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Shipspotters all over the world => Shipping News and information => Topic started by: Damien McCarthy on November 25, 2012, 07:07:39 PM

Title: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on November 25, 2012, 07:07:39 PM
Any further updates on the fate of Classic International Cruises ?
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: brian e cole on November 26, 2012, 06:18:48 AM
Sorry crazyboutships, here in Australia we have all put our claims in for refunds on our cruises. Nothing in the media, Regards, Brian
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on November 26, 2012, 08:08:05 PM
Thanks anyway Brian
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Danijela Dani Paljusic on January 22, 2013, 08:46:42 AM
Daily newspaper "Vijesti", 21.01.2013. wrote:

Portuguese ship abandoned in the Bar harbor
Supervision of the "Arion" and thus that Luka Bar keeps a boat, nautical inspector performs the Bar Harbor Master ..
Portuguese passenger ship "Arion", which is the 17th September last year, stopped in Montenegro on behalf of the Commercial Court in Podgorica, was officially handed over to the Port of Bar, because keeping the crew in the meantime left the cruiser that was forcibly tied up in port under Volujica Quay.
Supervision of the "Arion" and thus that Luka Bar keeps a boat, nautical inspector performs the Bar Harbor Master, and as unofficial, the Commercial Court in Podgorica, in the course of the proceedings against the ship owner.
The owner of the company "Classic International Cruises" (CIC) and the procedure was launched Russian tourist agency "R-tours" from Moscow, which had been hired "Arion" before his zaustavanja in Kotor, in mid-September.
Previously the two CIC's ship - cruise ship "Princess Danae" and "Athena" stopped at Marseilles by court order and request the British fuel supplier, company "Cocket Marine Oil" which has not been paid delivered oil.

Early October in the Bay Court in Crete, Greece, arestiran the fourth ship cruise company CIC "Princess Daphne", which at that time was chartered by a German operator.

"Shipowner has duly paid all 120 crew members, and they were then left the ship," said a well-informed source.

The ship was to find out the "Vijesti", the bar held by order of the Commercial Court of Russians who seek to "Arion" impose an injunction prohibiting the departure.
"This is the first time here in Montenegro this case happens and everyone in the chain of the maritime industry up to now the maximum effort to help the shipper that the status of Arion as quickly as possible, and the crew and the ship are disposed of in a proper manner," he said source of "Vijesti".

According to our interviewee who insisted on anonymity, they began to accumulate demurrage costs and keeping the ship in port of Bar 'which will be presented to the Commercial Court and recoup from the woods is now obtained a judicial sale of certain "Arion".

"After leaving the crew on board the other 1,5 - 2 tons of food, and the commander ordered that she be transferred to humanitarian organizations, but I do not know if this is in the news and realized," says interlocutor "Vijesti."

One of the biggest maritime legal authority in Montenegro captain Branko Djurovic from Bar said the "Vijesti" to the example of the "Arion" "should follow the principle of reasonableness, which is often used in the maritime world of compensation and other similar applications. '

"We have a boat that was stopped at sea and who is already three months lying in Bar abandoned by the owner, the bank and the crew., It's unthinkable - that this happens for example in the UK, the court called on all parties and told them: you you must behave in a fair, reasonable and first seek common interests and conflicts that then I will be like the court to resolve.'s how it works in the world, so that ships would not be like this for months and failed to everyone involved in these procedures, they should suffer unnecessary damage, "said Captain Djurovic.
He did not want to declare who is specifically true when the "Arion" in the issue, but noted that "it is not reasonable to stop a ship in full sail and earns, no matter what you might have the right to zaplijeni
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: jdap on January 22, 2013, 12:31:26 PM
By the way, regarding "Funchal", which is also part of the CIC fleet and has been moored at a Lisbon pier since 2010 to undergo a now never-ending rennovation work and interior re-structuring in accordance to the applicable SOLAS rules and regulations, the news are that the last crew members onboard (7, including the captain) finally left the ship just before Christmas. They had been without food in the ship stores since October, and thus forced to eat out at a social canteen nearby like beggars, and were thriving under harsh conditions on board, without heating and with only sufficient fuel to attend to emergencies.

Before leaving the ship, the captain wrote in the ship's diary two words only: "Abandon ship!".

Funchal is now under surveillance by the Lisbon harbour private security.

Her future is as uncertain as ever.
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Pier Master on January 22, 2013, 01:33:57 PM
Thanks 'jdap', sad times indeed!
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on January 22, 2013, 07:35:00 PM
Princess Daphne which was under charter to Ambiente in Germany but following arrest in Souda Greece the charter by Ambiente was cancelled .Following this the charter of Delphin fell through and crew were slowly paid then released.Something along the lines must be going on as Athena has a scheduled arrival to Cobh Cork in June this year.Hope something good will happen as they are all up to standard minus Funchal.
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: jdap on February 07, 2013, 11:11:42 AM
BREAKING NEWS!

Just heard on the radio this morning that CIC has sold its fleet, including Funchal, and that the new owner is already working on putting them to sea.

Who that is, I still do not know.

...

More news:

The buyer is a Portuguese entrepreneur. He seems to be buying only 4 ships, those arrested in Marseille and in Bar, plus Funchal.

http://www.tvi24.iol.pt/503/economia---negocios/rui-alegre-paquete-funchal-paquetes-barcos-classic-international-cruises-cruzeiros/1417381-6379.html
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: davidships on February 07, 2013, 12:43:14 PM
The buyer quoted in your link is Portuguese entrepreneur Rui Alegre - the source is the seller, the CIC creditor mutual bank Montepio Geral. 

Alegre is involved with Grupo Amorim, which is widening its investment sectors, though Amorim may not be involved in this project.
http://www.amorim.com/en/gru_apresentacao.php
He is vice-chairman of the part of Grupo Amorim that is involved with investments outside its core business of cork production.

Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on February 07, 2013, 05:00:13 PM
What happens with Princess Daphne this article only mentions Arion Funchal Princess Danae and Athena
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Phil English on February 07, 2013, 05:18:24 PM
What happens with Princess Daphne this article only mentions Arion Funchal Princess Danae and Athena

Obviously it's not part of the deal, so who knows. You'll have to wait for further news, like the rest of us

Brgds
Phil
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on February 07, 2013, 05:40:28 PM
What happens with Princess Daphne this article only mentions Arion Funchal Princess Danae and Athena

Obviously it's not part of the deal, so who knows. You'll have to wait for further news, like the rest of us

Brgds
Phil
Thanks for the further info Phil
Brgds
Damien
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Lu on February 07, 2013, 05:51:19 PM
PRINCESS DAPHNE remains under the ownership of the Potamianos brothers Alexander and Emilios following a recent deal with bank Montepio Geral, CIC main creditor. They closed the former CIC Lisbon office but have retained the company's office in Piraeus. They got also several million euros from the bank with P DAPHNE...

http://lmcshipsandthesea.blogspot.com

Lu
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on February 07, 2013, 06:23:16 PM
So they still own her  ???
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Lu on February 08, 2013, 01:25:22 AM
Yes the PRINCESS DAPHNE is now their only ship...
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on February 08, 2013, 12:58:05 PM
[quote author=Lu
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Lu on February 08, 2013, 01:19:53 PM
Hope so, there is market demand for those ships, let's wait and see...

LMC
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on February 08, 2013, 02:59:48 PM
I guess that is all we will have to do.When do Arion Athena and Princess Danae enter service again?Will they be going on the cruises they where already booked for in Europe?When does the modernisation commence on Funchal?
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Lu on February 08, 2013, 11:06:22 PM
A lot has been done already in terms of modernizing the FUNCHAL. First the asbestos were removed as the old cabins were dismantled. During four weeks in drydock at the Navalrocha yard in February and March 2011 120 tons of steel were replaced in the hull and decks. Glass on all windows has been replaced also. Most items required to finish the refit are already at hand,the main engines and auxiliaries are refitted like new, etc...

Let's hope this story is having a happy end...

LMC
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Pier Master on February 09, 2013, 10:50:39 AM
[quote author=Lu
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on February 11, 2013, 01:53:58 PM
Anyone have any further updates on when they enter service
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Clive Harvey on February 11, 2013, 02:08:33 PM
Well, I would not expect to see them back in service any time yet. They've been inactive for several months (and Funchal for about 2 years). Work will need to be done to ready the ships for service quite apart from finding useful employment for them. If the new owner is going to operate them himself, rather than place them out on charter, itineraries have to be planned, crew recruited and the intended cruises marketed. So, unless there is someone out there anxious to charter one or two of the ships immediately, I would not expect to see them back in service until much later this year. I cannot see that they'd be ready for this coming summer.
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on February 11, 2013, 02:43:26 PM
Thanks Clive
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Pier Master on February 28, 2013, 09:22:17 AM
Latest news shows work has restarted on the Funchal, http://mytakkes.blogspot.pt/2013/02/paquete-funchal.html
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on February 28, 2013, 08:10:15 PM
Any work on the others   :)
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on March 13, 2013, 08:32:44 PM
Arion is expected to arrive to Lisbon tomorrow at 12:00 off Almeria Spain at the moment :D
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on March 15, 2013, 06:20:43 PM
MV Arion is now in Lisbon.Flagged in Norway.Any updates on the new owner?Princess Daphne is due to undergo repairs for Golden Laurel in April and work had been restarted on Funchal by late month but nothing on Princess Danae or Athena.Anybody know why or when work will commence on them?
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Ricardo on March 15, 2013, 06:39:52 PM
http://mytakkes.blogspot.pt/2013/03/arion-recebido-em-apoteose.html (http://mytakkes.blogspot.pt/2013/03/arion-recebido-em-apoteose.html)

Arion is back to Lisbon, under the Portuguese flag... The Portuguese flag was on the mast as she entered the harbor, but in next days we will confirm that.

It was received with tugs, water and lots of horns! Great reception.
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on March 15, 2013, 07:33:25 PM
http://mytakkes.blogspot.pt/2013/03/arion-recebido-em-apoteose.html (http://mytakkes.blogspot.pt/2013/03/arion-recebido-em-apoteose.html)

Arion is back to Lisbon, under the Portuguese flag... The Portuguese flag was on the mast as she entered the harbor, but in next days we will confirm that.

It was received with tugs, water and lots of horns! Great reception.
Nice to know anything on Princess Danae Athena or Funchal
Will any be in service by June as Athnea still seems to be booked for Cork
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Ricardo on March 17, 2013, 11:27:51 PM
Arion is under Portuguese flag, not exterior signals of others flag's! Portuguese flag is there.

Athena goes to Russian charter. Maybe in next weeks Athena came to Lisbon. not confirmed yet.
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on March 18, 2013, 02:53:45 PM
Thanks! Does anyone know if the russian charter brings her on a cruise to Cork?Can anyone provide recent pics of Athena and Princess Danae in Marseille?Are Classic International Cruises making a comeback : http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/8685-classic-international-cruises-mounting-comeback.html
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Lu on March 18, 2013, 04:02:13 PM
All five former ships of Classic International Cruises will be back in cruise service in the near future.
FUNCHAL saw her refit resumed as soon as new owners finished purchase of the ships from bank Montepio Geral.
Four owning companies have been set up in MaDEIRA Island, Portugal, on 11 January, each one to take ownership of a single ship. Meanwhile a new cruise management company called PORTUSCALE CRUISES has been established on 27 February and an office has opened already in downtown Lisbon with several former staff of CIC back at work.
ARION which had been detained last September in Kotor and later moved to nearby Montenegro port of Bar was realeased in March and left Bar on 9 March sailig for Lisbon with a crew of 22 men. She arrived Lisbon on 15 March and a refit is due to start this week in Lisbon.
Captain Filipe who brought ARION home is now on his way to Marseilles to bring ATHENA to Lisbon as soon as possible and PRINCESS DANAE also has already a Portuguese crew onboard and is due in Lisbon soon.
ATHENA is already contracted for a season of charter cruising from the Black Sea for the Russian market under the name ASTORIA. She will operate in the Black Sea and Mediterranean (East Med and the Adriatic) from July until late November.
New owner Mr. Rui Alegre is considering to rename all ships with Portuguese names except FUNCHAL. So let's wait and see how things evolve, but so far it could not have been better news four this group of classics.
Mr. George Potamianos sons, Emilios and Alexander Potamianos kept the PRINCESS DAPHNE under their own ownership and they got the ship also from bank Montepio free of debts, so let's see if they will be able to follow their Father footsteps and are able to develop their business the way George Potamiaos did after he purchased FUNCHAL in Lisbon in August 1985.

Lu
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Pier Master on March 18, 2013, 04:23:56 PM
Thanks Luis, GREAT news indeed.
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on March 28, 2013, 11:01:51 PM
Thanks Luis.Anyone in Marseille know if Athena or Princess Danae have been given clearance to depart for Lisbon yet?
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Ricardo on May 10, 2013, 05:07:00 PM
Hi, Princess Danae it's now called "Lisboa" and Arion is called "Porto". The name of the two biggest cities of Portugal. The name isn't visible in hull, but during this month maybe it will be visible and changed. They will go to dry dock, maybe they do it there. For more about it and see photos from them, taken today, visit my blog, link below.

http://mytakkes.blogspot.com (http://mytakkes.blogspot.com)
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on May 10, 2013, 06:01:34 PM
Thanks for update and pics.  :D Does anyone know when Athena heads for Lisbon
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Kai R on May 13, 2013, 08:20:54 AM
Athena has been renamed Azores
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: davidships on May 13, 2013, 08:48:08 AM
Bearing in mind that the other two's names are reported as the portuguese language names PORTO and LISBOA, I wonder whether ATHENA will become AZORES or A
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Ricardo on May 13, 2013, 03:04:10 PM
Athena will be renamed Azores, in English not in Portuguese language. It's sputip, because they rename the ships with city names, and Athena will have a archipelago name...
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: davidships on May 13, 2013, 03:49:04 PM
Thanks Ricardo.
Now all we are waitng for is the paintbrushes and the first photos!
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on May 13, 2013, 07:10:15 PM
Thanks guys interesting can't wait til the fleet enter service
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Ricardo on May 14, 2013, 01:58:21 AM
Update:

Arion haven't no more the dolphin in hull, and also no name at moment in hull...maybe in next days i can take photos...
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on May 14, 2013, 06:51:36 PM
Thanks for this further update
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: rlwamphyri on May 14, 2013, 11:24:26 PM
Hello Everyone! I'm from Singapore and would like to know Portuscale Cruises Website address if any, their address, email and telephone number. Appreciate your kind assistance please. Thanks
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on May 15, 2013, 04:26:45 PM
Hi rlwamphyri unfortunately no info on contacts for this company yet but hopefully soon
Bregards
Damien Mc Carthy
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Ricardo on May 15, 2013, 07:29:17 PM
Hi,

For someone that asked for Portuscale Cruises contact, follow this link, maybe there someone can help you:

http://www.portugalio.com/portuscale-cruises/ (http://www.portugalio.com/portuscale-cruises/)

And now, another update photo from Arion with "no name" and "no dolphin"

http://mytakkes.blogspot.pt/2013/05/celebrity-constellation-e-eurodam.html (http://mytakkes.blogspot.pt/2013/05/celebrity-constellation-e-eurodam.html)
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on May 16, 2013, 04:38:52 PM
Fast reply Ricardo doesn't look the same without the dolphin
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Ricardo on May 16, 2013, 06:46:11 PM
It is now in shipyard...the dolphin was his style...
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on May 16, 2013, 07:07:20 PM
Whos style was the dolphin? Anything on Princess Daphne?
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Ricardo on May 17, 2013, 11:31:39 PM
Princess Daphne is in Greece...the family Potamianos stay with them. It isn't Portuguese now.

Arion is now in shipyard...
Porto name is now visible in tenders.
Regards
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: rlwamphyri on May 19, 2013, 09:46:09 AM
Hi,

For someone that asked for Portuscale Cruises contact, follow this link, maybe there someone can help you:

http://www.portugalio.com/portuscale-cruises/ (http://www.portugalio.com/portuscale-cruises/)

And now, another update photo from Arion with "no name" and "no dolphin"

http://mytakkes.blogspot.pt/2013/05/celebrity-constellation-e-eurodam.html (http://mytakkes.blogspot.pt/2013/05/celebrity-constellation-e-eurodam.html)

Hi anyone else can help? I am from Singapore one of its cruise centre and need to hook up Portuscale Cruises. Any email or website would definitely help..:)
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on May 19, 2013, 10:27:53 AM
Suprising that Princess Daphne has not move sent out signals or even moved to a shipyard for repairs.
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Richard Paton on May 29, 2013, 06:48:45 AM
Funchal is down for sailing from Gothenburg starting August 16th. these cruises are being run by charterer Latitude travel, details on their website.
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Pier Master on May 29, 2013, 07:59:49 AM
What's the website Richard?
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Richard Paton on May 29, 2013, 11:56:32 AM
http://www.latitudetravel.se/
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Pier Master on May 29, 2013, 05:14:46 PM
Thanks Richard.
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on May 29, 2013, 08:33:54 PM
Won't be long coming round anything on the other 4?
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Pier Master on May 30, 2013, 01:45:24 PM
http://forum.shipspotting.com/index.php/topic,11957.msg64517.html#new
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on June 15, 2013, 10:31:26 AM
Portuscale Cruises website running no programmes yet though  but contacts available:
http://www.portuscalecruises.com/#!contact-info/c24vq
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Ricardo on June 20, 2013, 11:44:26 PM
First prices to Azores islands cruises, in Funchal.

http://www.abreu.pt/tabPrecos?goToPage=http://static.abreu.pt/static_pt/Acores_%20Navio%20Funchal_%202013.pdf (http://www.abreu.pt/tabPrecos?goToPage=http://static.abreu.pt/static_pt/Acores_%20Navio%20Funchal_%202013.pdf)

A Portuguese travel agency sells them.  And the ship continues in dry dock in one hard conversion. Everything is new, and thousand of workers are onboard working. Many expensive refurbishment, but no numbers yet...
Title: Re: Classic International Cruises
Post by: Damien McCarthy on June 21, 2013, 09:30:24 AM
Can't wait to see her, Lisboa and Azores in the Portuscale Cruises coulors
Bregards
Damien