| Astor to be based in WA next summer

The UK’s Cruise &
Maritime Voyages plans to
expand into the Australian
market and provide
Fremantle with its only
home-ported ship.
CMV made the surprise announcement
in Europe last night that it would deploy
its premium cruise ship, the 620-passenger Astor,
to Western Australia from December 2013.
The move is expected to be enthusiastically
welcomed on the west coast after this year’s
sudden cancellation of the whole season of
Classic International Cruises’ Athena and P&O’s
withdrawal from the state.
Astor will operate 15 cruises from Fremantle
throughout the Australian summer, with CMV
also set to open a dedicated Sydney sales office.
The ship will depart Rome on 5 Nov bound for
WA and will complete the local season with a
northbound around-Africa cruise departing
Fremantle on 1 April 2014.
Christian Verhounig, chairman and CEO of CMV
UK, said: “We are extremely pleased to be
entering the Australian cruise market and to
introduce a new era of luxury ocean cruises on a
premium ship from Fremantle Port to the loyal
WA cruising market.
“The success of the mid size traditional ship
business model, since it was launched in 2004,
demonstrates that this niche sector has a
significant place in the Australian cruise industry.”
Extensively refurbished in 2010, Astor has
previously visited the east coast of Australia as
part of a world voyage in 2011.
The seven passenger decks include four
restaurants, five lounges, two swimming pools
and a golf driving range.
Astor is scheduled to arrive in Fremantle from
Rome on Wednesday, 11 Dec 2013 and has been
confirmed for an initial schedule of three
Australian summer itineraries.
For a limited introductory period, CMV Australia
is offering early booking deals for the inaugural
2013/14 summer cruising season, with Saver
Fares of up to 25% off full published fares.
Booking open next week via travel agents and
at www.cmvaustralia.com.au.