Tag Archives: CMV

Fred Olsen’s small ship ethos ‘could appeal to ex-CMV passengers’

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CMV Becomes the Third Cruise Line To Go Out of Business in a Month

The boss of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines believes the line’s small ship ethos means it is well-placed to appeal to former guests of Cruise & Maritime Voyages.

Speaking before it emerged that former CMV boss Christian Verhounig had acquired a number of the assets of the failed line, Fred Olsen managing director Peter Deer said it remained to be seen if a “CMV2” would emerge.

But in the meantime, he said Fred Olsen had already seen interest from former CMV passengers.

He told a Travel Weekly webcast: “It was really sad about CMV. They’re not located very far from where we are, and we’re pretty sad for the teams that worked so hard to grow the brand over the last 10 years.

“They’ve grown the brand, which really focused on a more budget style cruising – they were known to sell cruises at a lower price level than ourselves and many other UK operators, so I suspect there will be customers who have sailed with CMV who are still looking for a budget style of cruising.”

Deer added: “What we find when we talk to our customers, one of the reasons they come with us is it’s all about going on smaller ships and being known as a name rather than a number. So I really don’t know if the customers of CMV are more thinking about budget or it’s all about small ship cruising.

“I suspect it’s a combination of both and for sure, we’re going to see some transfers over from CMV for people who say we’re a cruise line which has a similar itinerary style as CMV did, it’s still small ship cruising.”

He said: “I’m sure all the other cruise lines will see the reflection of the demise of CMV in their bookings going forward. We’ve seen a few so far, but it’s all early days at this stage.”

Administrators confirm Cruise & Maritime Voyages asset sale

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ITF assists in repatriating seafarers from CMV ships in the UK | seatrade- cruise.com

Christian Verhounig, the former chief executive of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, has bought several assets from the collapsed business.

The Essex-based cruise line entered administration last month after failing to secure additional funding.

Verhounig has established a company called CVI Group Limited (CVI) and plans to restart operations in the future.

A statement on Friday from the administrators confirmed reports of the sale, which completed on August 27.

“Paul Williams, Phil Dakin and Edward Bines of Duff & Phelps, Joint Administrators of Cruise & Maritime Voyages Ltd (CMV), together with sister companies South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd, Independent Coach Travel (Wholesaling) Ltd and Viceroy Ltd (together with the Companies), are pleased to announce that a sale of certain assets of the Companies to CVI Group Limited (CVI),” said the statement.

The assets include customer databases; computer systems, including websites and booking systems; office furniture and equipment; and information technology infrastructure.

CMV’s administration did not include its fleet of six ships, which included Marco Polo and Columbus.

Verhounig, the owner of CVI, said: “The global pandemic had a devastating impact on CMV’s once-flourishing, expanding and profitable business.

“Having developed a much-loved brand over the past decade and the hugely popular value-based niche no-fly cruise product, we have been simply overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and pleased to re-launch the business.

“This endorsement across the industry and customer base alike has been a rich source of encouragement and together with my previous management team, we are working hard to plug the huge market gap vacated by CMV’s untimely insolvency.

“The acquisition of the UK commercial assets provides a positive first step and we believe demonstrates our firm commitment and optimism to return much stronger and to work alongside our loyal suppliers and creditors to also help mitigate the pandemic impact.”

Paul Williams, a joint administrator at Duff & Phelps, commented: “We have worked hard since being appointed to secure a sale of the business and assets of the companies.

“Regrettably, given the devastating impact of the global pandemic on the entire travel industry, with a focus on the leisure cruise sector, this has not been possible in this instance.

“However, I strongly believe that this asset sale not only represents the best value for the companies’ creditors that was achievable in challenging market conditions, but also provides an opportunity for CVI, through its owner Christian Verhounig, to continue to pursue funding opportunities to potentially relaunch CMV’s unique cruise operations to its dedicated customers at some point in the future.”

Cancelled bookings remain unaffected by the sale and details of how to claim refunds are available on Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ and TransOcean Kreuzfahrten’s local websites.

Former Cruise & Maritime Voyages boss plots course for a relaunch

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Former Cruise & Maritime Voyages boss plots course for relaunch

The former boss of Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) has bought the collapsed cruise line’s customer database and booking systems in a bid to relaunch it, reports Sky News.

The Essex-based business entered administration last month after failing to secure additional funding.

Sky News reports that “a number of assets” belonging to CMV have been sold to a new vehicle established by Christian Verhounig, its former chief executive.

The deal is expected to be announced on Friday.

Sources told the broadcaster that Duff & Phelps, the administrator, had sought to sell the business and wider assets of CMV and several sister companies but this had proved unsuccessful in an industry devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

CMV’s administration did not include its fleet of six ships, which included Marco Polo (pictured) and Columbus.

There are no passengers onboard any CMV ships when it collapsed, although the suspension of its programme as a result of the pandemic affected 50,000 passengers.

Paul Williams, the joint administrator at Duff & Phelps, told Sky: “We have worked hard since being appointed to secure a sale of the business and assets of the companies.

“Regrettably, given the devastating impact of the global pandemic on the entire travel industry, with a focus on the leisure cruise sector, this has not been possible in this instance.

“However, I strongly believe that this asset sale not only represents the best value for the companies’ creditors that was achievable in challenging market conditions, but also provides an opportunity for CVI, through its owner Christian Verhounig, to continue to pursue funding opportunities to potentially relaunch CMV’s unique cruise operations to its dedicated customers at some point in the future.”

Verhounig told Sky: “The global pandemic had a devastating impact on CMV’s once-flourishing, expanding and profitable business.

“Having developed a much-loved brand over the past decade and the hugely popular value-based niche no-fly cruise product, we have been simply overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and pleased to re-launch the business.

“This endorsement across the industry and customer base alike has been a rich source of encouragement and together with my previous management team, we are working hard to plug the huge market gap vacated by CMV’s untimely insolvency.

“The acquisition of the UK commercial assets provides a positive first step and we believe demonstrates our firm commitment and optimism to return much stronger and to work alongside our loyal suppliers and creditors to also help mitigate the pandemic impact.”

Sky News reported that a source said CMV customers whose bookings were cancelled as a result of the company’s administration would have to continue to seek compensation through the existing claims process.