NEWS SPECIAL REPORT


CMV eyes C


ruise & Maritime Voyages is looking to buy three vessels to add to its six-ship fleet over


the next two years. Two of the new vessels would serve


the UK market, with the third aimed at the German market. “Two of the vessels will launch in 2020 – one for the UK and another for the German market – and one will come in 2021, also for the UK,” said Christian Verhounig, the line’s chief executive and chairman. Hinting that an announcement


would be made by the end of July, he said the first of the new ships would start sailing from 15 UK ports from May next year. Verhounig said the vessel would


have the same capacity as CMV’s 775-cabin Columbus, although he said that vessel never sailed at full capacity in order to give guests more space. Speaking in Tilbury, Verhounig also


revealed CMV’s 2019 programme was sold out and that its 2020 range was 40% sold. Te line’s winter 2021 programme went on sale last week. “Over the last 10 years, we have


new ships


Cruise & Maritime Voyages reveals plan to buy three vessels by 2021 as V


asco da Gama calls at Tilbury for the first time. Harry Kemble reports


had to launch our new programmes earlier due to demand. We need new ships,” he said. “We are in a very specific niche.


We are for the silver cruiser and the international market. We have smaller ships that can get into smaller ports.” Recalling last summer’s heatwave,


Verhounig added that the line benefited from its ships sailing ex-UK itineraries north towards destinations in Greenland and Iceland rather than to southern Europe. “Our passengers were quite happy to get away from the heatwave,” he said.


COLUMBUS


Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Columbus will return to service on Saturday after striking “a foreign object” near Amsterdam. The incident, on May 31,


forced the line to cut short a 10-night British Isles Discovery Cruise from London Tilbury. Chief executive and chairman


Christian Verhounig said the ship was undergoing repairs in dry dock. Columbus is due to sail a


12-night Iceland & Northern Isles itinerary from Tilbury on Saturday, as long as “the repairs all go to plan”, he added. Passengers affected by the


cancelled sailing were offered full refunds and a free future sailing. Verhounig said: “Our


[Columbus] passengers continued to enjoy their time on board, were kept fully updated throughout and were repatriated quickly and efficiently. “I have nothing but praise and


gratitude to our deck and engine teams that found the fault quickly. “Our teams ensured our


passengers still had a great time.” Left and above:


Vasco de Gama and crew members.


Far left: Christian Verhounig


travelweekly.co.uk 13 JUNE 2019 15

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