Reservations for Summer 2009

Orient Lines has been flooded with calls since its 2009 Europe schedule and new vessel Marco Polo II were announced last week by Wayne Heller, the line’s president and CEO. Cruise Web sites and blogs have also been buzzing with chatter.

“It is very gratifying that there is so much excitement for our 2009 Europe itineraries,” said Heller. “Our loyal past guests, former employees and travel agents and tour operators from around the world have contacted us anxious to learn more aboard our new Marco Polo II.”

Orient Lines will officially begin accepting reservations on Monday, Sept. 8. The line started taking bookings today – a soft opening – to ensure all computer and phone systems are functioning properly. The line’s Web site www.orientlines.com is also up and running, effective today.

Exciting Europe itineraries from 11 to 37 days are priced from just $2,399 per person, double occupancy. New for 2009 is free air from 20 North American gateway cities, two-for-one fares and a free shore excursion in selected ports – a first for the cruise line.

Itinerary highlights for 2009 include Baltic cruise-tours that include a hotel stay in Berlin, plus visits to such lesser-known destinations as Villagarcia and Bilbao, Spain; Bordeaux and Hornfleur, France; Murmansk, Russia; Sarande, Albania; and Barrow-in-Furness, England.

Orient Lines reservations office is open seven days a week. Travel agents can call toll-free 800-333-7300 from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday.

Official Press Release Orient Lines dated 3rd September 2008.

2009 Europe Cruises Preview

Amalfi, St. Tropez, Mykonos, Mallorca, Monte Carlo and Santorini, just their names alone evoke romantic images of the picture-perfect summer holiday. In 2009, Orient Lines will visit all of them in addition to a host of new ports in the Baltic, Black Sea, British Lake District, Croatia, North Cape and Northern Europe.

Cruise vacations from 11 to 37 days are priced from $2,399 per person, double occupancy, including free air from selected North American gateway cities. New for 2009, the line will enhance each itinerary with a free shore excursion in selected ports.

Highlights for 2009 include cruise-tours which begin or end with an included hotel stay in Berlin, plus calls at the lesser-known ports of Szczecin, Poland; Villagarcia and Bilbao, Spain; Bordeaux and Hornfleur, France; Murmansk, Russia; Sarande, Albania; and Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, England.

The destination cruise specialists at Orient Lines have carefully planned each new itinerary to include overnight stays on board ship in selected ports. With two full days, guests have time to see the pyramids from Port Said, shop for bargains in Istanbul and Lisbon, explore the classical treasures of Rome and Athens, or visit St. Petersburg and Copenhagen.

Orient Lines’ new 650-guest Marco Polo II is larger in size yet carries nearly 200 fewer guests than the brand’s former flagship. “At nearly 25,000 tons, Marco Polo II is the perfect size for cruising in Europe,” said Wayne Heller, the line’s president and CEO. “She’s large enough to offer every four-star comfort, yet small enough to enter the snug harbors and intimate coves where mega-liners cannot go.”

Aboard Marco Polo II guests enjoy the intimacy and charm of a European boutique hotel while offering the comforts of a modern cruise liner. The vessel has 325 staterooms, complete with such amenities as en suite mini-bar, color TV, personal safe/safe drawer and built-in hair dryer. Suites also feature sitting areas, twin sinks, bidets and terry cloth bathrobes.

Public rooms include a single-seating main dining room, as well as a French and Italian brasserie; grill room serving prime meats, chicken and seafood; and Lido deck buffet serving regional specialties. The vessel also has several bars and lounges, cinema, casino, Internet center, library, card room, duty-free boutiques, outdoor and indoor pools, spa and modern gymnasium. Enrichment lecturers and gentlemen social hosts are also on board to enhance each voyage.

The ship’s deck officers are European, the social staff American and British, and the hotel staff – perhaps the line’s greatest asset – are Filipino.

Official Press Release Orient Lines dated 27th August 2008.

Orient Lines New Flagship

Orient Lines, the destination cruise specialists, has announced that its new flagship – Marco Polo II – will carry 650 guests in 325 staterooms, two thirds of which are outside. The cruise liner, which most recently sailed as Maxim Gorkiy, will make her maiden voyage for Orient Lines in April 2009.

Marco Polo II is rich in character and history with proven ocean-going capabilities, including an ice-strengthened hull, deep draft, Denny Brown fin stabilizers, bow thrusters and ample provisional stores, essential for cruising to all seven continents. The vessel has a classic interior décor and handsome exterior profile with a raked bow and traditional cruiser stern.

At nearly 25,000 tons Orient Lines’ new flagship is larger in size then Marco Polo yet carries nearly 200 fewer guests. The added space translates to a greater number of public areas and amenities including an indoor spa pool and four separate dining venues, six bars, a show lounge, cinema, casino, library, Internet center, card room, fitness center, spa and outdoor pool. Marco Polo II will maintain the line’s proven service formula with European officers, American and British social staff, and a friendly and gracious Filipino crew.

“We’re delighted to introduce Marco Polo II to Orient Lines’ large and loyal family of past guests,” said Wayne Heller, Orient Lines’ president and CEO. “In the very near future we will announce her maiden voyage and inaugural cruise schedule.”

Marco Polo II was originally built in 1969 for the German Atlantic Line. She underwent multi-million-dollar refurbishments in 1988 and 1995 and will receive additional enhancements to be fully compliant with Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) 2010 requirements.

Official Press Release Orient Lines dated 20th August 2008.

Orient Lines New Ownership

Orient Lines, the destination cruise specialist founded by British cruise and tour entrepreneur Gerry Herrod in 1992, has now been acquired by another cruise industry visionary, Wayne Heller. Heller’s Origin Cruise Group LLC purchased the award-winning brand from Star Cruises Limited.

Heller is the founder of Orlando-based cruise retailer Cruises Only, which became the largest seller of cruises in North America. His great love for cruising fueled his desire to preserve Orient Lines and its unique destination-oriented worldwide itineraries.

Much like the former company’s beloved Marco Polo, the “new” Orient Lines plans to acquire vessels that are rich in history and character and that can carry 600 to 800 passengers in great comfort and safety to all seven continents.

Moreover, the line’s hallmark cruise-tour product, which seamlessly incorporates pre- and/or post-cruise hotel stays and orientation sightseeing tours, distinguished guest lecturers and local cultural highlights, where possible, will be maintained.

“In the coming weeks we will announce our new flagship, followed by inaugural cruise itineraries and the senior management team,” said Heller. “As for details of the onboard product, consumers and travel agents can expect the same friendly and gracious service that has endeared legions of intrepid travelers to Orient Lines over the past 15 years.”

For more information about Orient Lines, please call a travel agent, or Orient Lines directly toll free at (800) 000-0000 or visit www.orientlines.com.

Official Press Release Orient Lines dated 26th June 2008.

Norwegian Dream Gets a Rude Awakening

Norwegian Dream got a rude awakening today when she hit a barge in Montevideo (Uruguay). The result was damage to the bow of the ship, which will be repaired in port before the cruise can continue.

The port was closed for a few hours as 5 containers and a few new cars were retrieved from the water. This affected Celebrity’s Infinity and Orient Lines Marco Polo, Infinity was unable to leave the port on time, while Marco Polo was unable to enter the port.