Cruise & Maritime Voyages acquires 600-passenger Astor

By Cruise Adviser On Dec 19, 2014 0

Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has acquired the 600-passenger ship Astor.

The cruise line has already been chartering the ship from the UK to Fremantle (Perth), and will again sail the vessel to Australia for its 2015-16 season.

The 21,000 tonne ship, which was built in 1986, has been bought from bankrupt German owner, Premicon Hochseekreuzfahrt.

Christian Verhounig, chief executive and chairman of CMV, said: “The acquisition of the Astor is another important milestone in the strategic development of the group’s presence in the international markets.

“Astor has a fine pedigree and provides an important smaller ship premium option within our cruise portfolio,”

CMV’s commercial director, Chris Coates, said: “Astor has added 22,000 passengers to our global carryings and since her introduction has proved a firm favourite with high levels of customer satisfaction and repeat business being achieved.

“Next year we have programmed a special eight-night ex-London Tilbury round Britain cruise before Astor starts her German market season and forward booking levels are very encouraging”.