Monday 30 December 2019

Island Escape Cruises signs contract for newbuild expedition vessel

#expeditioncruising .



New Zealand-based boutique expedition cruise company, Island Escape Cruises (IEC), has announced it has signed a contract yesterday, 29 December 2019, to build a 56m, 32-passenger vessel designed by VARD of Norway. It is not clear if construction will also take place at VARD shipyards. Delivery in April 2021 is anticipated.

"With a helipad, tenders, eco-friendly propulsion, stabilisers and fabulous interior styling, she is going to set a new level for NZ and South Pacific cruising," said Island Escape Cruises' director Peter Bisset in a Facebook announcement. "[this ship is] Great for our market and already she has excellent forward business."

More details will be released in 2020.

Island Escape Cruises original vessel, Island Passage, was sold to Canadian-based, Maple Leaf Adventures, in 2018 at which time IEC was expecting to replace that vessel with a newbuild, "Windward Passage", for service as of December 2018.


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