Easy Cruise

[hammybee]

Have you noticed the latest arrival to the CC boards, Easy Cruise? I went. I read. I hit their website.

 

These are small sparse ships targeting the 20-40 crowd and those young at heart. A typical intineray is 7 days, and you can hop on and off with a minimum 2 night stay. They summer in the Med. and winter in the Caribbean, where it runs about $16.20 a night.

 

Basic cabins look like pods but are adequate for those looking for a bed/bath. There is no daily cabin service but it can be purchased for a fee. They run mid week specials like HAL does, for laundry. The big thing is maximizing port time and it is expected most passengers will dine on shore. One can however, buy a meal, on the ship, similar to a TGIF or Starbucks experience.

 

I thought it a curious concept and can see the appeal for a truly untapped market: Any thoughts?

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Yes, I think the Easycruise board has been around for about a month? I think it's a brilliant concept, and I wish the line every success. I, however, have absolutely no desire to try that brilliant concept, as I am well into the process of bodily disintegration and decrepitude that requires luxury, service, and a fair amount of inertia.

 

Karin

[Copper10-8]

Some more info:

EasyCruise started operations in the spring of 2005. The man behind the idea is Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the “serial entrepreneur” who started European low-fare airline EasyJet (and 14 other EasyCompanies, including EasyPizza and EasyCinema). Stelios, the industry knows him by his first name, wants to reinvent the cruise business. It is an unlike traditional cruise experience.



The line's first ship is called Easy Cruise One, originally built for the defunct Renaissance cruise line, the ship is hop-on/hop-off, with its 86 cabins booked in two-night blocks, not for particular voyages. Easy Cruise One, formerly Renaissance II, was acquired in 2004 and received a refit at Keppel Shipyards in Singapore. Easy One is painted bright orange. The ship sails in the summertime in the Mediterranean and in wintertime in the Carribean.



The atmosphere is very bare bones, with none of the razzle-dazzle that has become the norm. The cabins have the same feel as at the upcoming EasyHotel in London—they’re an efficient 90 square feet, with a double bed, shower area, sink, and lavatory. There’s housekeeping service, but only if you’re willing to pay a surcharge. Conspicuously missing are the extras found on traditional ships—casinos, rock-climbing walls, floor shows—although there will be a pay-by-the-meal café, sports bar, and tapas bar.



Instead of emphasizing the shipboard experience, Stelios is making the ports the main attraction. It’s part of his strategy to attract a younger demographic—commitmentphobes in their 20s and 30s who might be leery of a weeklong cruise. Sailing happens in the early morning for six hours or less, so that the passengers can go on land, have a night of fun, then sleep it off in their cabins.

 

EasyCruise forged a second franchise agreement with Cyprus-based cruise operator Louis plc, in a deal that could boost the EasyCruise brand to eight vessels by 2011. The two companies said they will jointly approach Neorion Holdings, the Greek shipyard group, to increase the number of newbuilds in the letter of intent already announced by EasyCruise from two firm and two optional to three firm and three optional vessels.The new agreement means if all the newbuilding contracts and options are exercised, the total fleet operating under the EasyCruise brand will reach eight vessels by 2011. EasyCruise chairman Stelios Haji-Ioannou said Louis will provide exceptional operational know-how in the Eastern Mediterranean area and will allow easyCruise to grow more rapidly and cover more geographical areas faster.The additional ships will be ordered by Louis. Louis will have the option to use either new ships that will be constructed pursuant to the specifications of EasyCruise or the existing ships that will be upgraded to meet the said specifications

 

The agreement follows the first EasyCruise franchise deal, with the Dutch Boonstra River Line, that led to the launch of EasyCruiseTwo this month.

 

[Atomica]

I think that EasyCruise is an interesting concept and if I was looking to island-hop around the Med it might be a better choice than getting around by train or bus.

 

That being said, personally I view the ship to be just as much a destination as the ports, and I would probably never take an EasyCruise. I think it would seem more like an elaborate ferry than an actual cruise ship, and that's the turn off for me. I like that cruise/ocean liner feel.

[Ine]

Easycruise also just started with short rivercruises from/to Amsterdam - to/from Brussels with stops in Rotterdam and Antwerp.

 

http://info.easycruise.com/gb/splash/easyCruiseTwo.html

[Starbright]

Don't be fooled by Easycruise. By no stretch of the imagination could it ever be called "a cruise". It's what I would call a glorified ferry.

 

If you only want the absolute basics, ie a place to lay your head and have a shower, then it might be for you, but if you truly want a cruise experience then Easycruise is not it! :eek:

[Tricia724]

EasyCruise looks like something my friends and I would have had fun with in our early 20s, but at this point in my life, I can't even imagine doing it. Just being jammed in that compact little space would be bad enough, but, wow, all that orange!!!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

I noticed that they had been added to the one one section.

 

Clicked onto them. Got information similar to John's elsewhere - definitely not for us.

[elmorejj]

Not interested in EasyCruise, but have flown a couple of times on EasyJet while in Europe. My DD and I flew from Luton, England to De Gaulle Paris for the day, it cost $40 round trip, incl. taxes. The flight left early as all pax had boarded and arrived 40 mins later in Paris. Anything onboard hd to be purchased but there was absolutely nothing wrong with the flight, incl. seat size. I would fly them again in a heartbeat...........jean:cool:

[hammybee]

[.

The line's first ship is called Easy Cruise One, originally built for the defunct Renaissance cruise line, the ship is hop-on/hop-off, with its 86 cabins booked in two-night blocks, not for particular voyages.

 

The agreement follows the first EasyCruise franchise deal, with the Dutch Boonstra River Line, that led to the launch of EasyCruiseTwo this month(QUOTE]

 

I wonder what they will call their third ship:)

[the2ofus]

When I was in my early twenties I would have loved the chance to "take the water taxi" and get around the Med cheaply. Where were they then??!!!! I agree it is a great concept, just not for me.

 

Now, I can't even imagine being stuffed into a windowless room the size of a bathroom to spend eight or more hours, especially if I had been partying!!

 

Speaking of partying, I wonder how they handle the unpleasant housekeeping aspects if the cruiser chooses not to buy the housekeeping option and the cabin needs to be cleaned up? (We're talking the party-hearty age demographic here.)

[kryos]

Don't be fooled by Easycruise. By no stretch of the imagination could it ever be called "a cruise". It's what I would call a glorified ferry.

Easy cruise is transportation. That's it. But I think it's a good concept ... as long as you are aware that you are not booking a cruise ... but rather a bare bones budget hotel and transport between destinations.

 

If I ever wanted to see a bunch of islands or places in Europe, and wanted to do it cheaply ... Easy Cruise would clearly fit the bill. I think they're going to do well ... because they have a specific target market who will embrace their concept ... people who really want to "get into" the local flavor of the places they visit ... with long port stays ... and who are also on a budget and want to maximize their travel experience within that budget.

 

For me, though ... I doubt I'll ever sail Easy Cruise ... because my travel goals are not what they cater to. I don't care about "maximizing" my time in port. I want a relaxing, pampering vacation. Sure I like to get off the ship and see the places I visit, but I also like to be waited on, have entertainment at my fingertips, and have a comfortable place to lay my head at night. HAL suits those needs far better than Easy Cruise ever could ... so I'll stick with HAL.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[sail7seas]

Thanks for your great post, John. Really interesting.

Big Shocker........You won't be seeing me or DH on an EasyCruise Anytime soon. Correction. You won't be seeing us on an EasyCruiuse Ever!!! :D

 

 

[kiwichick]

My friend and I are in our early 30's and did EasyCruise along the French and Italian riverias in July last year. We loved it and wondered why people our age would choose one of the "oldies" cruise lines when there were other options.

 

However, this year we chose our cruise based on itinerary rather than cruise line and have just arrived home from the Roman Empire cruise on the Noordam. Our expectations of a sedate cruise with no nightlife couldn't have been more wrong - we meet a wonderful group of young and young-at-heart people and partied into the wee small hours every night. This was the best holiday of our lives and we will be returning to another DAM ship next year for a repeat experience! No more EasyCruise for us!!

[CCCM]

Niece (and possibly nephew from other sister) have already begun talking about the cruise I will take them on the summer of 2011 in Europe. Assuming they are around then, this may be one of the best options for us.

[hammybee]

However, this year we chose our cruise based on itinerary rather than cruise line and have just arrived home from the Roman Empire cruise on the Noordam. Our expectations of a sedate cruise with no nightlife couldn't have been more wrong - we meet a wonderful group of young and young-at-heart people and partied into the wee small hours every night. This was the best holiday of our lives and we will be returning to another DAM ship next year for a repeat experience! No more EasyCruise for us!!

 

If you have not already, hop on over to the HAL for Old Folk thread cause 1) it's funny and 2)there are still a few who think we are no fun.

[barante]

Thanks for posting all the information about EasyCruise. It's a great concept for a certain demographic niche market. When you are young (and in love either with someone you brought along or met on board) a shoebox-sized cabin without a window doesn't matter. A backseat of a car would do.

It will be very interesting to see how EasyCruise will do in the Caribbean. Unless they can arrange cheap air fares to connect with their sailings, they may not show much of a price advantage over cruises that regular cruise lines offer. However, if you are into island hopping and staying on various islands for a day or two, what a grat concept!

[Bramcruiser]

I can see where easycruise taps into the budget traveller in much the same way as Regent or Oceania goes after the luxury market. Given that though I do not think its any concept I care to try. I can't see myself staying at hostels or camping on my land vacations so think easycruise is not my ideal for a cruise. I am in my 40s, work too hard for my money and want to spend my few days off away from the office with someone pampering me, someone cleaning my room, someone else feeding me and with the ship being the destination just as much or more so than the ports of call. I might not need champagne luxury but do want some pampering. So I'll stick to the traditional concept of cruising for me.

 

Looking back, would I have done them in my 20s during my college years? The answer is still NO! Sorry but even back then its a concept I would have stayed away from. I think I was born old!

[newmexicoNita]

Don't be fooled by Easycruise. By no stretch of the imagination could it ever be called "a cruise". It's what I would call a glorified ferry.

 

If you only want the absolute basics, ie a place to lay your head and have a shower, then it might be for you, but if you truly want a cruise experience then Easycruise is not it! :eek:

I agree; the food will not be TGIF quality or Starbucks by any stretch of the imagination; it will be more like school cafeteria and the ships are as basic as they can be, probably better referred to as boats. This is not meant to knock them, I think it's a great concept, but I just hope no one thinks it is cruising by any stretch of the imagination except it moves through the water. I guess you could even say, going out on my dad's fishing boat when I was a kid was cruising also. NMNita

[hammybee]

I agree; the food will not be TGIF quality or Starbucks by any stretch of the imagination; it will be more like school cafeteria . NMNita

 

Do you mean like..........zoo food?

[barante]

The all-important question remains unanswered: What is EasyCruise's policy on BYOB liquor or wine. I'm sure reefers are okay, but how about drinks?

[Scrumpy]

At first, this concept did not appeal to me at all. In fact, it seemed like it'd be a somewhat unpleasant experience. I've thought about it for several months and I must admit that it is growing on me now, especially for the Med. We had a lovely 2 week honeymoon in Greece, but spent the majority of it on one island. If I could go back now and island-hop all over without having to waste daylight hours, that might be a whole lot of fun. Part of the appeal of the Med is the FOOD, so as long as I could find something edible onboard for breakfast and a cup of coffee or tea, I think this could be a pleasing alternative to a conventional land vacation. Note that it is not necessarily a great alternative to a cruise, though. Also, they have a few of the nicer, bigger rooms and the extra per diem cost is pretty low. I imagine that getting one of the best cabins and adding daily housekeeping would still be very reasonably priced and you'd get the advantage of long days in port on top of it. It's a potential win-win. Nothing on the agenda yet, but something that is now more appealing than I would ever have expected when I first heard of Easy Cruise.