Plans have been announced in France for a new cruise line that wants to keep up with new trends in the cruise industry.
Another brand that emerged after the financial collapse of the UK cruise and sea travel pandemic is raising hopes for a wider revival of the second-hand cruise ship business and the re-emergence of bespoke products. CMV's management team launched Ambassador Cruise Line in the UK earlier this year.
Known as Compagnie Francaise de Croisieres (CFC), the new line is being established by two industry veterans who worked on developing the cruise line in collaboration with CMV before the pandemic. Clement Mousset and Cedric Rivoire-Perrochat are the co-founders of CFC. Highlighting their combined experience of more than 25 years, they said they have spent the past four years researching and testing the market to develop cruise concepts.
They confirmed earlier reports that they had purchased the former Maasdam, which was built in 1993 by Fincantieri for Holland America Line. They noted that although it has been 30 years since they started their operations, the ship is in excellent condition and that Holland America received significant upgrades in 2018, including environmental systems due to its previous operations in Alaska.
CFC took delivery of the 55,575-gross-ton cruise ship in August from Seajets, which purchased the ship from Carnival Corporation in the summer of 2020. Although renamed Aegean Myth, the cruise ship has not operated since March 2020. Seajets is reportedly financing the purchase of the ship. She was renamed Renaissance, due to the connotation of the name, and in honor of the cruise ship of the same name from the 1960s that was well known by French Paquet Cruises. The funnel will be repainted to reflect the French tricolor.
They also noted that their new Renaissance will also be registered like her predecessor in Marseille, becoming the first French cruise ship to dock in Marseille in 38 years. Currently, the only other French cruise company is Ponant, which operates smaller ships focusing on the exploration segment.
The new cruise line said the Renaissance is currently in Greece but will be sailing soon. They plan a $10 million renovation and some changes before it enters service in February 2023. Among the changes will be a reduction in passenger capacity to approximately 1,100 people, as some cabins will be reserved for solo travelers. They do not plan major structural changes and will not add attractions as they focus on the premium cruise segment. They plan to add a bowling alley to the cruise ship.
In terms of comfort and life on board, out of 629 staterooms, 154 have a private balcony or terrace and 80% of them are exterior: a good ratio, the rest being interior cabins. On this ship that is neither too big nor too small, no zip line or ice rink, but a sharp choice of speakers who will discuss in the theater (600 seats, at the front of the ship on two levels) the countries and sites visited without omitting the history, culture or more contemporary aspects. Well-being enthusiasts can rest assured, the ship also has a spa, a fitness center and two swimming pools (one outside at the rear, the other in the center of the ship under a glass dome retractable depending on the weather). Yoga, pilates, dance and soft sports classes will be offered.
French gastronomy and quality products will be honored with an “average cost of the catering budget per passenger four times higher than in some other companies” specifies the press release. Naturally, tea will be offered every afternoon from 4 p.m. with its cohort of small sandwiches and cakes, not to mention the 11 a.m. broth served in the great tradition on decks, during days at sea in northern countries. , to the return of an exceptional midnight buffet on long cruises.
