By
Rebecca Gibson |
River cruise operator Haimark Line is to enter the ocean cruise market with a newly refurbished ship Saint Laurent in May 2015.
Formerly known as the Sea Voyager, the 220-passenger vessel has been leased from FleetPro Passenger Ship Management for five years. She will undergo a US$3.5 million interior refurbishment before joining the Haimark fleet to sail itineraries along the North Atlantic Coast and in South and Central America.
“We are extremely proud to unveil our first ocean going vessel and have already sold 50% of the 2015 departures,” said Tom Markwell, managing partner of sales and marketing, Haimark Line. “We are excited to provide travellers with more choices for small ship exploration in these regions and we have carefully planned itineraries that will excite, educate and enthuse our guests. The ship was designed to create a harmonious and balanced environment with its surroundings, creating tranquillity and comfort for travellers onboard.”
Saint Laurent will sail various Northern Atlantic itineraries, which feature calls at destinations in coastal New England and the Canadian Maritimes, as well as transits through the Bay of Fundy, the St Lawrence Seaway, Georgian Bay and the Five Great Lakes.
The vessel will provide a series of ten-day itineraries including a ‘Canada’s Atlantic Coast and the St Lawrence Seaway’ cruise, a ‘The Five Great Lakes – A Freshwater Paradise’ voyage and a ‘Georgian Bay and The Five Great Lakes’ trip. In addition, the ship will sail a 13-day ‘Historic Coastal America’ voyage that traverses the Atlantic Seaboard and features calls at many historic US ports.
During her South and Central America season, the ship will sail from Nassau in the Bahamas, to Cartagena in Columbia, as well as cruises from Cartagena to San Jose in California, and San Jose to Lima, Peru. In addition to sailing through the Panama Canal, the ship will call at two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Coiba Island and The Darian Jungle – enabling guests to enjoy land excursions in a fleet of newly purchased Zodiac Mock Fives. The shroex will be led an experienced expedition team.