By
Rebecca Gibson |
Paul Gauguin Cruises’ former Tere Moana is to undergo a US$5 million refit this May before making her debut as Clio for Grand Circle Cruise Line.
The 89-passenger vessel will have 45 outside-facing cabins, nine of which feature a balcony, as well as a dining room, a lounge and bar area, an indoor/outdoor veranda, a Sun Deck, a Sky Deck with whirlpool, a library, and a shop. Complementary wifi will be available throughout the ship.
“American boomers and seniors are increasingly interested in travelling by small ships – and in even smaller groups,” said Alan Lewis, chairman of Grand Circle Cruise Line. “We define small ships as those with 150 or fewer passengers, and the trend we’re seeing is very different from the industry’s move to bigger and bigger ships. To create even smaller groups of travellers, we assign our local programme directors to no more than 25 travellers, which creates a more intimate experience and more easily fosters engagement with local people, cultures and their ways of life. We are proud to introduce the Clio, a four-star experience at a three-star price and the best value in the industry.”
M/V Clio will sail four European itineraries following her debut, including the line’s 15-day ‘Maritime Jewels of the British Isles & Ireland’ and 18-day ‘Spain’s Northern Coast and the Bay of Biscay’ itineraries. She will also offer two new itineraries.
This August and September, the ship will sail the new ‘Coastal Charms of England, Wales, Ireland & Scotland’ itinerary, which includes ten nights onboard the ship, two in a London hotel and one in Edinburgh, Scotland. Port of call include London, Poole, Falmouth in England; Fishguard and Holyhead, Wales; Dublin, Ireland; Isle of Man; and Islay, Oban, Arran, Glasgow and Edinburgh; Scotland. The itinerary also include 11 exclusive tours, all with personal headsets.
The other new itinerary – Voyage to Iberia: Lisbon to Barcelona – takes guests to Lisbon and Portimao, Portugal; and Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, Cartagena, Valencia, Mallorca, Menorca and Barcelona in Spain. Offered from October to December, the cruise starts with a night in Lisbon, followed by 11 nights onboard Clio. Tours include Lisbon, Sagres, Lagos, Seville, Cordoba, Malaga, an Andalusian bull ranch, Ronda, Cartagena, Valencia, Mallorca, Menorca, and Barcelona.
Grand Circle Cruise Line also operates Corinthian, Artemis, Arethusa and Athena.