Classic International Cruises’
seized ships have been sold,
while its founder’s sons have
held on to Princess Daphne.
After withdrawing at the last minute from its
Australian season, the Athena has emerged on
the other side of the world as the Astoria.
The CIC ship, which has been laid up since its
arrest in September 2012 in France, will soon
be moved to Lisbon, Portugal, where it has
been bought by local entrepreneur Rui Alegre.
From July, the rebranded ship is expected to
be chartered to Russia’s Royal Caravella Cruise
Lines and based for four months in Crimea,
Ukraine, for cruises to the Black Sea,
Mediterranean and Adriatic coast.
Cruise Weekly found the “cruises in Slavic
style” advertised on the line’s website, which is
promoting “complete Russian language service
on board”.
Astoria is not to be confused with Astor, the
very similar ship that is to be based in
Fremantle next season, filling the gap left
behind by the ex-Athena.
According to the ‘Ships and the Sea’ blog,
Athena is among four ex-CIC vessels that have
been sold by creditors to Mr Alegre.
Arion was relocated to Lisbon earlier this
month after it was released from foreclosure
proceedings, with Princess Danae soon to
follow, while Funchal is undergoing a major
refit after two years out of service.
The fifth ship, Princess Daphne, has been
bought back by Emilios and Alexander
Potamianos, who took over CIC after their
father, the now-defunct company’s founder
George Potamianos, died last year.
According to the Portuguese blog, the
brothers are now debt-free and plan to
relaunch the old-style vessel.
A new cruise management company,
Portuscale Cruises, has also been formed, with
an office in downtown Lisbon employing four
former CIC employees, while four “owning
companies” have been set up in Madeira to
take ownership of one ship each.
The majority of CIC’s staff and the ships’
crew are still unemployed and owed wages.
In November 2012, the five vessels were
seized due to unpaid bills by the European
division of CIC, leading to the voluntary
administration of CIC Australia a few days
before Athena was set to sail to Fremantle for
the 2012-13 summer season.
More than 5,000 Australians booked on 20
Athena cruises are seeking refunds for paid
deposits of 40%.
