The 63,786gt vessel will become CMV’s new flagship after leaving the P&O Cruises Australia fleet
By
Rebecca Gibson |
British-based operator Cruise & Maritime Voyages is to take ownership of Pacific Pearl when she leaves the P&O Cruises Australia fleet in April 2017.
First christened by actress Audrey Hepburn on 23 March 1989, the 63,786gt vessel will become CMV’s new flagship and be relaunched as Columbus on 8 June 2017 before beginning her inaugural voyage on 9 June. Prior to her relaunch, she will undergo refit and relivery works in Singapore to ensure her interiors reflect CMV’s explorer theme.
Columbus, which can accommodate 1,400 passengers, will be dedicated to the UK cruise market and homeport year-round from London Tilbury. Although her voyages will be targeted to the adult-only (16 years plus) market, she will operate two summer holiday sailings for all age groups in August 2017.
“We are really pleased to welcome this fine ship to our fleet which we believe will be very well suited to our core British market who appreciate and value the many benefits of cruising on smaller to mid-sized more traditional vessels of this type,” said Chris Coates, CMV’s commercial director. “The introduction of Columbus and her past association and popularity with the British cruise market spanning 13 years, will increase 2017 UK bed night capacity by 25% to 95,000 passengers. Having already sold over 85% of capacity for 2016 and with 17,000 people turning 50 every week in the UK, we remain confident that Columbus will satisfy the growing demand for our product.”
Columbus will operate alongside the line’s current flagship, the 1,300-guest Magellan, and the 800-passenger Marco Polo, 600-guest Astor and 550-passenger Astoria.
“The successful introduction of Magellan in 2015 has encouraged our group to accelerate its mid-term growth plans and the addition of Columbus to the fleet in 2017 is another important milestone in achieving our longer term growth objectives,” said Christian Verhounig, CEO and chairman of CMV. “The strategic development of the group’s presence in the UK and wider international markets will increase our overall capacity to 125,000 passengers in 2017.”