- ANNOUNCEMENT -
9th December 2008 I
t is with great pride, that Modern Classic Cruises MC S.A. (MCC) and Golden Star Cruises, came to an agreement with Vision Cruises, for thedeployment of the luxurious M/V VISION STAR for the 2009 Aegean Cruise season.

The 400 cabin vessel, with its impressive features attached here below, willoperate as of March 9, 2009, 3 and 4 day cruises to the Greek Islands and Turkey, introducing a new eraof true quality cruising to this market.

Features
Gross Tonnage 19,093grt
Entered Service August 1992 / July 1995
Length 164m / 537 ft
Width 23m /74 ft
Average Cruising Speed (Knots) 17.5 Kn
Maximum Cruising Speed (Knots) 19 Kn Number of Cabins 400
Cabins (Outside View) 241
Cabins (Inside)159

Modern was Monarch Classic Cruises but their 2009 brochure identifies them as Med Classic Cruises (apparently because of a problem with Monarch Airlines). Now they have changed again to Modern Classic Cruises. They operated BLUE MONARCH and OCEAN COUNTESS this year - "Modern" would seem an inappropriate name with these vessels!

Golden Star is owned By Louis and operated THE AEGEAN PEARL this year.

VISION STAR is quite a dramatic leap forward for the Greek cruising scene and will be considerable competition for CRISTAL. What other changes will occur in this area now? Fascinating stuff!

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Originally posted by ahrpd:

VISION STAR is quite a dramatic leap forward for the Greek cruising scene and will be considerable competition for CRISTAL. What other changes will occur in this area now? Fascinating stuff!

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Originally posted by Patrick:
Interesting to see that the pirates of GSC are in action again next year.

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Originally posted by Patrick:
Hi there,

Golden Star Cruises (formerly Golden Sun Cruises - this year operated as Golden Pearl Cruises) is not owned by Louis! It is an independant company.
GSC uses to charter ships from either MCC or Louis every year since they lost AEGEAN I in a dispute with Louis and MCC some years ago.

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Hi Patrick

I beg to differ. Louis owns 100% of Golden Star. It kept the brand name and used PERLA as THE AEGEAN PEARL this past summer to keep its market share.

All the best

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Originally posted by locarno:
Since when did Clipper (ISP) sell the Clipper Jewel?

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Most of the Clipper ships are chartered out !

It is unusual for Louis Cruises to charter ships for themselves, or other companies they own, but they did do it when the Sea Diamond sunk.

This charter may have been extended as it was said it could take at least three months to sort out, but may be longer, as parts had to be made. !

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Originally posted by locarno:
Since when did Clipper (ISP) sell the Clipper Jewel?
thanksweb page

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Hi Locarno

SUPERSTAR GEMINI has not yet been renamed CLIPPER JEWEL and may not actually get that name after all. Star sold the ship to Clipper in September 2007 (who said they would rename it CLIPPER JEWEL) and chartered it back until this month, after which it looks as though she will go into service in March for MCC. A refit in Piraeus looks likely before that with an appropriate change of name.

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Originally posted by adriana & norway lover:
Dear ahrpd,

Her name under the MCC / Golden Star Banner is VISION STAR. With the trade annoncement, I have receive a picture of the ship with the MCC logo on the funnel and the name VISION STAR.

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Thanks for this information! I'm looking forward to seeing what she looks like in MCC colours. Are the details of the announcement and image available on the internet?

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Originally posted by locarno:
Look here >>>>>>>>>>>CLIPPER JEWEL

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The picture published is the ship as Superstar Gemini of Star Cruises which is painted on her hull !!

To my knowledge there has never been a picture published of her with the name Clipper Jewel on her hull !

[ 12-13-2008: Message edited by: Neil Whitmore ( Bob ex P&O Cruises) ]

[ 12-13-2008: Message edited by: Galaxy ]

This is another of the same companies ships that was on charter to the Japanese Peace Movement before she kept failing safety inspections and was found to have holes in her hull !

Clipper Pacific is now having her present voyage for the Japanese being undertaken by Mona Lisa after they appear to have cancelled her charter when she finally arrived in Piraeus about three weeks late !

The present position for Clipper Pacific is not known although she might be anchored and shut down in the Piraeus area or sailed off to a yard for more repairs or a beach for scrapping !

The booking for Superstar may have been made when she was expected to undertake the Vision cruises.

[ 12-13-2008: Message edited by: Neil Whitmore ( Bob ex P&O Cruises) ]

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Originally posted by Neil Whitmore ( Bob ex P&O Cruises):

The booking for Superstar may have been made when she was expected to undertake the Vision cruises.

[ 12-13-2008: Message edited by: Neil Whitmore ( Bob ex P&O Cruises) ]

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Vision haven't published any Baltic itineraries. As Vision Star she was supposed to sail year round from Havana to ports in the Caribbean. Now, she is going to be sailing in the Aegean from Piraeus for MCC.

I wonder why the Port of Stockholm has her listed at all, let alone under the name SUPERSTAR GEMINI?

Tony[/QB][/QUOTE]

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- ANNOUNCEMENT -
9th December 2008 I
t is with great pride, that Modern Classic Cruises MC S.A. (MCC) and Golden Star Cruises, came to an agreement with Vision Cruises, for thedeployment of the luxurious M/V VISION STAR for the 2009 Aegean Cruise season.

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