Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines has reportedly acquired another ship, the Ivory.
The 690-passenger vessel is to operate under the Louis Hellenic Cruises brand in the Greek islands, increasing its presence in the region to four ships.
Louis runs 12 ships as well as 27 hotels in Greece and Cyprus. It charters three vessels to Thomson Cruises and plans to provide a fourth – the Calypso – to the UK operator from 2007.
The 11,162-ton Calypso with 462 passengers on board was involved in a scare in the English Channel earlier this month when a fire broke out in its engine room while cruising from Tilbury to Guernsey. The fire was extinguished with support from the UK’s Maritime Incident Response Group and the ship was towed to Southampton where the mainly Dutch passengers disembarked safely.
Report by Phil Davies
