FORT LAUDERDALE — Cruise Operator Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) is adding Grand Holiday from Costa Crociere to the CMV fleet, commencing operations under the CMV livery in spring 2015.
She will be re-named Magellan and at 46,052 tons will carry about 1,250 passengers and become the new flagship of the CMV ocean fleet operating as an adult-only (16 years plus) ship alongside Marco Polo (800pax), Astor (600pax) and Azores (550pax).
John Dennis, Vice President Sales and Marketing CMV USA, commented, “We are delighted to have secured this excellent addition to our fleet which we believe will be very well suited to our U.S. and Canadian guests sailing from the UK throughout Northern Europe. The introduction of Magellan will increase capacity by 40% increasing carryings up to 74,000 passengers. Having already sold 65% of capacity for next year we remain confident that Magellan will help satisfy the growing demand for our product”.
Christian Verhounig, CEO and Chairman of CMV, said, “The introduction of Magellan to our growing ocean fleet is another important milestone in the expansion and strategic development of the group’s presence in the UK and wider international markets which will increase overall capacity to 115,000 passengers. The CMV brand is now creating much wider recognition and we remain confident that our medium to longer term growth objectives will be achieved”.
A new 2015 special launch edition brochure was released earlier this month detailing Magellan’s inaugural CMV summer 2015 and winter 2015-16 program. Special introductory fares with savings of up to 50% plus a 25% single supplement deal for the solos market will be on offer to launch the program. The maiden CMV voyage will be a 12-night cruise to Iceland and the Faroes for the Solar Eclipse and Northern Lights sailing from London Tilbury on Sunday March 15, 2015. She will also be sailing from Newcastle Tyne.
Other program changes include an Azores Liverpool based summer season and an 11-night Autumn Mediterranean cruise series from Rome and Venice and a second Marco Polo 34-night Autumn Commemorative voyage to Canada. Magellan will be cruising to the Amazon in winter 2016 while Marco Polo will embark on a new 54-night voyage to Brazil, Argentina & Chile and Tierra del Fuego.
