Louis Majesty on her way to Europe

Louis cruise Line’s newest vessel, Louis Majesty, is on her way to Europe from the US to start her new life with the Cypriot cruise line.  Bought from Malaysia’s Star Cruises, Louis Majesty is the former NCL operated Norwegian Majesty and following a brief period of routine maintenance and re-painting, will enter service for Louis on 4 December.  The inaugural cruise is a 16-day Canary Islands voyage from Genoa, with calls at Marseille, Gibraltar, Funchal, La Palma, Tenerife, La Gomera, El Hierro, Las Palmas, Lanzarote, Casablanca, Malaga, Almeria, Alicante and Barcelona.

Following her maiden cruise for Louis, Louis Majesty will then undertake a six-day Christmas cruise to ports in France, Spain, Tunisia, Malta and Italy, followed by an eight-day New Year’s. Early 2010 will see the 1,790 passenger capacity vessel undertake a series of eight-day cruises to Morocco & Spain, Tunis, Libya and Malta and the Iberian Coasts, as well as 12-day voyages to the Canaries, Morocco and Spain, as well as 12-day cruises to the Eastern Mediterranean.

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Louis launches Indian cruise venture

Cyprus-based cruise line Louis is to launch a new operation in India from December, targeting the potentially lucrative subcontinent cruise market. Louis Cruises India will operate the 1,050 passenger capacity Aquamarine from the south western port of Kochi, in a joint venture with Kerala Tourism. The 1971-built vessel will operate one-day and three-day cruises from December 2009 through to May 2010, offering itineraries between Kochi and the Maldives, as well as Kochi and Sri Lanka, in addition to a one-night sailing. Sphere: Related Content

Brazilian charter for Orient Queen

Louis Cruise Lines’ 1968-built Orient Queen has been chartered for a four month period from November this year by Brazil’s largest cruise and tour operator Agencia de Viagens CVC Tur. The former Israeli owned vessel will operate a series of cruise from the Brazilian port of Recife. Sphere: Related Content

Louis announces itineraries for Louis Majesty

Louis Majesty, Louis Cruise Line’s newest ship will initially undertake Coral’s Mediterranean itineraries from Genoa and Marseille when she enters service on 4 December 2009, through to 3 January 2010. She will then start her own Mediterranean schedule from these two ports.

Currently sailing as NCL’s Norwegian Majesty, the 1,790 passenger capacity vessel was bought from parent Star Cruises in July 2008 and then chartered back to NCL until the latter part of this year. 

Commenting on the imminent arrival of Louis Majesty, Costakis Loizou, Louis Group’s Executive Chairman said: ‘Louis Majesty’s acquisition and imminent commencement of her cruise programme under the own brand operations form yet another solid step in materialising the company’s policy for the continuous upgrade of its products and services.’

The Louis fleet comprises 12 vessels sailing from the Mediterranean ports of Piraeus, Genoa, Marseille and Limassol. Three vessels are currently on charter to the UK’s Thomson Cruises. Sphere: Related Content

Costa Europa sold to TUI

We have been reliably informed that TUI Thomson have purchased the Costa Europa. This is a strategic move by TUI Thomson to purchase a vessel rather than charter. It was interesting to see that we can assume TUI Thomson will reject the possibility of chartering the Norwegian Majesty with Louis Cruises.

The Costa Europa is a sophisticated cruise ship that reflects the style and atmosphere of continental Europe and has enjoyed a great deal of popularity amongst Costa Crociere passengers. 

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Louis Cruises Charter vessels to the Italian Government for G8

We have received reports from Cyprus that Louis Cruises have agreed to Charter 2 of its vessels, namely the Orient Queen (former Bolero) and Aquamarine (combined approx. lower berth capacity of 2000) to the Italian Government with the specific purpose of utilizing them as floating Hotels to house participants of the G8 summit that will be held on the luxurious Island of Sardinia between 3rd and 13th of July 09. 

The concept of chartering cruise ships as floating Hotels for the G8 summit in a secure port area, was originally masterminded by George Poulides, the former Chairman of Festival Cruises, who chartered 3 vessels to the Italian Government in 2001 for the G8 summit held in Genoa that was plagued by riots, though the security and service given to the delegations and press was considered successful. 

It seems no strange coincidence that the President of Italy in 2001 was Silvio Berlusconi, who by a twist of Italian Politics is still President today.

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Louis to review cruise routes following revenue drop

Cyprus-based cruise ship and hotel operator Louis is to review its cruise routes following the Group dropping into the red during the first nine months of 2008. Cruises account for 72% of the Group’s revenue.

Louis attributes the weaker cruise performance to reduced activity in the winter period, giving fewer ships and passengers, and the negative affect of weaker rates of the $ and the $ versus the €. Around 60% of all Louis’ passengers for cruises out of Piraeus come from the US. Sphere: Related Content