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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen
Category: More News More News
Published: 11 April 2017 11 April 2017

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the UK based destinational cruise line, said will add a further seven UK sailings on board the 550 passenger Astoria from the South coast Port of Poole and from Portsmouth International Port for a late summer and autumn 2018 programme featuring ten cruising holiday options.

CMV had intended to terminate the charter of Astoria, which ws built as Stockholm in 1948 and rebuilt with e.g. new engines and interior in 1994 after the end of this season, but it has changed its mind and will keep operating the Portuguese owned and flagged ship.

Chris Coates, Commercial Director at CMV said “our strategic focus is to continue broadening the range of regional programmes and sailings from around the British Isles and we are delighted to add the south coast ports of Poole and Portsmouth to our portfolio. Local departures, convenience and bringing cruising closer to home is proving a big hit with our customer base and we now offer the most comprehensive choice of 16 different departure port options across the British Isles.”

“Market demand from the southern counties has steadily increased in recent years and this new initiative is also responding to positive regional growth”.  

CMV has scheduled three departures from the Port of Poole plus two open jaw cruise combination options with return coach transfer options back from Portsmouth to Poole.

The programme for Poole includes:

31 August 2018 for a three nights weekend cruise to Rouen in France with an exciting navigation of the River Seine and the chance to watch the Bournemouth International Air Show*,

 

3 September for 12 nights cruise on a Grand British Isles Discovery voyage visiting 10 ports of call from £884pp, and Saturday,

 

15 September for a special overnight Captain’s Gala Cruise to Portsmouth including a circumnavigation of the Isle of Wight. Fares start from £75pp.

 

From Portsmouth, Astoria will operate four  cruises.

 

16 September for 9 nights to the Norwegian fjords from £634pp,

 

25 September for 13 nights to the Baltic cities & St Petersburg from £869pp, 8 October for a 9 night European rivers & canals cruise from £599pp,

 

17 October for 14 nights Astoria goes in search of the Northern Lights in northern Norway from £929pp.

 

CMV also has introduced a new Pullman Express Coach Service to Poole and Portsmouth offering 30 different regional pick ups across Dorset, Hampshire & Sussex from Lyme Regis in the west right along the coast to Hastings in the east. Also included is a service from London Victoria. Prices start from just £20pp.

On site port parking conveniently adjacent to the cruise terminals is also at both ports from £11 per night.

CMV’s new 3,500 passenger capacity south coast programme goes on sale on Wednesday 12 April 2017 with ‘Buy one get one Free” Early Booking Fares valid until Friday 30 June 2017, the company said in a statement.