Louis
plc acquired the cruise ship Orient Queen from Orient Queen
Shipping Inc., the cruise line said.
In a release, Louis
said that the acquisition was part of a Louis Group strategy to
upgrade and expand its fleet and services.
The 15,781-ton Orient
Queen underwent a $22 million refurbishment in 2005, Louis said.
The ship accommodates 850 passengers in 370 cabins. Calling it a
luxury vessel, Louis said its amenities include plasma TVs in the
rooms, two swimming pools, Jacuzzis, a casino, several restaurants
and lounges, a beauty salon, health center and a
heliport.
Formerly Festival
Cruises' Bolero, the vessel was built in 1968 by Germany shipyard
Seebeck Werft. The Orient Queen recently made headlines when it
helped evacuate U.S. citizens from Lebanon during Israel's war with
Hezbollah. The ship ferried hundreds of people from Beirut to
Cyprus.
With the addition of
the Orient Queen, the Louis fleet has 13 cruise ships. Louis said
that this addition enhances its position in the Mediterranean and
enables the company to further establish its presence in the
European cruise market.
To contact the
reporter who wrote this article, send e-mail to Johanna Jainchill
at [email protected].