Louis Hellenic Cruises - Greek Islands

[dougnewmanatsea]

So LOUIS will probably have the following

This makes sense. I had forgotten that they only had two, not three ships on the 3- and 4-day cruises (that is, that CORAL was on the 7-day run).

 

However, your scheme leaves PRINCESA MARISSA unemployed... I would not rule out seeing her used from Cyprus and seeing SERENADE retired as recent reports indicate that she is in rather poor condition.

[A Sixth?]

Seems that Louis is only showing 7 day cruises on the Perla fromn May 1st onward. They still list 3 and 4 days on the EMERALD but only through the end of April. After that they aren't showing any more 3 or 4 day'rs at all.

 

More evidence of the new ship? Hope so!

 

 

http://www.louiscruises.com/cruises_from_greece/cruises_from_greece_home.html

[grizzmemnoch]

I find that really odd and interesting. :D I'm booked to go on the Perla on May.8/06 for a 4 night cruise, at least that's the boat my travel agent said we are confirmed on. If my agent tells me somtheing has changed I'll post an update.

[dougnewmanatsea]

The fact that PERLA is listed for 7-night cruises seems to indicate that another ship will be taking over the 3- and 4-night itineraries. I would think that most likely this is BIRKA PRINCESS.

 

The current absense of 3- and 4-night cruises from the site is most likely just a case of the information for the new ship not having been loaded onto the site yet.

 

Incidentally, THE EMERALD (and yes, the "THE" is part of her proper name) is normally chartered during the summer season by Louis to the UK tour operator Thomson. Occasionally, they will run cruises at the beginning or end of the season (before or after the charter) on THE EMERALD or one of the other ships they charter to Thomson (THOMSON SPIRIT or THOMSON DESTINY) and market them under their own brand. It seems that this is the case with THE EMERALD this spring. My guess is that she will do the 3- and 4-day cruises until her charter season with Thomson begins, at which point BIRKA PRINCESS will take over... Thought that is just speculation on my part.

 

If any of our members are booked on departures that are currently scheduled for THE EMERALD, consider yourself lucky - she should be a much nicer ship than PERLA, and is very well regarded in the UK where she is normally marketed. If you do a Google search with the keywords Thomson and Emerald you should be able to find lots of good information since she is a very popular and well-known ship in the UK.

[e-cruiser]

Does anyone have an experience with Zeus Cruises? I'm looking into the Pantheon for a 7 day Greek Island Cruise.

[Hot Hockett]

Does anyone have an experience with Zeus Cruises? I'm looking into the Pantheon for a 7 day Greek Island Cruise.

 

i would check the zeus cruises thread... louis is probably not the place to be

 

Anyhow, if you remember my post, i said that we were on royal olympia and since that was bankrupt i didnt know what line we were on. that was january 5. our guide called the agency and she said that it would all be straightened out. once again, january 5. its now february 22. on the itenerary, it says Extend your stay for a three-day Royal Olympic cruise of the Greek islands. Ports include Kusadasi, Patmos, Rhodes and Mykonos. I dont know its all weird but does anyone know of another cruise line that does this? I figure its Louis Hellenistic and are you pretty sure we get the Birka Princess boat? Because i would much rather have that than the Perla boat. Its a bunch of teenage guys so we dont care about small rooms, we just want something to do without the boat sinking. Thanks

[Brownie14]

I feel like I'm late to this process, but I am already booked on a 4 night cruise in late May/early June and have been reading these boards about the Perla (the ship we are supposed to be on). I am worried about the ship - this is my first cruise. I am booked through Trafalgar Tours and am surprised that they would continue to use ships that so many people say are so bad. Does anyone have any better information on the possibility that a new ship will be taking over the 4 night cruises for the Perla?

[dgk_kos]

You will be on Birka Princess, with a different name for sure.

I think that Perla is a nice ship, but you have to know what to expect from a 30 year old ship like this.

So Perla will make the 7 day cruises and the new ship will make the 3 and 4 day ones.

I preffer the classic ships so according to my opinion Perla is more interesting than the new one.

[dougnewmanatsea]

I preffer the classic ships so according to my opinion Perla is more interesting than the new one.

I agree, she's not nearly as dull as BIRKA PRINCESS... But it really is a pity that today in the Greek Isles a ship like PERLA might be considered classic or interesting :( .

 

Alas, times change...

[A Sixth?]

Guess it's offical, I'll be amoungst the first on the new ship! :D

Louis Hellenic Cruises is proud to announce that the Cruise Vessel "Birka Princess" (MR) of 22.412 GRT will join its Beet in April 2006. The ship was built in Finland in 1986, to operate cruises in the Baltic and Scandinavia and underwent an extensive refurbishment at the cost of US$ 26M in Germany in 1999‑ She can accommodatc 1168 passengers in 584 double cabins with a total capacity of 1537 passengers and will be deployed out of Piraeus.

Die ship is technologically advanced and of high safety standards, including stabilizers, two bow thrusters, while with 7 catalyzers installed in 1999, is considered to be among the most environmcntally friendly cruise ships. She has a cruising speed of 18 knots and art interior design with all modern amenities, a comfortable lay out, modern and large meeting and conference facilities, several lounges and hats, 3 restaurants, casino, large shopping areas and even an in‑door swimming pool and spa center.

"The addition of the new cruise vessel is a big step ahead and enhances the commitment of Louis Hellenic Cruises in the Greek cruise market. It will further strengthen and consolidate rite already excellent relationships with rite International, US. & European based TO's and the Local Greek Agents who have strongly supported the effort of Louis Hellenic Cruises since its start up" staled George A. Stathopoulos, Managing Director of die Company. lie also added that, "More ships can be deployed if there is, mote demand."

The name of the new addition to the fleet will be announced shortly and is scheduled to operate 3 and 4 day tourer starting in April 2006 departing on Mondays and Fridays from poseur. The other ship of the company operating out of Piraeus is 'Perla" 17.04?_ CRT /395 cabins, 79(1 passengers in double cabins and a total capacity of 1095 baths, which will operate 7 day cruises departing every Friday from Piraeus. "Perla" and the New cruise ship are scheduled to operate until the end of (‑October and nod November respectively, offering a total weekly capacity of 4000 berths to the spectacular Hellcenic Aegean islands of Myconos, Santorini, Rhodes, (.acct and Patmos. Also calling at Kusadasi rite port of ancient Ephesus and at the historical City of' Istanhul. Louis Hellenic Cruises is known for its unique destination oriented programs, for the culturaland historical interest itineraries, its personal service and ships with an intimate atmosphere.

Piraeus

17th February 2006.

[herb]

well, that is exciting news. I'll be interested to hear whether the Birka Princess, or whatever new name it's given, will live up to what U.S. passengers expect on a cruise.

[A Sixth?]

well, that is exciting news. I'll be interested to hear whether the Birka Princess, or whatever new name it's given, will live up to what U.S. passengers expect on a cruise.

 

We'll see, it sure sounds like an improvement over the Perla. :)

[dougnewmanatsea]

I'll be interested to hear whether the Birka Princess, or whatever new name it's given, will live up to what U.S. passengers expect on a cruise.

Quite simply, it depends on what these passengers expect.

 

She is a much more modern ship than PERLA, but Louis will never be Royal Caribbean or Princess.

[Brownie14]

I'm not expecting Princess or Royal Caribbean, but I was hoping for clean and not falling apart. Some of the earlier posts on the Perla were scary. I am thrilled to be going to the Greek Islands and not planning on spending a lot of time on the ship. Lots to see, so little time. Now, this may not be the best venue for my next set of questions, but what's the dress code? I am assuming that it is casual. Will the man I'm traveling with need a jacket for dinner? I am such a cruise newby and I'm not getting a lot of answers from my travel agent.

[A Sixth?]

..... but what's the dress code? I am assuming that it is casual. Will the man I'm traveling with need a jacket for dinner? .....

 

I don't know, but I won't have a jacket and tie. The four day cruise is in the middle of a month packing around Greece, no way I'm lugging a suit around:eek: . Hope I am not alone:cool:

[grizzmemnoch]

:) Well it's official .... The Perla is out and were on the old "Birka Princess" which is now "Sea Diamond" .... for our May.8/06 sailing ... Just got the word from my TA.

[suziern]

This news makes me smile. I was just slightly worried about the Perla, even though I wasn't expecting more out of it than a ferry I can sleep on. The islands are my main focus, not the ship. However, since we'll be on a larger and more well appointed ship, I love to hear people's opinions of it when they return. We're sailing the last weekend of May. Thanks!:)

[A Sixth?]

But I found a link to a Sea Diamond web page already up and running.

 

This is so unexpected, I booked a January trip on the Crown Princess because it was new and the itinerary, yet I am almost as excited about being switched to the Sea Diamond for my next cruise even though she's really an older boat!

 

http://www.gate1travel.com/cruises/ships/louis_SeaDiamond.htm

[grizzmemnoch]

But I found a link to a Sea Diamond web page already up and running.

 

This is so unexpected, I booked a January trip on the Crown Princess because it was new and the itinerary, yet I am almost as excited about being switched to the Sea Diamond for my next cruise even though she's really an older boat!

 

http://www.gate1travel.com/cruises/ships/louis_SeaDiamond.htm

 

Yes it's the same boat. I have pictures of the cabins of the Birka and they are exact same ones on the web sit you listed. Here is the web site that I got the pictures of the Birka from it's not in English but you can view the pics .. www.ferryknowhow.info/detail_schiff.php?flag=kabinen&id=33 :)

[herb]

I'm surprised they didn't pick a more "Hellenic" name :D

 

Sea Diamond sounds like a Princess Cruise Ship.

 

Well, right now plans are for either Alaska or Greece in July 2007. I'll wait and see and be patient for the reviews to start flowing. Then I'll decide. I would like to go with a cruise/tour, since airfare is included in price. So far, gate1 and friendly planet are the only agencies that have updated their schedules. I checked homeric tours, tourlite int'l and they don't mention Sea Diamond....yet.

 

IF we decide to do this, I don't even know which cruise tour company to use. We've NEVER booked through a tour company. I guess all we can do is check the BBB, I wouldn't even know where to ask for advice on that!

[grizzmemnoch]

Does anyone have a deck plan of the Sea Diamond (a.k.a Birka Princess). I can find some pic's of the cabins but I've searched the internet and can't seem to find a deck plan?:confused:

[A Sixth?]

No deck plan for me either.

 

Maybe it's a bulk carrier.:D

[dougnewmanatsea]

There used to be a deck plan on the Birka Line site, but of course all the information on BIRKA PRINCESS is gone now. I can't seem to get it to load on The Internet Archive either.

 

Of course the cabin categories would be different from what Louis will have but at least it would give you an idea of what the ship is like.

 

That said, I'm sure Louis will have deck plans out shortly... They are usually pretty good at updating their web site.

[suziern]

Friendly Planet's website has both The Emerald and the Sea Princess listed now for their 3 night Aegean sailings. I e-mailed to inquire which ship we will be on for our May 26 sailing. They replied we will find out when we get our final documents. Hmmm, should be interesting to see. I guess Louis is using both at that time? Either that or Friendly Planet is contracted with the people who charter the Emerald?:confused:

[A Sixth?]

The Louis site show that the Emerald's last 3 or 4 day sailing will be from 28/04/06 to 01/05/06, and after that the Sea Diamond will take over 3 and 4 day Aegean itineraries.

 

http://www.louiscruises.com/cruises_from_greece/cruises_from_greece_home.html