easyCruise announces new franchise agreement, one week after launch of easyCruiseTwo

posted: 21.08.06

easyCruise today (Monday 21st August) announced its second franchise agreement, with Cyprus based cruise ship operator Louis plc. This new agreement will cover the Eastern Mediterranean regions and follows swiftly from the launch of the company’s first franchise vessel – easyCruiseTwo - with Dutch company Boonstra River Line, which left Amsterdam on its maiden voyage on 11th August.

easyCruise and Louis plc will now jointly approach Neorion Holdings, the Greek shipyard group to increase the number of ships covered by the letter of intent already announced by easyCruise from two firm and two optional to three firm and three optional vessels. The announcement means that if all the new building contracts and options are exercised, the total fleet operating under the easyCruise brand will reach eight vessels by 2011.

easyCruise Chairman, Stelios Haji-Ioannou commented: “The easyCruise concept is changing the perception of cruising. The flexible and affordable cruise itineraries are opening up cruises to consumers who previously would never have thought about a cruise as a credible holiday option. Our goal is to make cruising the holiday option for consumers looking for an alternative to a beach holiday or city break with the widest range of destinations, from exotic islands and exclusive resorts to trendy cities and historic towns. It is a revolution in the cruise market and we are confident from the launch of easyCruiseOne, which is sailing the French and Italian Riviera before heading to the Caribbean and now easyCruiseTwo, in Holland and Belgium, that this is a viable holiday option and one that is set to change cruising as we know it.”

“We began our franchise interests with easyCruiseTwo, which has worked very well for us. With this new agreement with Louis plc it will mean that easyCruise will not only benefit from their exceptional operational know-how in the Eastern Mediterranean area, where they are the clear market leader, it will also allow easyCruise to grow more rapidly and covering more geographical areas faster. Eight vessels by 2011 is a great growth rate, and through Louis we can achieve this.”

The first franchise of the easyCruise brand, saw the launch of easyCruiseTwo which sails from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brussels and back. easyCruise will explore further franchise opportunities in other global markets.

Louis plc

Louis plc is the leading tourism organization in the Eastern Mediterranean, actively involved in cruising as well as the hotel industry.

The Louis fleet comprises of 12 cruise ships, operating cruises from the ports of Piraeus, Genoa, Marseille, London and Limassol. Louis Cruise Lines has departures from the ports of Genoa and Marseille to the West Mediterranean, North Africa as well as to the Eastern Mediterranean. From the port of Piraeus, Louis Hellenic Cruises sails to the Aegean islands and East Med. Three of the cruise ships of Louis Cruise Lines are under charters to Thomson Cruises of TUI AG and one to Transocean of Germany.

Louis Hotels owns and operates 27 four and five star hotels, 15 of which are located on Greek islands and 12 in Cyprus, including the two Hilton hotels in Nicosia. For more information on Louis Group and its subsidiaries, please visit our website on www.louisgroup.com

easyCruise Ltd

easyCruise commenced operations in May 2005 with a successful Mediterranean programme on easyCruiseOne. This was followed by a Caribbean programme based in Barbados. easyCruiseOne is currently repeating its Mediterranean itineraries and will commence a new Caribbean itinerary based in St Maartin in December.

The programme brings a new style of cruising to a new market. With an average age in the thirties, itineraries enable passengers to enjoy destinations day and night whilst also being able to enjoy the facilities of the ship’s bars and restaurants.