EasyCruise
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- The correct title of this article is easyCruise. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.
easyCruise is an enterprise of Greek/British business man, Stelios Haji-Ioannou. easyCruise launched their first cruise liner easyCruiseOne in 2005. easyCruise, based in Liberia.
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[edit] Development
In April 2004, the initial ship came in for an innovative approach to cruising that was aimed at attracting younger customers who wished to spend the majority of their time on shore rather than on board a megaship. After a few months of negotiation and refurbishment, the ship, formerly known as Neptune 2, was renamed easyCruiseOne. In 9 May 2005, the ship finally left for her maiden voyage.
[edit] Itinerary
The service operates night-time departures calling between ports in St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Imperia, Genoa and Portofino in the summer. It is possible to join the ship at any port and stay for a minimum of two, to a maximum of fourteen nights. Prices vary according to cabin type and demand. In a departure from the model employed by easyJet it is possible to book via travel agents as well as direct through the easyCruise website. For the winter season easyCruise has travelled to the Caribbean calling at Barbados, St Vincent, Martinique, Bequia, Grenada and St Lucia in 2005-2006, and will sail a St. Maarten based itinerary in 2006-2007.
A second boat, easyCruiseTwo, a converted river freighter, has a route around the Netherlands, Flanders, and Belgium, visiting the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Brussels.
[edit] Facilities
The ship, easyCruiseOne, is a 170-passenger vessel with 86 cabins on board (75 twins, 7 quadruples and 4 suites).
There is also a coffee shop, a sports bar
(drinks and meals), and a cocktail bar with Jacuzzi and evening DJ, as well as a small gym.
[edit] Cabins
The cabins are a very simple bed and bathroom, averaging 110 square feet, with bare amentities. Most do not have windows and maid service is not included in the base price.
The continuing fortunes of easyCruise are being tracked for a Sky One documentary/sales pitch called "Cruise with Stelios" produced by the British company Twofour, the second series of which screened in Spring 2006.
[edit] Future
The cruise line appeared to have a quite successful first year, and is reportedly contemplating adding other itineraries in various sites throughout the world. The customer base is primarily young passengers from 20-40 years old who seek a more shore-based cruising experience than on traditional cruiseliners. The business model appparently includes nearly complete subcontracting of each portion of the service (i.e., coffee shop, sports bar, "hotel" functions on the ship) to provide good service while maintaining attractive prices. The owner, Stelios, appears to be using a co-branding strategy with the rest of his "easyGroup" enterprises to appeal to customers seeking basic but good quality travel and accommodations.
[edit] External links
- easyCruise - Online booking and information regarding the easyCruise brand.
- bigorangeboat.com - An impartial and independent easyCruise enthusiast discussion forum website setup to give potential customers a better idea of the concept, and for passengers to chat about their experiences while aboard. Created and maintained by two people who were passengers in Jan 2006.
