With Phoenix Reisen’s 380-passenger expedition ship Alexander von Humboldt returning to Swan Hellenic as Minerva in 2008, the German firm has chartered the 470-passenger Jules Verne from Club Cruise, and will use her as Alexander von Humboldt II to operate its 2008 expedition cruise program.
The ship, built in 1990 as Crown Monarch for Crown Cruise Line, spent 1994 to 2006 as a gambling ship, first as Nautican in Singapore and then as Walrus (later marketed as Neptune) from Hong Kong. In 2006 Sea Containers, the successor of the ship’s original owner, sold the ship to Club Cruise and from 2007 she was chartered to the newly-formed Spanish cruise line Vision Cruises for cruises from Valencia. It is unclear what will happen to Vision Cruises when it loses its ship in 2008.
Although not an expedition vessel, the relatively small size and maneuverability of Alexander von Humboldt II should help make her a success in her new role.
Club Cruise already charters one ship, Albatros, to Phoenix Reisen. It is also charters Astoria to Transocean Tours and Van Gogh to Travelscope.
