Orient Lines
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Orient Lines | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Fate | Brand closed |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Defunct | 2008 |
| Location | |
| Industry | Cruise ship traffic |
| Key people | Gerry Herrod |
| Former Parent | Norwegian Cruise Line (1998—2000) Star Cruises (2000—2008) |
- For the company sometimes referred to as "Orient Line", see Orient Steam Navigation Company
Orient Lines was a cruise line specialising in exotic destinations that was in operation 1993—2008. The brand was founded in 1993 by Gerry Herrod, who had previously owned Ocean Cruise Lines.[1] Orient Lines was sold to Norwegian Cruise Line in 1998,[2] and ceased operations ten years later.[3]
Contents |
[edit] History
The history of Orient Lines began in 1991 when Shipping & General Ltd, owned by Gerry Herrod, acquired the cruise ship Alexandr Pushkin from Far Eastern Shipping Company.[1] Herrod had previously operated Ocean Cruise Lines, but had sold that venture in 1990 to Paquet Lines.[4] During the next two and a half years the Alexandr Pushkin was almost entirely rebuilt and emerged in 1993 as the Marco Polo for the new Orient Lines brand, embarking on a varied program with cruises all around the world.[1][5][4]
In 1998 Norwegian Cruise Line acquired the successful brand.[2] In 1999 NCL itself was acquired by Star Cruises.[6] Following this NCL's Norwegian Crown joined the Orient Lines fleet in May 2000 under the name Crown Odyssey.[7] In March 2001 Star Cruises announced that their SuperStar Aries would be joining the Orient Lines fleet in mid-2002 as the Ocean Voyager. This plan was shelved however,[5] and in 2003 Orient Lines reverted to operating with just one ship when the Crown Odyssey returned to the NCL fleet.[5][7]
On 4 June 2007 NCL announced that the Marco Polo had been sold to the Greece-based Global Maritime, with a delivery date on 31 March 2008. This meant the end of the Orient Line brand, as no ship was brought in to replace the Marco Polo.[3][8] Global Maritime in turn chartered the Marco Polo to the Germany-based Transocean Tours.[3]
[edit] Ships
| Ship | Built | In service for Orient Lines | Gross Register Tonnage | Status as of 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marco Polo | 1965 | 1993—2008 | 22080 GRT | Since 2008 sailing for Transocean Tours |
| Crown Odyssey | 1988 | 2000—2003 | 34242 GRT | Since 2008 sailing as Balmoral for Fred. Olsen Cruise Line |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Ship Profile: MV Marco Polo. Cruisepage.com. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
- ^ a b Ward, Douglas (2006). Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships 2006. Berlitz, page 384. ISBN ISBN 981 246 739 4.
- ^ a b c Newman, Doug (2008-03-31). The End of Orient Lines. At Sea with Doug Newman. Retrieved on 2008-04-01.
- ^ a b Jay Carson. Marco Polo: History. Sealetter Cruise Magazine. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
- ^ a b c Ian Boyle. Orient Lines (1992-2008). Simplon Postcards. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
- ^ (Swedish) Micke Asklander. Kloster Cruise / Norwegian Cruise Line. Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
- ^ a b (Swedish) Micke Asklander. M/S Crown Odyssey (1988). Fakta om Fartyg. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
- ^ NCL Announces Farwell Season of Marco Polo. Orient Lines press release. Retrieved on 2007-12-11.
[edit] External links
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