New French Cruise Line launched with former Holland America Ship
The new French cruise line launches named Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC) and will operate a former Holland America Line cruise ship.
Compagnie Française de Croisières (CFC) was officially launched today, September 6. The new cruise line will be operational with its first cruise ship from February 2023, sailing under the French flag.
CFC will be sailing from two French ports, operating alternatively from Le Havre on the Atlantic coast in Normandy and Marseille on the Mediterranean coastline.
Cruising Becoming Big Business In France
Over the last few years, several French cruise companies have been seeing significant growth, with Ponant being the frontrunner with multiple expeditions cruise ships, small luxury cruise vessels, and icebreakers. However, a larger ship flying the French flag sailing from France was missing.
This is the gap that Clément Mousset and Cédric Rivoire-Perrochat jumped into with their cruise brand “Compagnie Française de Croisières.” The duo aims to bring back the golden age of Maritime travel, planning to offer longer cruises with extended stays in ports of call.
Officially launched today, September 6, the cruise line’s first cruise ship will sail in February 2023 from Le Havre in Northern France. As with other smaller cruise lines launched lately, such as Ambassador Cruise Line, the French cruise line will only be homeporting in French ports, allowing guests to avoid airports and embark close to home.
Clément Mousset and Cédric Rivoire-Perrochat: “We want to perpetuate the tradition of long-distance travel and once again offer French customers long cruises and stopovers, which allow them to better discover the destinations and to have time to enjoy the ship.”
“We are going to facilitate transportation and allow the French to leave from their homes, other than for the classic itineraries in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, which are almost always the same,” the two founders of CFC explained to Mer et Marine.”
Former Holland America Line Ship Becomes Renaissance
The Renaissance, a 629-cabin cruise ship flying the French flag, is, in fact, the former Holland America Line cruise ship Maasdam. Built in 1993 by Fincantieri in France, the vessel was sold to Greek operator Seajets at the start of the pandemic and renamed MS Aegean Myth.
Earlier this year, Compagnie Française de Croisières purchased the former Statendam-class cruise ship for a reported $30 million and renamed her Renaissance.
The new cruise operator plans to market the 55,575 gross tons cruise ship between the giant mass market cruise ships such as Costa and MSC Cruises and luxury cruise operators such as Ponant, Seabourn, and Silversea. Renaissance has space for 1,258 passengers and around 580 crew members onboard.
Northern Europe, Iceland, and the Canary Islands
On February 10, 2023, Renaissance will sail on her maiden voyage. From Le Havre, the ship will sail towards Norway to show guests the Northern Lights. The cruise will be fifteen days in length, returning to the Normandy port again on February 25 for another trip to Norway.
After that, the ship will sail to Western Europe, visiting Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, an itinerary that includes two-day stops in Amsterdam and Antwerp. Other cruises from Le Havre include voyages to the Baltic, the Channel Islands, the UK, the Faroe Islands, and Iceland.
From September 2023 onwards, the ship will be repositioning to Marseille, the home port that also hosts the company’s headquarters, for a series of Mediterranean voyages. Whether the cruise line intends to purchase more vessels and grow further is unknown at this time.
Related News.
Cyprus Maritime Innovation takes Centre Stage at SMM Hamburg 2026
Underscoring its expanding role as a premier international hub for cutting-edge maritime technology and sustainable shipping, the Republic of Cyprus…
Trump seeks to refill US oil reserve with Venezuela deal but faces long delay
U.S. President Donald Trump said on the 30th (local time) that he would refill the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve, which has been depleted with…
US Navy Official visits South Korean Shipyards in private
With U.S. President Donald Trump pushing a plan to allow overseas construction of U.S. warships, attention is focusing on whether the building of…
SES and De Boer Marine expand collaboration with FlexMaritime deployment across Global Markets
SES, a leading space solutions company, and De Boer Marine, a leading provider of top-quality marine equipment and maritime connectivity services,…
New ESG guidance to help maritime industry turn sustainability into commercial advantage
New framework helps shipowners and ports align ESG strategy with access to capital, charterer expectations and long-term asset value. Maritime…
Britannia P&I Club analysis finds four in five crew deaths linked to illness rather than accidents
New report highlights cardiovascular disease as leading cause of fatalities and raises concerns over mental health risks among younger seafarers.…
The Swedish Club launches new Loss Prevention podcast, Knot Another Lesson
The Swedish Club has launched Knot Another Lesson, a new podcast exploring the practical lessons, emerging risks and operational challenges shaping…
Lloyd’s Register appoints Jens Grunenberg as Senior Representative for Germany
Lloyd’s Register has appointed Jens Grunenberg as its Senior Representative for Germany, effective 1 September. Based in Hamburg, Grunenberg will…
Indian Register of Shipping sets sights on Hamburg for European Expansion
Indian Register of Shipping, a leading international classification society and full member of the International Association of Classification…
MOL completes Merger of 6 Ship Management Companies
Unifying Management of Over 200 Vessels and Strengthening Safety Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, announced that it has completed the integration of the MOL…
Subscribe to our newsletter!
if you dont want to swim alone in the ocean of news, sign up for the newsletter, and you will receive daily all the important news of world shipping!
