Last week we learned that P&O Cruises Australia is axing Pacific Eden from its fleet next year, but now we can confirm that the ship has found a new home with CMV Travel & Leisure Group.
Pacific Eden’s new name will be announced next Tuesday and the ship will join CMV’s expanding fleet with delivery in Singapore in early April 2019.
This will be followed by a docking period for a livery change and re-brand before she repositions to Northern Europe via the Suez on her inaugural voyage.
Four distinguished explorers have been shortlisted for the ship’s new name with the shortlist comprised of: Vasco da Gama, Pytheas, Henry Hudson and Amerigo Vespucci.
The new ship will be 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 homeporting from both Bremerhaven and Kiel and during the Australian summer season (December-March) from Fremantle and Adelaide.
The ship will carry 1150 passengers in 630 cabins and will cruise alongside CMV’s flagship, Columbus Magellan, Marco Polo, Astor and Astoria
Christian Verhounig, CEO and Chairman of CMV said the ship is expected to be a popular addition to its 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.
Christian Verhounig, CEO and Chairman of CMV.
The ship is part of the group’s mid-term growth plans in the German and Australian markets will increase overall capacity to just below 150,000 ocean cruise passengers in 2019.
The Summer 2019 German based program for the new ship will go on sale after the Easter holidays in mid-April with the release of a special launch edition brochure.
The Australian summer 2019-20 season will be released during autumn 2018.
READ: FAREWELL: Pacific Eden to leave P&O’s fleet next year
READ: #cruisehacks: The A-Z of acronyms at CruiseAwards & Events