EasyCruise
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- The correct title of this article is easyCruise. The initial letter is shown capitalized due to technical restrictions.
easyCruise is an enterprise of Cypriot/British business man, Stelios Haji-Ioannou. easyCruise launched their first cruise liner easyCruiseOne in 2005. easyCruise, registered in Liberia.
Contents |
[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 began by operating night-time departures calling between ports in St. Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Monaco, Imperia, Genoa and Portofino in the summer. For Summer 2007 easyCruise is relocating to the Greek Islands for a 14 night itinerary taking in the ports of Piraeus (Athens), Mykonos, Paros, Sifnos, Poros, Spetses, Milos, Ios, Amorgos, Naxos, Folegandos and Serifos. Previously it was possible to join the ship at any port and stay for a minimum of 2, to a maximum of 14 nights, but now you can embark solely at the port of Piraeus where it visits three times in the 14 nights. Therefore you can create a cruise for either 3, 4, 7, 10 or 14 nights. 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 for Winter 2006-2007 easyCruiseOne now sails a 1-week itinerary calling at St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Antigua, Nevis, St. Barts and Anguilla calling at St. Maarten twice. With this particular itinerary it is still possible to embark the ship at any port.
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.
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.
[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. Since easyCruiseOne was refitted in November 2006 most cabins do now have windows. A maid service is not included in the base price.
[edit] TV Series
The continuing fortunes of easyCruise are being tracked for an observational documentary called "Cruise with Stelios" produced by the British company Twofour, the second series of which is currently being screened on Sky Three in the UK on Friday nights and will be screened in the US on The Travel Channel later in 2007.
[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.
