Cruise Talk: Birka Paradise to Louis?

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Birka Paradise to Louis? (Page 1)

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Author

Topic: Birka Paradise to Louis?

ahrpd
First Class Passenger
Member # 6229

posted 10-14-2007 02:44 AM

Does anyone know whether BIRKA PARADISE is as a successful revenue-earner for Birka Line?

I understand Louis Cruise Lines are seriously interested in acquiring BIRKA PARADISE as part of their fleet upgrading, having confirmed three of their older ships will leave the fleet during 2008. SEA DIAMOND (ex BIRKA PRINCESS) may have been short-lived, but she was very successful for Louis during her one full season (2006).

Tony

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

Christophe D
First Class Passenger
Member # 1680

posted 10-14-2007 03:27 AM

I don't think that Birka Line will sell Birka Paradise to Louis because Birka have sign a contrat with Aker Yards Turku to modernise Birka Paradise same if the ship is recent.

The works will started in january 2008.

Posts: 282 | From: Dunkerque, France | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 10-14-2007 12:08 PM

Interesting question. I believe Birka Line is now the subject of a takeover bid so perhaps it is not in the best financial shape?

Nevertheless, given her young age I imagine this would be a very expensive to buy - is Louis willing (or able) to spend that kind of money?

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

ahrpd
First Class Passenger
Member # 6229

posted 10-14-2007 01:00 PM

With the Louis Group behind the cruise line, I don't really think there is a financial issue. Is Birka's 'predator' a shipping firm or a financial group?

Tony

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

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 10-14-2007 02:56 PM

quote:
Originally posted by ahrpd:
Is Birka's 'predator' a shipping firm or a financial group?

It's a ferry company, Eckerö Line.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 10-14-2007 03:58 PM

Eckero became the major shareholder back at the end of May and Birka an affiliated company of theirs back then. I wondered if this was something new as at that time there was another offer; the details of which were never made public. Birka Cruises are doing well and making profits. The extension to the Indoor Spa area was only announced last month, to be carried out during her already planned overhaul in Jan, so it would be hard to imagine going ahead with this indoor area if she was to be sold for warm water cruising, but one never knows.

Pam

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

dougnewman
First Class Passenger
Member # 11349

posted 10-14-2007 06:41 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
Eckero became the major shareholder back at the end of May and Birka an affiliated company of theirs back then.

Thanks, I didn't realize that but then I wasn't paying all that much attention to be frank

Louis may want her and I suppose "every ship is for sale at the right price" but as selling her would presumably be the end of Birka Line it does seem unlikely to me.

Posts: 2072 | From: Long Island, NY, USA | Registered: Sep 2007 | IP: Logged

putte
First Class Passenger
Member # 5971

posted 10-14-2007 07:36 PM

Hello

I dont think Birka Paradise will be sold for a looooong while, and peronally I love her. She is the only ship her at the Baltic Sea that that is 100% cruise ship. And no she is not in the same legue as RCCL, HAL, COSTA, CUNARD and so on. But she still is better than the regular Finland Ferries if you compare in standard.

I will add som pictures from my trip with her earlier this summer. Enjoy, Hopefully there will be a lot more pic up on my own homepage later.

[IMG]http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb159/Rertro/2.jpg
[/IMG]

At Visby harbour

Posts: 66 | From: sweden | Registered: Oct 2005 | IP: Logged

recab
First Class Passenger
Member # 1677

posted 10-15-2007 03:26 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dougnewman:
Interesting question. I believe Birka Line is now the subject of a takeover bid so perhaps it is not in the best financial shape

Birka is in very good shape and the takeover is a hostile one!

Posts: 730 | From: Aland, Finland | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

recab
First Class Passenger
Member # 1677

posted 10-15-2007 03:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dougnewman:

It's a ferry company, Eckerö Line.

Eckerö Line is NOT a ferry company! It is one of of Rederi AB Eckerö´s brands.

Posts: 730 | From: Aland, Finland | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 10-15-2007 04:52 PM

Thank you putte, those photos are stunning!

Pam

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

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 10-15-2007 06:50 PM

WOW, she's very pretty. She looks like she used to be with RCI.

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 10-15-2007 07:12 PM

She is indeed pretty.

I wish more cities had such a nice ship undertaking short trips.

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

SalamisFiloxenia (Tom...)
First Class Passenger
Member # 6702

posted 10-16-2007 06:37 AM

perhaps pullmantur should buy her and pretend shes the sister of the 'Empress'

Posts: 338 | From: weston super mare | Registered: Jun 2006 | IP: Logged

putte
First Class Passenger
Member # 5971

posted 10-16-2007 11:46 AM

I will later on post a lot more pictures from my cruise with Birka Paradise. She is very nice and there is no ferry feeling onboard her. If any of you visit Stockholm/Sweden for a couple of days, why not take a trip with Paradise.

Our archipelago is amazing during the summer months.

Posts: 66 | From: sweden | Registered: Oct 2005 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 10-16-2007 11:54 AM

quote:
Originally posted by putte:
[...]
Our archipelago is amazing during the summer months.

Actually, also during the winter months.

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

putte
First Class Passenger
Member # 5971

posted 10-16-2007 01:58 PM

"Ernst"

I agree

Posts: 66 | From: sweden | Registered: Oct 2005 | IP: Logged

recab
First Class Passenger
Member # 1677

posted 10-16-2007 02:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by putte:
"Ernst"
I agree

Hej putte,
Visst är det härligt även på vintern. Man sover så gott när fartygen går genom isen!

Posts: 730 | From: Aland, Finland | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 10-16-2007 02:19 PM

I have some more material on that - for now only these three clips.

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

putte
First Class Passenger
Member # 5971

posted 10-17-2007 09:11 AM

I agree
The summers is wonderful but fear enough every season has it`s own style of beauty.

Nice videos, it makes me wanna jump onboard at once.

Posts: 66 | From: sweden | Registered: Oct 2005 | IP: Logged

SHIPS AGENT
First Class Passenger
Member # 3827

posted 10-19-2007 10:04 AM

Hello friends

I heard from a reliable source that Louis is considering the possibility of acquiring two NCL ships, namely the Norwegian Majesty and another ship (?)...

I believe that this migth be the answer to your queries...

Ship's Agent

Posts: 100 | From: Madeira Island | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

Thad
First Class Passenger
Member # 1224

posted 10-19-2007 10:38 AM

I would guess the other ship would have to be the Norwegian Dream. Both she and the Norwegian Majesty are doing the Bermuda run next year to St. George's...

Posts: 1967 | From: Boston, MA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

r.fiebig
First Class Passenger
Member # 5240

posted 10-19-2007 06:03 PM

Yes, obviously, Thad.

Best,

Raoul

Posts: 775 | From: Paderborn, Germany | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 10-20-2007 01:27 AM

quote:
Originally posted by SHIPS AGENT:
Hello friends
I heard from a reliable source that Louis is considering the possibility of acquiring two NCL ships, namely the Norwegian Majesty and another ship (?)...
I believe that this migth be the answer to your queries...
Ship's Agent

No doubt Louis Cruises has their eyes on NORWEGIAN DREAM and NORWEGIAN MAJESTY. I think most likely the later will be sold, but Star will keep the NORWEGIAN DREAM and turn her into a running mate to the SUPERSTAR AQUARIUS.

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

mike sa
First Class Passenger
Member # 5957

posted 10-20-2007 02:05 AM

I wouldn't mind betting Star would be happy to get rid of both given their financial issues, had the market been able to take more tonnage they would have shifted them along time ago.

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

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