Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.
>>> Reader Reviews >>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery >>> Join Our Cruise Club.
Latest News...Norwegian Cruise Line today announced that Norwegian Epic and NCL's Pride of America will both undergo revitalization projects just in time for the 2025 summer travel season. Designed to give guests MORE to do and MORE to enjoy with the freedom and flexibility to design their very best vacation, the new enhancements range from the addition of a reimagined water park for children, the expansion of the adults-only...
Latest News...Lindblad Expeditions, the pioneer of modern expedition cruising, and Transcend Cruises today announced a multi-year charter agreement that will reframe European river cruising for discerning travelers looking to experience the continent's most iconic waterways like a true explorer.The initial agreement with Transcend Cruises will run through at least 2028, and will..
Latest News...Royal Caribbean is setting both the stage and the table with a closer look at its all-encompassing lineup of show-stopping entertainment and unmatched dining experiences to shine on Star of the Seas. Debuting in August 2025 from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, the next combination of the best of every vacation is set to bring to life experiences for all ages from top-notch entertainment,...
According to Mr. Koiliaris, Louis will replace more cruise ships in the next few years. “We intend to replace Aegean II, which was constructed in 1957, Princessa Marissa of 1966 and Serenade of 1957. These cruise ships are not in line with the new Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) Regulations of 2010 and must be replaced”, he added.
Speaking to StockWatch, Louis Finance Director, Costas Hadjimarcos confirmed the statements. “Louis aims to sell the three cruise ships before the end of 2008. We are currently having contacts with several interested parties. The ships will be possibly replaced with newly-fangled ships”, he noted.
Could this be the Costa Marina which they are interested in.
She came in to service about 1990 and is advertised for sale on some websites.
Neil ( Bob )
[ 08-17-2007: Message edited by: Neil Whitmore ( Bob ) ]
However, I bet that once newer ships are purchased, the older ones currently sailing from Piraeus will move to Cyprus which is not considered to be as premium market as the Piraeus one.
Selling the Princessa Marissa will also be a significant moment in the history of Louis as this ship was the very first ship of the company and its second name (Marissa) is the name of the company owner's daughter.
With the exceptions of Princessa Marissa, Serenade and Ausonia, there is still The Emerald witch was also constructed in 1957, Sapphire witch was constructed in 1967, and Calypso witch was also constructed in 1967.
[ 08-19-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]
Carnival's CELEBRATION is also available as she is being replaced at Jacksonville by the larger FASCINATION and Carnival have not said what plans they have for CELEBRATION after April! The timing would seem right and her passenger capacity is 1,486 - almost bang on target!
So, there's another potential scenario - HOLIDAY to Iberojet and CELEBRATION to Louis.
What fun this speculation all is!
Tony
Given that 3 ships are required for Cyprus operations (at least for the 3 summer months), I would expect that 1-2 older ships will leave Piraeus and come back to Limassol.
ORIENT QUEEN will assume 10 and 11 day cruises from Marseille/Genoa, replacing SAPPHIRE, which is returning to Cyprus, presumably to replace either SERENADE or PRINCESA MARISSA. This leaves one Cyprus ship to be replaced as AEGEAN TWO will probably not be reactivated after this season is over.
AQUAMARINE (exARIELLE) will join PERLA on 3 and 4 day cruises from Piraeus, while CRISTAL will sail 7 day cruises.
CORAL will probably remain on its present Western Med itinerary, while THE EMERALD, THE CALYPSO, THOMSON SPIRIT and THOMSON DESTINY will continue with Thomson.
This means that if they buy a new ship, it will probably go to Piraeus and free PERLA to move to Cyprus.
RUBY would make an excellent addition to the Louis fleet, but she is already committed by her owners, Majestic Cruise Lines, to a 3 and 4 day programme from Piraeus next summer as OCEAN COUNTESS, under the Monarch Classic Cruises banner. See their website at http://www.mccruises.gr/index.asp?a_id=160
Mind you, in this business, nothing is set in tablets of stone!
quote:Originally posted by ahrpd:AQUAMARINE (exARIELLE) will join PERLA on 3 and 4 day cruises from Piraeus, while CRISTAL will sail 7 day cruises.
You mentioned Carnival's CELEBRATION is another possibility. My money is on this as Carnival has not announced further deployment on her. Writing is on the wall that she will leave the CCL fleet or corporate-wide fleet altogether. (I can't imagine the Farcus interiors are going worldwide!)
Louis announced on 19/06/2007 the termination of the Arrielle charter:
Louis plc announces that it has reached an agreement with Tasmanico Trading Limited, charterer of cruise ship “Arielle” (ex-“Aquamarine”) for the termination of its charter by mutual consent from November 20, 2007.
This settlement falls under the Company’s strategy for an improvement and renewal of the quality of its product with departures from the ports of Limassol, Piraeus, Genoa and Marseille. As you already know, Louis Cruise Lines has adopted a dynamic development program in the past two years and has become one of the most important companies of the sector in Europe.
The above settlement is not expected to differentiate the financial results in the next few years, since the ship will be used by Louis Cruise Lines for its own itineraries with similar financial results as those of the charter.
Transocean cancelled the "Arielle" charter from 2008 onwards when they secured "Marco Polo" as a year-round ship.
Best,
Raoul
quote:I think Carnival Celebration might be going to P&O Australia just like her sister.
I doubt if Celebration is heading down under. Carnival is already upping capacity in Australia with Pacific Dawn (Regal Princess) coming in November and the permanent deployment of Sun Princess from this Christmas. Celebration would also be seen as a backward step feature-wise from these 2 newer ships.
I would guess Celebration is going to Spain as part of the new Iberojet joint venture. Holiday would also be a chance to join her there.
quote:Originally posted by Tom Burke:Aren't Louis as likely to look for old(er) ferries as for older cruise ships? Sea Diamond was a ferry previously, wasn't it?
But that's exactly what they said they won't be doing any more.
Apart from Cristal and Calypso which were rebuild almost from scratch, the only converted ferry still in the fleet is the Princessa Marissa which will be leaving the fleet sometime next year (according to Louis CEO).
[ 08-21-2007: Message edited by: Panos ]
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.1.0.3
More Vacation & Cruise Specials...