Louis Cruise Lines parent Louis plc has purchased the 50,764 GT, 1,742-berth Norwegian Dream and 40,876 GT, 1,462-berth Norwegian Majesty from Star Cruises for $218 million and $162 million respectively. Both ships are currently chartered by Star to Norwegian Cruise Line, in which Star has a 50% interest, and Louis will charter them back to NCL until November 2008 for Norwegian Dream and December 2009 for Norwegian Majesty so that they may complete their currently scheduled cruises for NCL.
The sale was first rumored in Lloyd’s List on 14 April, and the rumors were corroborated by Seatrade on 17 April. Seatrade also reported that International Shipping Partners had made a bid for the two ships on behalf of Clipper Group, whose cruise assets it managed, but at a lower price than Louis. The ships eventually sold to Louis for $2 million more than was originally rumored in Lloyd’s List — a total of $380 million for the two ships, up from $378 million.
Click here and here for my earlier coverage of this story. Click here to download a pdf of Louis plc’s press release. Star Cruises has not yet posted its press release on its web site.
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