London-Calling

This is what Virgin Voyages 'Scarlet Lady' looks like, berthed in Portsmouth Harbour on Saturday 31/07/21, for her staycations:

I quite like the grey livery, do you?

I wonder if the images below, are actually of a concept of a family 'Playscape' that will feature onboard RCI's next class of ship, "Icon of the Seas"?

RCI are still very tight lipped.

A few weeks ago I was passing the Tilbury cruise terminal and saw Saga's "Spirit of Discovery" berthed there, in preparation for her first cruise.

She looked enormous, by Tilbury standards (although small by modern standards).

She was probably the first ship to use the Terminal, since CMV's "Columbus" was laid up there last hear, before scrapping.

Anyway, it is great to see a British ship on the move!

Images below:

57 minutes ago, richard_london said:

 

 

And they have an entry on Google Maps, which takes you to the old CMV offices in Purfleet.

 

Well that's where the customer database with all our personal details is!

The first thing Christian Verhounig (CMV CEO and Ambassador) was to but the datbase.

Personally i welcome a budget line to fill the CMV gap. I have found the experience similar to Olsen's , but considerably cheaper! (They are also rather like the old Thomson cruises).

Former Cruise &Maritime Voyages (CMV) bosses have reunited to launch Ambassador Cruise Line, a UK-based operator aimed at the over 50s market which plans to start sailing with one ship in April 2022. Ambassador’s management team includes chief executive Christian Verhounig, chief commercial officer Christopher Coates, chief information officer Gary Hides and chief financial officer Simon Weeks, who have all previously worked together at CMV before the line went into administration.

Ambassador will operate cruises on, formerly known as Pacific Dawn, P&O's Australia ship, which was set to become CMV’s flagship under the name Amy Johnson. The 1,400-passenger ship’ maiden voyage will be a “short-break cruise” out of Tilbury to Hamburg, Germany, starting on April 6 next year.

The ship’s debut full-year programme, running from April 2022 until May 2023, will include 33 sailings, calling at 88 ports across the Baltics, Greenland, the Arctic and Iceland.

(Images P&O Australia/CMV, Text: TrvaleWeekly)

Here are some interior renderings of the new ship, based on MSC Seaside's design:

Anyone excited?

The cruise ship Satoshi, which was destined for the scrapyard in Alang, has been resold to a new European company, whose management already has previous experience in the cruise industry. Satoshi is part of a class of two ships, the original Crown Princess and Regal Princess, one of which, the current Karnika, is already in the process of being dismantled on the aforementioned Alang beach. The last commercial operation of the current Satoshi, dates back to early 2020, as Pacific Dawn, by P&O Australia. She was going to be CMV's Amy Johnson and enter service in Spring, 2021, before the collapse.

(Cruise Industry News)

Some commentators are speculating that the ship has been purchased by CMV’s ex-boss, Christian Verhounig’s “CVI Group“. Christopher Coates and Simon Weeks were recorded at Companies House as being appointed Directors of CVI on 25 March. Both are ex-CMV management.  

Slide show:

Hi, here is a short slide-show of Firenze's public rooms, if you want an overview in two minutes.

Enjoy!

P&O Cruises Australia has announced the Pacific Aria has officially been sold, and will leave the fleet immediately, as opposed to her scheduled departure in early next year.

The ship was due to go to the British cruise brand ‘Cruise & Maritime Voyages’, in May 2021 to be renamed Ida Pfeiffer, in honour of the famous Austrian explorer. However following CMV’s collapse, Carnival Corporation has found a new buyer, the Greek ferry operator, Seajets, for the 1994 built, 55,819 gross tonne ship.

This is what Albatros's interiors look like.

Not so unlike Olsen's, in places:

Regards

26 minutes ago, showingdiva said:

 

Albatros - lowest public room ceilings I have ever seen on a cruise ship.  I could reach up and touch one of them, and I'm only 5'4"  !

 

Really?

Were they lower than Olsen's sisters?

Did you know that Fred. Olsen's Black Watch and Boudicca had a sister?

The Albatros will leave the Phoenix Reisen (German) fleet. The ship will now start a new life as a hotel vessel. Built in 1973, the 28, 518gt, 830 guest Albatros was originally launched as the Royal Viking Sea. She has had eight owners (including NCL and Star) and six names, in her 47 year career.
 

Albatros was one of three sisters: Star (1971), Sky (1973) and Sea (1973). As for her two sisters: Star is best know today as Fred. 

P&O and Cunard cruise ships have been seen of various UK coastal location, over the past few months. These are often places that you do NOT normally see cruise ship!

There is some speculation that new cruise start-up have purchased a HAL ship.

See the slide-show below: 

What do you think? Which HAL ship?

2 hours ago, Anton said:

I like how they always have a stock number as though buying a cruise ship is like picking up a set of brake rotors at the parts store.  "Yes, I'm interested in buying S2149."  "I'm sorry but we just sold the last one."

It could be like ordering a Chinese: I'll have a S2149, a S2436 and a portion of S3345!😀

Oh Yogimax, has it been on the cards then?

Looks like 'Majesty' is for sale.

See: https://wp.me/pfRKD-8Ab

Thanks Pensoncruiser. Have not cruised with them since Thomson Celebration 2008.

Thanks.  Is the entertainment mainly done by the onboard team?

How does Marella compare this Thomson Cruises.

I only cruised onboard Thomson Celebration, buy have been with many other lines since.

Hi team, is there any news or clues about Fred. losing two ships?

The ship is currently in the design phase.

It's funny some people complained about Thomson's little old ships, but now I miss them.  A lot of people said that they needed to modernize their fleet, which they are, but this changes the product into something else. As you say they have abandoned the UK ports.

However maybe they will be back to pick up some of the old CMV trade.

Maybe the CMV CEO will buy back/charter a couple of CMV ships and start over again!😊

1 hour ago, DM6045 said:

 

Friendliest passengers as well in my experience (being somewhat younger than most) me and my partner have had some rude and snotty remarks on Fred and P&O in the past. Most often Freds Passengers think i’m crew so I tell them i’m the fitness instructor (im a 20 something slightly overweight guy with purple hair, a very obvious limp and a walking stick) 😆

I'm mature now, but when I took my first Olsen cruise I was in my late 30's but still looked young-ish.

The lady at the check-in said to my wife and I, "are we crew"

Many of the passengers, at the time, were twice our age, although I do not have a problem with this. many of them had more get up and go than many youngsters.

I always enjoyed the CMV crowd.

have you ever tried Thomson cruises. They were similar to CMV.