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Cruise Talk » Cruise Lines » The end of Classic International Cruises ? (Page 1)

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Topic: The end of Classic International Cruises ?

adriana & norway lover
First Class Passenger
Member # 7184

posted 09-17-2012 05:04 PM

Hi all !

Very sad news, the classic cruise ships ARION, PRINCESS DANAE and ATHENA were seized in Kotor for the first and Marseilles for two others for unpaid bills.

Is this the end of CIC Cruises whose founder, George Potamianos, died a few months ago ?

Very very bad... I hope not, what loss would be this one for shiplovers !!

Mickael

Posts: 199 | From: Caen, France | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 09-17-2012 06:28 PM

Princess Danae was arrested at the end of August in Dublin over an alleged unpaid fuel bill and prior to that in Piraeus, but whether that was due to lack of funds or a dispute over anything we know not, and was sorted out pretty quickly with release on the same day.

Princess Daphne has not long left Tenerife, as scheduled, so hopefully whatever is going on does not affect the operations of Ambiente Kreuzfahrten. [Haven't they just agreed a charter with Athena too for next summer?]

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES
First Class Passenger
Member # 5641

posted 09-18-2012 05:53 AM

Email Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES

mv Athena was due to operate an extended series of cruise from Australia at the end of 2012 after sailing from Marseilles on the 12th November 2012 and arriving in Fremantle on the 18th December 2012.

At present the Classic International Cruises Australian website remains on line .
.

Posts: 2355 | From: Dunstable, Bedfordshire. 30 miles north of London | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 09-18-2012 09:08 AM

It appears Athena was chartered to a Belgian company All Ways Cruises, who chartered an aircraft to fly their passengers back to Belgium after one night aboard in Marseilles, see here.

Looking at All Ways' website, it is interesting to note that they seem to have chartered VOYAGER for a series of cruises next year from the end of June to the end of August. Here.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 09-18-2012 11:17 AM

quote:
Originally posted by adriana & norway lover:
Hi all !

Is this the end of CIC Cruises whose founder, George Potamianos, died a few months ago ?

Mickael

I guess the next of kin or the remaining management was not up to the task. If this has been a long decline, was GP ill and not in control?

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Galaxy
First Class Passenger
Member # 5160

posted 09-18-2012 11:41 AM

This is very sad.....i really hope this is not the end,so sad if we will lose this classic ships........

Athena in Olden this summer

and

Princess Danae also visit this summer

Posts: 591 | From: Norway | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

SSTRAVELER
First Class Passenger
Member # 15170

posted 09-18-2012 11:50 AM

quote:
Originally posted by desirod7:
I guess the next of kin or the remaining management was not up to the task. If this has been a long decline, was GP ill and not in control?

The children took over to run the firm but I suspect they were left (or discovered) a financial mess. The firm seems to always have been run on a shoestring. The Funchal conversion ran out of money a while ago and they were talking about needing US$6 million for her alone.

Even in the best of circumstances it is hard to run a small independent firm especially with old ships that need a lot of TLC and gulp oil and don't carry a lot of people.

If these 5 (?) ships go under it will take away one of the last major historical links. Daphne was not mentioned but I assume she is in trouble too? Funchal of course is in perpetual drydock now. Pretty soon old timers in the industry will be from the 1990s!

Posts: 757 | From: New York | Registered: May 2008 | IP: Logged

adriana & norway lover
First Class Passenger
Member # 7184

posted 09-18-2012 12:10 PM

Dear SS TRAVELLER

No, apparently the DAPHNE is still in service, bills can be paid by the charter by Ambiente Kreuzfahrten.

Mickael

Posts: 199 | From: Caen, France | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 09-18-2012 06:18 PM

Several news reports about the net quote the agents, World Cruises Agency who are negotiating payment of crew wages and repatriation, as saying that the bankers, Montepio, have been funding CIC for "several years". If this is the case it all seems to be a bit of a mess and not surprising the plug has been pulled.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Johan
First Class Passenger
Member # 4458

posted 09-19-2012 03:47 PM

Very sad, probably the end for Athena, and presumably for Funchal too ;-(

I didn't know that Stockholm/Athena was the first transatlantic liner build after WWII.

It was in the newspapers here in Antwerp. In fact the famous in flanders cruise entertainment couple "Nicole & Hugo" were on board the "Athena". Passengers could return by plane or by TGV (which is a very convenient way from Belgium to Marseille, lots less hassle than the plane, and only a short taxi to the docks).

All Ways regularly charters ships for its owc cruises, and makes a lot of publicity, eg little leaflets together with your creditcarrd monthly accounts. In fact, I booked several of my cruises through them (though not their own charters)

Banks will have lost confidence after the death of the owner...

Posts: 1895 | From: Antwerpen, Belgium | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES
First Class Passenger
Member # 5641

posted 09-20-2012 05:55 AM

Classic International Cruises in Australia have issued a statement saying that the mv Athena will operate her season of Australian cruises as advertised.

mv Athena is advertised as sailing from Marseilles on the 12th November 2012, after a visit to the drydocks, and due to arrive in the Australian port of Fremantle on the 18th December 2012.

Princess Daphne is shown on the AIS ship position maps today as still cruising around the Spanish Canary Island and arrived in Arrecife this morning.

Their other ships remain tied up in port.
.

Posts: 2355 | From: Dunstable, Bedfordshire. 30 miles north of London | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 09-20-2012 06:08 AM

Classic International Cruises in Australia have also stated:-
"“Athena is currently undergoing a drydock in Marseille as scheduled,”" from here.

They have also stated in Cruise Weekly's mews letter that she is “being prepared for
scheduled dry docking in Marseille”.

She is not in dry dock and All Ways passengers would not have been sent home after one night on a cruise that was not due to end until 26 September to prepare a vessel for a scheduled dry docking.

Maybe all will be sorted out for Australia - maybe not, but making statements which are obviously not correct does not give booked passengers much confidence.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES
First Class Passenger
Member # 5641

posted 09-21-2012 01:28 PM

During this afternoon the ' mv Athena ' was moved in Marseilles harbour.

According to the AIS ship position maps she is now berthed in front of the laid up Spanish Pullmantur Cruises ship ' Atlantic Star ' , on the harbour breakwater berths.

' Princess Danae ' remains in her original berth at Marseilles.
.

Posts: 2355 | From: Dunstable, Bedfordshire. 30 miles north of London | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 09-21-2012 03:59 PM

There are various French news reports which say the o/s fuel bills are around €300,000 and together with the wages owed and other bits it 'may' be €1m. These are only the current operating debts, who knows what they owe elsewhere.

The court order states the ships can be held until the end of November and if the debts are not paid by then, there can be a forced sale of ATHENA.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Kevin Griffin, London
First Class Passenger
Member # 6010

posted 09-24-2012 01:59 PM

Recent reports have missed the fact that a fourth Classic International ship, the Princess Daphne, has continued to operate on schedule for Germany’s Ambiente Kreuzfahrten.

Leaving Puerto del Rosario in the early hours of Thursday, September 20, she made her planned call at Arrecife the same day and then left Casablanca on Saturday, September 22, for Malaga, where she was due this morning. That three ships have been arrested while the fourth continues to sail seems to indicate that some sort of arrangement has been made as far as the Princess Daphne is concerned.

After anchoring off Malaga this morning, Princess Daphne sailed at 12:46, headed east southeast, and was last seen off Torre del Mar steaming at 14½ knots on a course of 100 degrees, her destination Ibiza. So will she finish her present voyage without arrest?

The Ambiente web site continues to operate, listing her next cruise as a Black Sea sailing from Istanbul on October 6.

As well as the "planned" Australian season for the Athena, Ambiente has charters on Athena and Princess Daphne for next summer, but whether any of this goes ahead will depend on whether financing is put into place for an ongoing operation.

[ 09-24-2012: Message edited by: Kevin Griffin, London ]

Posts: 148 | From: London, England | Registered: Oct 2005 | IP: Logged

Jepp
First Class Passenger
Member # 5576

posted 09-27-2012 01:00 PM

Hepp!
Arion is on the move heading for Bar.
http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/se/shipdetails.aspx?MMSI=255969000
Another layup...? I hope a solution is close for these lovely ships.

On board Arion this summer.
/Jepp

Posts: 158 | From: Stockholm, Sweden | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 10-02-2012 11:15 AM

The silence is deafening! Does anyone know what is happening here? or nothing. Is it the end? or is there a rescue package on the table?

Princess Danae and Athena are still in Marseilles, Arion has moved to Bar [her captain left ship before she went]. News reports say the crew were paid for July and hoped to be paid by the end of last week for August and September - however nothing further has been stated. Princess Daphne continues to sail as planned, probably thankful for whatever the terms and conditions of her charter are, or additional funds from Ambiente Kreuzfahrten? This will soon come to the end for this season, then what? Funchal I am afraid is lost for good - no-one is going to take her on in a part finished state with a further €6m required to complete.

So many questions, 5 ships and not a word from anyone!

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

bmajor
First Class Passenger
Member # 1754

posted 10-02-2012 09:11 PM

According to this report the crew are running out of food...

http://www.bairdmaritime.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=13423:classic-international-cruises-ships-under-arrest&catid=96:cruiseferry&Itemid=116

"....CIC said at the end of last week that it was trying to convince the bank to provide it with financing for the payment of crew wages and repatriation costs. It added that it was concerned about the plight of its crews who were starting to run out of food and power....."

Posts: 1371 | From: Orewa.New Zealand. | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 10-03-2012 05:08 AM

Well unfortunately PRINCESS DAPHNE was detained in Chania [Souda] yesterday and there she remains

Souda Port Blog

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

r.fiebig
First Class Passenger
Member # 5240

posted 10-04-2012 03:47 AM

Hello everybody,

Ambiente Kreuzfahrten has just issued a press release, stating they are going to terminate their collaboration with Classic International Cruises immediately as a result of "Princess Daphne" being arrested in Crete.

Best,

Raoul

Posts: 775 | From: Paderborn, Germany | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 10-05-2012 05:42 AM

Seems that Ambiente Kreuzfahrten are not then working to secure the ships for themselves? Where will they get any replacements I wonder.
There are very few smaller unemployed vessels around now and others also perhaps looking. [Cruise Holidays in Turkey have 'lost' Ocean Majesty to Hansa and Alexander Von Humboldt who they have also chartered is not longer available either]. Louis are rejuvenating CORAL - just where is LOUIS OLYMPIA going? Only the little THE CALYPSO and VENUS seem to be idle, that I can think of anyway and neither suit imho.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

adriana & norway lover
First Class Passenger
Member # 7184

posted 10-05-2012 08:13 AM

Some cruise ships would be free for charter (ready or not) :
- GEMINI (819 guests)
- OCEAN ATLANTIC (236 guests)
- OCEAN COUNTESS (814 guests)
- OCEAN LIFE (436 guests)
- THE CALYPSO (486 guests)
- ROYALE STAR (342 guests)
- VENUS (790 guests)
- CLIPPER ODYSSEY (from July - 120 guests, too small I think)
- SEA VOYAGER (226 guests)
- SEA DISCOVERER (226 guests)
- OCEAN DIAMOND (226 guests - summer)

Posts: 199 | From: Caen, France | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged

r.fiebig
First Class Passenger
Member # 5240

posted 10-05-2012 09:36 AM

Yes, Pam, I was wondering about "Louis Olympia" as well. No word from Louis, yet.

I'd love to see "Gemini" on the German market, but I guess her capacity might be too high for Ambiente.

Ambiente has issued another press release today, claiming they're looking for a new partner for the 2013 season.

Best,

Raoul

Posts: 775 | From: Paderborn, Germany | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged

Neil - Ex P & O & PRINCESS CRUISES
First Class Passenger
Member # 5641

posted 10-07-2012 08:16 AM

News reports from France have said that NDS Voyages, of which Classic International Cruises are reported as the main shareholders, have made a declaration of insolvency.

They are expected to go into liquidation on the 10th October 2012.

The company has been operating since 1872 and first operated trips from Marseilles to the Holyland.

They have recently operated round the world cruises on the ' Princess Danae ' with last years voyage being for 127 days.

Another world cruise on ' Princess Danae ' was planned for January 2013.
.

Posts: 2355 | From: Dunstable, Bedfordshire. 30 miles north of London | Registered: May 2005 | IP: Logged

bmajor
First Class Passenger
Member # 1754

posted 10-22-2012 08:55 PM

As departure date for Athena draws closer , many Australian passengers are packing their bags and getting ready to fly over and board for the voyage back to Australia . CIC Australia is still assuring nervous passengers that the cruise will go ahead, many of whom have only just found out that the line is in trouble.
The theory being touted around is that a successful season in Australia will pull the company out of the mire and satisfy the lenders .
Time will tell I guess, but it will have to be a very successful season down under to save them , I would have thought.

Posts: 1371 | From: Orewa.New Zealand. | Registered: Jan 2001 | IP: Logged

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