Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), the UK based cruise operator, says it will introduce the 550 passenger classic cruise ship Azores to their fleet in 2015.
“Azores will replace Discovery as CMV’s second ex-UK cruise vessel operating alongside Marco Polo and will also be dedicated to the British and English speaking markets and positioned as an adult only product (16 years plus). Azores will operate year round sailings commencing operations from Bristol Avonmouth on 26th January 2015 with a 30 night CMV maiden voyage to the West Indies,” the company said in a statement.
Discovery that was built in 1971 will be sold by its owner, All Leisure Group, which has operated the ship jointly with CMV in the recent past. Azores became available for CMV following the collapse of German operator Ambiente Kreuzfahrten that had chartered it, earlier this year.
Azores was built in 1948 as Stockholm of the now defunct Swedish America Line. Sold to the then East Germany in 1959, it traded as Volkerfreundschaft until the early 1980s. The ship was completely rebuilt in Italy in 1994, when it entered service as Italia Prima.
“Azores will also be sailing from Hull and London Tilbury with programme highlights including; the Solar Eclipse & Northern Lights, Seville Fiesta, Summertime Gardens & Medieval Cities and a Scottish themed Edinburgh Festival cruise, plus all the perennial favourites, CMV said.
The Azores has been chartered from Lisbon based, Portuscale Cruises on a long term basis. All crewing and ship management services will be handled directly by CMV in line with the services provided by Marco Polo and Astor.
Azores is a classic ship with a traditional wrap around wooden promenade deck and a wide range of well appointed and inviting lounges and homely retreats. These include an impressive main show lounge, an auditorium, nightclub, casino, a selection of bars and lounges, two dining venues and a stunning marbled reception. 85% of her 277 cabins have an ocean view and almost 20% are of a de-luxe standard including nine balcony suites. All cabins also have a bath tub and mini bar facility.
Chris Coates, Commercial Director of CMV commented, “Azores is an excellent, upgraded addition to our cruise fleet and has been affectionately and very well maintained by her Owners. We are confident that Azores will prove to be a ‘real winner’ with our dedicated growing number of loyal customers and will also attract new clients seeking smaller ship alternatives and regional ex-UK no fly cruise options”.
Rui Alegre, Chief Executive Officer of Lisbon based Portuscale Cruises added, “I’m a strong believer in developing close and long term business partnerships. I’m very pleased to have concluded a charter with CMV and look forward to working closely with their team in successfully establishing Azores on to the British market. Azores is a beautiful ship and has been operating very well in achieving high levels of customer satisfaction. I am proud that she will be carrying CMV passengers next year and for many years to come.”
Full details of CMV’s new ship Azores’ programme alongside Marco Polo and Astor will be unveiled on Tuesday 1 July 2014 when a 2015 first edition preview brochure will be released featuring a cruise collection of over 50 sailings through until October 2015.
