Logged

Panos
First Class Passenger
Member # 1022

posted 04-07-2007 09:59 AM

It has been revealed on Saturday that the Captain and 4 other crew members have admitted human error while manoevring the ship. They have been prosecuted by Greek Authorities and will be appearing in court.

Louis did not make any announcements yet, however it is expected that any announcements will not be made before Tuesday since Good Friday and Easter Monday and holidays in Cyprus and the Stock Exchange is closed.

The ship was bought for $35m.

Obiously nobody knows anything about the future of Louis, however one of the company's main incomes comes from their chartered fleet to Thomson.

It will be interesing to see how the partnership with Easycruise evolves after this.

[ 04-07-2007: Message edited by: Panos ]

Posts: 443 | From: Cyprus | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Johan C
First Class Passenger
Member # 1201

posted 04-07-2007 11:36 AM

Louis is the biggest financial group from Cyprus. They own a lot of hotels in Cyprus, Greece and other countries, they are involved with airport operations and many,many other things mainly in Cyprus and Greece so cruise is not the main buisiness

Posts: 256 | From: Ghent, historic city in Belgium | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 04-07-2007 11:48 AM

The sinking of SEA DIAMOND definately is a PR blow. But remember that in the late 90s and early 2000, Louis operated a few ships while their main income was from chartering. So I think if they survive the cancellations from passengers and claims, they can always go back to a small operation.

Also, Louis owns Golden Star Cruises so they could always transfer their ships under the Golden Star brand and grow it.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Amerikanis
First Class Passenger
Member # 1835

posted 04-07-2007 12:16 PM

Louis, the Specialist in grounding Ships.

On my last Cruise with the Sapphire of Louis Cruises i was grounded at Mykonos.

After one Night, the are sucessful in continuing the Cruise.

Posts: 1034 | From: Gutach, Black Forest, Germany | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 04-07-2007 12:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Amerikanis:
Louis, the Specialist in grounding Ships.

Sorry, but I think this is a rather inadequate and even tasteless comment - giving the fact that two people probalby died in the accident of Sea Diamond.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 04-07-2007 01:35 PM

Ships gound fairly frequently it seems. Recent ones off the top of my head are Sky Wonder, Regal Princess x 2, Grand Princess, Nordkapp, Enchantment of the Seas [well hit dock], Vistamar and Mona Lisa [twice?].. of course there are many others too, longer ago, Monarch of the Seas, Star Princess; thankfully most do not cause much problem, but I fail to see how any line in particular can be labelled as worse than any other. My parents got stuck in the mud in the Solent once, can't recall if it was Aurora or Oriana, but these things happen.

Norwegian Crown at Bermuda too recently and QE2 a while back now. Black Prince got stuck off Cuba one year.. I don't think there is any line 'exempt'.

Pam

[ 04-07-2007: Message edited by: PamM ]

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Panos
First Class Passenger
Member # 1022

posted 04-07-2007 07:55 PM

Heard tonights news from Greece, it has been confirmed that the Captain admitted human error. It was his first trip to Santorini as a Captain but has done the same itinerary as Sub-Captain many times during the last few years.

Apart from admitting that it was a mistake, he said that he cannot give a reason as to why this happened as he knew about the particular features of the Santorini sea which were clearly marked on maps and electronic aids.

Louis announced on Cypriot TV that the Sea Diamond was inspected recently by Der Norske Veritas and was complying with all the latest safety regulations and standards.

Posts: 443 | From: Cyprus | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

adriana & norway lover
First Class Passenger
Member # 7184

posted 04-10-2007 06:29 AM

I think the OPERA (ex SILJA OPERA, SALLY ALBATROSS) was a good replacement ship...

Posts: 199 | From: Caen, France | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged

rd77
First Class Passenger
Member # 2117

posted 04-10-2007 08:18 AM

quote:
Originally posted by adriana & norway lover:
I think the OPERA (ex SILJA OPERA, SALLY ALBATROSS) was a good replacement ship...

that is actually a very good suggestion! She is probably not too expensive either, as she has been laid up for quite a while already....

Posts: 1037 | From: The Hague, Netherlands | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 04-10-2007 08:59 AM

Any of the remaining Carnival Holiday class or the Norwegian Dream, Wind, Sea, or Majesty.

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

adriana & norway lover
First Class Passenger
Member # 7184

posted 04-10-2007 09:58 AM

quote:
Originally posted by desirod7:
Any of the remaining Carnival Holiday class or the Norwegian Dream, Wind, Sea, or Majesty.

Norwegian Sea is now Star Cruises' Superstar Libra, and the Norwegian Wind is due to be transferred to Star Cruises as Superstar Aquarius this year.

But Norwegian Majesty is a good ship for Louis Cruises, but she's not available for the moment

Posts: 199 | From: Caen, France | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 04-10-2007 10:19 AM

quote:
Originally posted by adriana & norway lover:

But Norwegian Majesty is a good ship for Louis Cruises, but she's not available for the moment

A while back there were rumors about NCL putting NORWEGIAN MAJESTY on the block. I believe Louis was mentioned too.

SILJA OPERA is a good replacement ship!

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Peter P
First Class Passenger
Member # 374

posted 04-10-2007 12:12 PM

Silja Opera has a bit bad history.
Her final days with Louis doesnt sound good

Costa has old ships they could consider selling?

[ 04-10-2007: Message edited by: Peter P ]

Posts: 329 | From: Finland | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

ahrpd
First Class Passenger
Member # 6229

posted 04-10-2007 03:50 PM

I hear Louis is looking at replacing SEA DIAMOND with either MARCO POLO of NCL or DREAM (ex DREAM PRINCESS) of Caspi Cruises.

Considering DREAM's spectacularly unsuccessful recent career, I would think she would be eminently suitable, even though I personally prefer MARCO POLO. I don't think, though, my preferences will count for much when Louis make their decision!!!

Either way, I hope the gloom merchants who have been predicting the demise of Louis Cruise Lines as a result of the events in Santorini, will be proved wrong!

Posts: 948 | From: gibraltar | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

Karsten
First Class Passenger
Member # 1509

posted 04-10-2007 04:03 PM

What about the AEGEAN I ??
Also a ship like the ENCHANTED CAPRI could be a nice addition to the fleet...

But: only ideas, not more!

Posts: 875 | From: NRW/Germany | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

ahrpd
First Class Passenger
Member # 6229

posted 04-10-2007 04:10 PM

Hi Karsten

AEGEAN I is still the subject of an ownership dispute between Louis and Golden Star Cruises (which is a separate company and not connected to Louis) and as a result, is laid up in Eleusis Bay until this matter has been resolved.

ENCHANTED CAPRI was acquired by Demar of Mexico as an accommodation ship, having chartered it for some time. For as long as they require such a vessel, I cannot see them selling it.

Posts: 948 | From: gibraltar | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

Karsten
First Class Passenger
Member # 1509

posted 04-10-2007 04:14 PM

Thank you. I wondered about the silence around AEGEAN I - no cruises found for 2007 ... I did not know these facts!

We will see what will happen... I am sure that LOUIS will find a replacement... it seems that the cruises are very popular and they cannot allow to cancel them... what do you think? Or they use one of the older ships... PRINCESA MARISSA, SERENADE...

Posts: 875 | From: NRW/Germany | Registered: Aug 2000 | IP: Logged

NicholasK
First Class Passenger
Member # 4621

posted 04-11-2007 12:41 PM

Hello,

This is the official Louis announcement.

Louis plc announces that the Greek-flagged cruise ship of Louis Hellenic Cruises “Sea Diamond”, which was on a 4-day cruise in the Aegean Sea, struck a reef off the island of Santorini on Thursday, April 5, 2007 and sank in the early hours of the next day. The ship carried 1,156 passengers and 391 crew. All passengers and crew disembarked the ship with safety, expect for two passengers of French nationality, who are still missing. The Company is in cooperation with the competent authorities in order to find the two missing passengers and to investigate the conditions of the accident. It also expresses its grief for the accident.

The Company also hired out a private company, specialized in the prevention and management of sea pollution to avoid any possible environmental impacts in the area.

Sea Diamond belongs to Louis fleet since March 2006, it is fully insured (including its value and possible pollution) and the financial results will not be affected by its loss. From Monday, April 9, the cruise program of Sea Diamond will continue normally, while the Company is currently trying to replace Sea Diamond with a new ship permanently, so as to avoid any possible repercussions on its results in the Sector of Cruises for 2007.

Posts: 88 | From: Cyprus | Registered: Apr 2004 | IP: Logged

Panos
First Class Passenger
Member # 1022

posted 04-11-2007 12:52 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ahrpd:
Hi Karsten
AEGEAN I is still the subject of an ownership dispute between Louis and Golden Star Cruises (which is a separate company and not connected to Louis) and as a result, is laid up in Eleusis Bay until this matter has been resolved.

I am a bit confused here. I remember reading that Louis bough the majority of shares in Golden Star Cruises. That's why Ausonia has been renamed Aegean II and transfered to Golden Star.

Posts: 443 | From: Cyprus | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Carlos Fernandez
First Class Passenger
Member # 6432

posted 04-11-2007 12:53 PM

What ship?

Posts: 1325 | From: Miami, Florida (Cruise Capital of the World) | Registered: Apr 2006 | IP: Logged

ahrpd
First Class Passenger
Member # 6229

posted 04-11-2007 01:04 PM

Hi Panos

Golden Star is owned by Mr Argiris Angelopoulos.

Louis Cruise Lines bought a 70% stake in ROC Holdings, parent company of Royal Olympic Cruises back in 1999 and have never invested in Golden Star Cruises. Louis sold back its shares in ROC to the Potamianos Family in 2002.

What is unclear is the arrangement between Louis and Golden Star for the operation of AEGEAN TWO this summer. It is assumed to be some compromise over the dispute over AEGEAN I's ownership.

Posts: 948 | From: gibraltar | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

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