Cruise Talk: saw the CALYPSO and APOLLON laid up at Piraeus port

Cruise Talk

Cruise News

Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.

>>> Reader Reviews
>>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery
>>> Join Our Cruise Club.

Latest News...Disney Cruise Line announced today that the honorary role of "godparent" for its new ship, the Disney Treasure, will be held by The Walt Disney Company cast, crew, Imagineers and employees around the world. The profound declaration is a heartfelt tribute to the more than 200,000 dreamers and doers who make every Disney entertainment, vacation and at-home experience possible. Disney Cruise Line is proud to celebrate...

Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line is adding to its line-up of 2026/27 deployment with sailings from New York City on Carnival Venezia, and more Long Beach sailings on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Radiance. “Our two Carnival Fun Italian Style ships offer great options from the east and west coasts, conveniently connecting New York and Long Beach to popular destinations, while delivering unique experiences on board...

Latest News...Vacationers are in for more ways to make memories across Royal Caribbean’s latest combination of tropical and Northeast 2026-27 getaways. The lineup of 12 Royal Caribbean ships rounds out a variety of adventures across Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and the Northeast for every type of family and vacationer to get away any time of year. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members...

More Cruise News...

my profile | register | search | faq | forum home

»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » saw the CALYPSO and APOLLON laid up at Piraeus port

UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!

Author

Topic: saw the CALYPSO and APOLLON laid up at Piraeus port

Patrick
First Class Passenger
Member # 364

posted 04-30-2000 03:58 PM

During my cruise with the ASTOR in the last 2 weeks, we reached Piraeus on the 19th April and I saw the CALYPSO and the APOLLON which were laid up at some old docks on the left-hand-side when your enter Pireaus port.
The APOLLON which has been completely empty, seems either to undergo soon some major refurbishment works or will be town like the OCEAN EXPLORER I to Eleusis Bay soon. I´m sorry to not have been able to find out more information about what will happen with this ship.
The CALYPSO of Jewel Cruises (ex REGENT JEWEL), which had been chartered to Transocean Tours for several years, is now in poor conditions. It has been arrested with chaines to the pier and shows already some major rusting on the hull. Because it was raining that day, the ship looked really sad. Apart from the 3 security guys and the dog who are surviving the gangway, there is no more life inside this former party liner.
When we left Piraeus with the ASTOR, we had the permission to greet the CALYPSO with the horn when we passed along and so we did. Our captain Ivan Shramko, who also was captain of the CALYPSO once, gave 3 signs and we were waiting for the answer, but there was none. To save the situation, the pilot-boat which was next to us answered instead.
It was really sad to see this nice little vessel without any life at this pier.
I remember, when the ASTOR entered Naples and greeted the ODESSA which is arrested there, the Ukrainian security guys did answer back and it was a nice event.
The CALYPSO would still sail if not an American operator, who wanted to subcharter the ship from Transocean Tours, did not pay it´s first rate. To avoid from enormous costs which would have come up if Transocean Tours had created new programs and itineraries in such a short time to keep the ship in service, they decided to cancel their charter with the owner.

Posts: 1680 | From: OSC Luxembourg | Registered: Nov 98 | IP: Logged

Aussie1
First Class Passenger
Member # 25

posted 04-30-2000 07:06 PM

The Apollon is the former Mardi Gras, Carnival Cruises first ever ship. For the last two summers she has been chartered to Direct Cruises and has run cruises from Britain. She is shortly due to start her third summer season with them and is kept in very good condition. Her interiors still retain much of the gracious wood panelling dating from the days she was built for Atlantic servuve as the Empress of Canada.

Posts: 493 | From: Sydney,NSW, Australia | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

Grant
First Class Passenger
Member # 1000

posted 04-30-2000 11:03 PM

I seem to recall that Direct Cruises has cancelled the program for this summer. Anyone heard if this is true? Perhaps the Airtours influence is now showing up.

Posts: 834 | From: Victoria, BC, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 05-01-2000 01:46 PM

I am not sure if Direct are keeping there cruise program. From what I know they were only popular really for people in the UK who didn't like to fly and wanted a cheap cruise, and now that Airtours have based Sundream in Southapmton, i think they may have pulled out of the market.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Johan C
First Class Passenger
Member # 1201

posted 05-01-2000 05:12 PM

I was two times in pireaus the last year.
The first time I visited this port on board the Pacificic Princess october 1999 (Good food but very expensive drinks and bad accomodation on board the ship). the second time was march 2000 on board the MSC Monterey (splendid price/quality).
On both visits the Calypso was laid up at the same position. I think she is there for some time already.
The Apollon looked quite good in October and she still does, but she has moved to the other site of the port next to the calypso

Posts: 256 | From: Ghent, historic city in Belgium | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 07-02-2000 12:22 PM

Isn't Piraeus the port for visiting Athens? I am calling ther at the start of August on the Seawing, and was wondering what else there is to see in the port.

Thanks,
Paddy.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

vulcania
First Class Passenger
Member # 822

posted 07-02-2000 01:41 PM

according to a friend of mine who was asked to become her Master, the APOLLON will remain tied up at Piraeus until September. Should he take the job, he would stay in the idle ship and then transfer to the JASON, which will soon be returning to service.

Posts: 182 | From: Baltimore, MD USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

AJL
First Class Passenger
Member # 956

posted 07-03-2000 05:33 PM

I'll be in Piraeus in 5 days... and I'm very anxious to see all those Greek ships that greet the port! My sister was there about 3 months ago, and she took a photo of Calypso for me. But didn't Louis just bought the Calypso or have I understood it all wrong?

Regards AJL

Posts: 710 | From: Helsinki, Finland (birth place of Nokia + many ships) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Brenda
First Class Passenger
Member # 1377

posted 07-03-2000 05:33 PM

Are we talking about the APOLLO here or some other ship called the APOLLON? The Apollo belongs ot did belong to Direct Cruises, which has been sold and taken over by Airtours. I know that Airtours (Direct Cruises) no longer have the Apollo or the Edinburgh Castle (recently renamed The Big Red Boat 4). Thank God they got rid of them. Everytime both of these ships sailed there were major problems on board. If it was'nt a fire, it was the plumbing, the air conditioning, the accommodation, which was appalling, and even Legionnaires Disease. When will these cruise lines properly maintain these older ships, instead of ruining peoples holidays and even their lives. These companys need to plough some of their profits into these ships instead of buying up smaller companys and thereby giving us as consumers, less choice of who we sail with.
Comments please.

Posts: 52 | From: UK | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 07-03-2000 06:28 PM

Brenda, I know how you feel. The Apollon is Direct's Apollo. I think they just marketed it under a different name.

Paddy.

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Panos
First Class Passenger
Member # 1022

posted 07-04-2000 06:44 AM

The Calypso will undergo some essential refurbishment and come to Cyprus from where she will perform 2-day cruises to Rhodes and 5-day cruises to several Greek islands.
The first cruise is on 21/07/00 from Limassol.

Posts: 443 | From: Cyprus | Registered: Jan 2000 | IP: Logged

All times are ET (US)

Ultimate Bulletin Board^TM 6.1.0.3

VACATION & CRUISE SPECIALS

Check out these great deals from CruisePage.com

Royal Caribbean - Bahamas Getaway from $129 per person

Description: Experience the beautiful ports of Nassau and Royal Caribbean's private island - CocoCay on a 3-night Weekend Getaway to the Bahamas. Absorb everything island life has to offer as you snorkel with the stingrays, parasail above the serene blue waters and walk the endless white sand beaches. From Miami.

Carnival - 4-Day Bahamas from $229 per person

Description: Enjoy a wonderful 3 Day cruise to the fun-loving playground of Nassau, Bahamas. Discover Nassau, the capital city as well as the cultural, commercial and financial heart of the Bahamas. Meet the Atlantic Southern Stingrays, the guardians of Blackbeard's treasure.

NCL - Bermuda - 7 Day from $499 per person

Description: What a charming little chain of islands. Walk on pink sand beaches. Swim and snorkel in turquoise seas. Take in the historical sights. They're stoically British and very quaint. Or explore the coral reefs. You can get to them by boat or propelled by fins. You pick. Freestyle Cruising doesn't tell you where to go or what to do. Sure, you can plan ahead, or decide once onboard. After all, it's your vacation. There are no deadlines or must do's.

Holland America - Eastern Caribbean from From $599 per person

Description: White sand, black sand, talcum soft or shell strewn, the beaches of the Eastern Caribbean invite you to swim, snorkel or simply relax. For shoppers, there's duty-free St. Thomas, the Straw Market in Nassau, French perfume and Dutch chocolates on St. Maarten. For history buffs, the fascinating fusion of Caribbean, Latin and European cultures. For everyone, a day spent on HAL's award winning private island Half Moon Cay.

Celebrity - 7-Night Western Mediterranean from $549 per person

Description: For centuries people have traveled to Europe to see magnificent ruins, art treasures and natural wonders. And the best way to do so is by cruise ship. Think of it - you pack and unpack only once. No wasted time searching for hotels and negotiating train stations. Instead, you arrive at romantic ports of call relaxed, refreshed and ready to take on the world.

Holland America - Alaska from From $499 per person

Description: Sail between Vancouver and Seward, departing Sundays on the ms Statendam or ms Volendam and enjoy towering mountains, actively calving glaciers and pristine wildlife habitat. Glacier Bay and College Fjord offer two completely different glacier-viewing experiences.

More Vacation & Cruise Specials...