CMV Travel & Leisure Group has announced the acquisition of the 1994-built ‘Pacific Eden’ from P&O Cruises Australia.
Her new name will be announced on 20th March and the vessel will join CMV’s fleet in Singapore in early April, 2019, which will be followed by a short docking period to include livery change, re-branding and some preparatory work before she positions to Northern Europe, via Suez Canal. She is due at Tilbury around the middle of May.
The new ship will be deployed and dedicated to both the German and Australasian cruise markets. During the northern summer (May/October) the ship will operate under CMV’s German brand, TransOcean Kreuzfahrten home porting from both Bremerhaven and Kiel and during the Australian summer season (December/March), she will be based at Fremantle and Adelaide.
She was originally delivered in 1994 as Holland America Line’s ‘Statendam’. At 55,820 gt and what is claimed to be an impressive space ratio, she will carry 1,150 pax accommodated in 630 cabins (including 100 singles and 149 balcony suites and cabins with an 80% ocean view ratio).
She will operate alongside CMV’s flagship, Columbus (1,400 pax), Magellan (1,300 pax), Marco Polo (800 pax), Astor (600 pax) and Astoria (550 pax).
Christian Verhounig, CMV CEO and Chairman, explained, “We are very pleased to have concluded this deal and firmly believe that ‘Pacific Eden’ (TBR) will be a very popular addition to our fleet. This stylish traditional vessel is ideally suited to our business model and is in very good shape following a multi-million dollar refurbishment in 2016. As part of our mid-term growth plans the ship will provide the requirement level of extra capacity needed in Australia and Germany as we continue to grow our international business.”
Group Commercial Director, Chris Coates, added, “’Pacific Eden’ is an excellent addition to our fleet and the strategic development of the Group’s presence in the German and Australian markets will increase overall capacity to just below 150,000 ocean cruise passengers in 2019.”
Klaus Ebner, Head of Marketing and Sales, TransOcean Kreuzfahrten, said, “We are very pleased to be able to significantly increase the capacity for our guests with this fine new ship and her wide range of facilities and to be able to offer even more exciting and varied itineraries. What’s missing is a name but all will be revealed on 20th March.”
