A brand new cruise line

[saltydog28]

As I was cruising the web I came across the website for easyCruise.com
I was wondering what posters thought of this concept.
I think it would be rather like getting on and off a bus. And I would find that orange color a bit hard on the eyes.
Take care,
Pat. ------I don't know how to hyper-link.

[kryos]

As I was cruising the web I came across the website for easyCruise.com
I was wondering what posters thought of this concept.
I think it would be rather like getting on and off a bus. And I would find that orange color a bit hard on the eyes.

They have that EasyJet company too, I think. They are featured on AirlineUK, if you've ever watched that show on the A&E channel. Bright orange planes with their 800 number plastered on the sides. Supposedly, they are really cheap, but not much in the way of ammenities. They get you there in one piece, and that's it.

Cruising with them, I would imagine, would be no different. Ala carte for everything. Fine for the backpacking crowd who are looking to do things on the cheap, but not my cup of tea. I want the "total experience" and thanks to the good lord, can afford to pay for it once or twice a year.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[dakrewser]

"...Food and beverage will be available from the ship's restaurant and shop on a "pay as you go" basis so that passengers can purchase according to their appetite and budget. Although passengers will be given fully made up cabins, house keeping will be an optional extra."

The Motel 6 of the high seas! :)

[localady]

Boy I think I will pass! Given the prices of cruises these days, I would think you could incure more charges on an "ala carte" line like that vs. you traditional cruise ship. Sure it looks cheap at first, but you start adding all those costs and wowza, you have paid more than a regular cruise. (Unless you are like some of our CC'ers who prefer to sail with blender, fishing pole and bbq!!!!:eek: ):cool:

[jhannah]

No, thanks! Seems like you would only be using the ship for transportation. That's not my idea of a cruise. But ... different strokes for different folks!

[elmorejj]

I have flown EasyJet twice between Luton England and the main land of Europe. The last time was this year between Paris and Luton (London). The fare was 34 pounds, $60 approx. The flight left early both ways as we had all pax on board. Seats were comfortable, everything incl. coffee was for sale, crew were friendly and lots of fun. I have no problem flying them but would never sail on EasyCruise. Can`t imagine making my own bed on a ship!!....jean :cool:

[lknick]

EasyCruise is a division of EasyJet, an Irish company. They will ply European waters on short cruises. Initially, the concept contained a 'bring your own sheets' clause, but that has been eliminated.

The concept was announced last fall. I don't recall which ship will be their first, but have a recall that it will be an obsolete ocean ferry.

BTW, EasyJet is just what they advertise...transportation. I use it from London to Geneva and find it gets me there ....for less than half BA's price.

[sail7seas]

Think I'll pass, thank you.

[dougnewmanatsea]

EasyCruise is a division of EasyJet, an Irish company.British, not Irish. Ryanair is Irish.

I don't recall which ship will be their first, but have a recall that it will be an obsolete ocean ferry.The ship is THE NEPTUNE (not sure what her easyCruise name will be), the former RENAISSANCE II.

This is not to be confused with one of the familiar R-class ships, R ONE through R EIGHT, rather this is one of the original, small "yacht-like" Renaissance ships built from 1989 through 1992, in two groups of four sisters. RENAISSANCE I through IV were built in 1989 and 1990; the improved V through VIII were built in 1991 and 1992.

Interestingly, the former RENAISSANCE IV, an identical sister to THE NEPTUNE, is now CLELIA II - the yacht of easyGroup founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou and his family members. (She is also sometimes chartered for cruises of a very un-easyCruise sort.)

The little Renaissance yachts were actually rather nice ships, but the former I and II were sold to an operation out of Malaysia in the late 1990s that was allowed to use the Renaissance name, logo, etc. Eventually Renaissance pulled out and the company was renamed Universal Cruises and the ships became THE MERCURY and THE NEPTUNE. The company failed not long after and the ships had been laid-up in Malaysia for some time. By this time, from what I understand, the ships were in quite poor condition.

EasyCruise bought THE NEPTUNE earlier this year. Since the ship would have required a major refit already, that would seemingly make her a good candidate for an operation whose ship - no matter what ship it was - would have to undergo a pretty massive conversion to meet their needs.

Incidentally, THE MERCURY is now LEISURE WORLD 1 for Singapore-based New Century Cruise Lines, operating basically as a gambling boat off Singapore.

[jazzsea]

Although not for me, I think this is an interesting concept. Thanks, Doug, for the explainations.

The moving hotel room concept would appeal to people who would normally book train trips and passenger/car ferries. Or, as mentioned in an early post, backpackers.

[Globaliser]

EasyCruise is a division of EasyJet, an Irish company.Neither is a division of the other. Both companies are "members" of the "easy" group, but they are standalone businesses. The only real thing that all the "easy" businesses have in common is that they were started by Stelios Haji-Ioannou, that he (and his family) have or had some stake in them, and that they have a licence to use the "easy" brand.

In this respect they are a bit like the companies in the Virgin group, very few of which are formally related to each other in any other way or dependent on each other.

BTW - although easyJet is sometimes cheaper than BA, often the difference in price is much less than they would like you to think. It always pays to shop around. And to think about how much extra you are prepared to pay for the creature comforts and higher service levels.

Back to easyCruise: It's really a glorified ferry. If the company genuinely thinks that it is going to compete with the mainstream cruise lines, it has misunderstood the nature of the mainstream cruise product. But I don't think that Stelios is that stupid - he knows what his market really is, but he also knows how he can get some extra free publicity for his product.

[Krazy Kruizers]

easyCruise - definitely not for us.

When I am on vacation - no making beds, changing sheets, doing laundry, cooking meals.

And I want clean towels after a day at the beach, etc.

[elmorejj]

Thanks Doug and Globaliser for clearing up who owns the Easy companies. I didn`t want to jump in and get into an argument with lknick......jean :cool: