Cruise Talk: Sunbird/LouisLine

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » Sunbird/LouisLine

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Topic: Sunbird/LouisLine

Oldsalty
First Class Passenger
Member # 4581

posted 04-17-2004 09:32 AM

I heard that Louis Line bought the three Air Tours / My Travel ships. Now they say he has chartered / leased the Sunbird to Thompsons / Tui

Posts: 53 | From: UK Manchester | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Oldsalty
First Class Passenger
Member # 4581

posted 04-17-2004 09:42 AM

Just heard the name for Sunbird will be Thomson Destiny.
Have sailed on three ships that Louis Lines runs the hotel side on.
The crews have been the most friendly and efficient ones I have sailed with. I find that a good crew can often more than make up for a ship that maybe a little older than most or does not have either the facilities that todays megaliners may have. (and that from someone who sailed on Qm2)

Posts: 53 | From: UK Manchester | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 04-18-2004 01:25 PM

I dont think that was such a good idea for Thomson either, the Sunbird just doesn't fit in with Thomson thats for sure! Unless maybe they sail her in North America, then maybe and with a different concept, but to base her in Britain or Europe, dont think it will go over too well! Especially for Thomson as they have Thomson Spirit and soon the Celebration, but the Sunbird????????

Even the Emerald is better suited for Thomson as she is technically still in way better condition having been totally rebuilt not too long ago!

I think if THomson wanted any ships they should have done a charter with The two Olympia ships!!

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 04-18-2004 03:06 PM

I disagree:

Airtours (MyTravel) and Thomson provided a similar 'budget' cruise product for UK passengers. In fact they were our only budget lines.

MyTravel opting out of the Cruise business will leave a big gap. Thomson are ideally placed to pick up on this and Sunbird is the best ship of the bunch to buy.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Oldsalty
First Class Passenger
Member # 4581

posted 04-18-2004 03:30 PM

Well Malcolm we agree on this one. We didn't on QM2 comments. Thomson's are well placed to pick up My Travel business with the Sunbird. The Olympic boats were not available when they signed up for the Celebration. It makes operational sense to have two boats the same, especially if you are happy with the first one, the Spirit. We must remember that the majority of people that sail on the Thomsons ships are not cruise buffs. Thomsons get a high number of repeat cruisers, lots of first trippers. Once thay have expeirenced a cruise and enjoyed it they book again, another ship of a different name, to them it is a different ship. Most will not pick up a brochure from the larger cruise lines, if they do they see brochure prices, not the price that we may pay. They feel comfortable and trust the Thomson / My Travel brand. I know becuase i'm one of them. Sailed on the worst cruise ever, the first trip of The Sapphire.
Every passenger got full refund plus all monies back spent on board, then 2 more on Thomson's Topaz. Now sailed with Celebrity Royal Carribean Cunard Air Tours Festival.

Posts: 53 | From: UK Manchester | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 04-18-2004 08:17 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Oldsalty:
Well Malcolm we agree on this one. We didn't on QM2 comments.

Don't worry, I will be writting a long QM2 report - you are bound to agree with some of it!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 04-18-2004 09:33 PM

Malcolm, What I meant was The Sunbird is totally different then the Thompson Spirit or Celebration and passengers may notice! And depending on the itinerary she sails, she may do okay but Thomson and My Travel we're not competitors 100% exactly, so their will be some differences for sure!

The Sunbird and Carousel however are close to the same,not identical but closer than the Sunbird is to Spirit or Celebration!

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Oldsalty
First Class Passenger
Member # 4581

posted 04-24-2005 05:57 AM

Thomson are dropping the Emerald and replacing her with--- Triton...

Posts: 53 | From: UK Manchester | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Oldsalty
First Class Passenger
Member # 4581

posted 04-24-2005 05:59 AM

Thomson are dropping the Emerald and replacing her with--- Triton...

Posts: 53 | From: UK Manchester | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 04-24-2005 06:06 AM

When did you hear this Old Salty? I have been waiting to see what itineraries Louis were planning, but nothing has yet appeared on their website. I wuld love to sail Triton, but was hoping for a more International flavour!

Pam

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

Panos
First Class Passenger
Member # 1022

posted 04-24-2005 12:15 PM

quote:
Originally posted by PamM:
When did you hear this Old Salty? I have been waiting to see what itineraries Louis were planning, but nothing has yet appeared on their website. I wuld love to sail Triton, but was hoping for a more International flavour!
Pam

Interesting.

I am happy to hear that Louis do a good job on Thomson ships.

As far as "Triton" is concerned, Cypriot newspapers report that Louis is in contact with Greek officials in order to negotiate the transfer of 3 ships onto the Greek registry.

Emerald has already been registered in Greece and is to be followed soon by Aquamarine, Calypso and Sapphire.

Cruises from Piraeus have already started aboard the Emerald which however will be returning to Thomson at the end of the month. This is beacause of a 3-year contract between Louis and Thomson for the chartering of Emerald.

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

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 04-24-2005 09:08 PM

Where are Aquamarine,Calyspo and Sapphire registered now?? Is the Greek registry better, or is their a specific reason Louis is switching them??

How many ships does Louis have left registered in Limmasol??

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Panos
First Class Passenger
Member # 1022

posted 04-25-2005 01:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by gpcruisedude:
Where are Aquamarine,Calyspo and Sapphire registered now?? Is the Greek registry better, or is their a specific reason Louis is switching them??
How many ships does Louis have left registered in Limmasol??

Most of the Louis ships are registered in Limassol at the moment.

However, due to the fact that Turkey still does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, there is a problem when ships need to call at Turkish ports like Kusadasi. In fact any ship that is registered in Cyprus or has called at a Cyprus port is banned from visiting Turkey.
This is Turkey's long lasting policy that started after their invasion in 1974 and military occupation of the North part of the island since then.

Hence, Louis are switching their ships to Piraeus.

It is expected that the problem with Turkey should be ressolved due to Turkey's accession into the EU where Cyprus is a full member.

[ 04-25-2005: Message edited by: Pan ]

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

geno-er
First Class Passenger
Member # 4202

posted 04-28-2005 06:30 PM

What has happened to the old Nordic Prince?

Posts: 159 | From: Pocono's, Pa. | Registered: Oct 2003 | IP: Logged

NicholasK
First Class Passenger
Member # 4621

posted 04-28-2005 06:39 PM

She was renamed to "Aquamarine" and she is going to operate from Italy alongside with "The Sapphire" in 7 DAY CRUISES.

Nikolas

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

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 04-30-2005 07:48 PM

Sunbird is a much, much better ship than either the Thomson Spirit or Celebration - no comapriuson whatsoever.

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

elad
First Class Passenger
Member # 5150

posted 05-08-2005 05:48 AM

quote:
Most of the Louis ships are registered in Limassol at the moment

I know that Calypso is registered in Nassau

Elad

Posts: 747 | From: israel | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

NicholasK
First Class Passenger
Member # 4621

posted 05-08-2005 09:22 AM

Anyone has any pictures from her in Louis colours?

Here is a picture of Emerald in Louis colours.

T/S THE EMERALD, Pireus 6/3-2005

Also some pictures of Ausonia got this March 2005.

Nikolas

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

Panos
First Class Passenger
Member # 1022

posted 05-08-2005 04:20 PM

I assume that the Emerald got the "L" for the time she was performing cruises from Piraeus.

Thanks for the photos Nicholas.

So, which is the final colour scheme?

The one with the "L" or the one without it?

While I was on holiday, I have seen Serenade and her funnel has the original blue "L" with the red "sign" above it - similar to Emerald.

But Ausonia appears to have only the red sign.

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

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 05-08-2005 07:37 PM

In that picture of the Ausonia is it in Limassol and u can see the name "AUSONIA" but you can also see some letters under it if u look close,especially under the "A"! Anyone know what this is, cause I thought the Ausonia never had another name before??

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

elad
First Class Passenger
Member # 5150

posted 05-08-2005 08:20 PM

i saw the Serenade in Haifa a week ago
with the L logo

Posts: 747 | From: israel | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 05-08-2005 08:27 PM

I believe the red "sun" is the new livery.

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

Patrick
First Class Passenger
Member # 364

posted 05-09-2005 03:11 AM

The AUSONIA-name is actually the same, only the U was changed from a V. Whe I cruised on her in Grimaldi-times, her name was written AVSONIA, the latin version.
Louis changed the V in a U when they took her over.
Otherwise, her name remained the same.

Patrick

Posts: 1680 | From: OSC Luxembourg | Registered: Nov 98 | IP: Logged

Panos
First Class Passenger
Member # 1022

posted 05-09-2005 05:29 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Patrick:
The AUSONIA-name is actually the same, only the U was changed from a V. Whe I cruised on her in Grimaldi-times, her name was written AVSONIA, the latin version.
Louis changed the V in a U when they took her over.
Otherwise, her name remained the same.
Patrick

That is 100% correct.

I had a cruise on her during 2001 and the ship name was AVSONIA.

I believe the small letter change happened when the ship was refurbished before her charter with First Choice.

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

elad
First Class Passenger
Member # 5150

posted 05-10-2005 12:24 PM

quote:
I believe the red "sun" is the new livery.

yes but its kind of an old-new livery cause tha sun
allways been there above the L

Elad

Posts: 747 | From: israel | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

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