Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV), celebrating the company's 10th Anniversary announced the launch of a dedicated vessel and product for the French market, the launch of a new brand, as well as the opening of a new sales office in Marseille France.
CMV Astor which has been serving both the German and Australian cruise markets with complementary summer programs will be redeployed to the French market and commence operations in Le Havre on May 1, 2021. To meet the increasing demand on the German market under the TransOcean Kreuzfahrten brand of the Group, she will be replaced by a bigger ship with details to be announced soon.
In 2021, MS Astor will be renamed Jules Verne operating year-round under the CMV (Croisieres Maritimes et Voyages) brand from both Marseille and Le Havre. The maiden 2021-2022 French season includes 18 sailings to the Mediterranean and Black Sea, Northern Europe, Christmas and New Year voyage to the Canaries. The winter season concludes with a 123-night Round the World voyage sailing from Marseille on January 8 and returning to Le Havre on May 11, 2022.
The boat's renaming will be held at a special overnight Gala Event in Le Havre on April 29, 2021, followed by a second Gala Event in Marseille on May 16.
The Jules Verne ship will be exclusively dedicated to the French-speaking premium cruise market and operated as an adults-only ship, excluding the themed family cruises during the school holidays.
CMV Astor, which is currently on the German market, will offer a farewell summer 2020-winter 2021 season via a 127-night Round the World cruise sailing back to Hamburg on April 14, 2021. She will then operate on a farewell 9-night cruise before undergoing minor refurbishment and re-livery works.