Cyprus-based Louis Cruises will be operating only three vessels under its own banner during 2012. The Emerald (1958/23,428gt), which has been laid up in Eleusis Bay, near Piraeus since 2009, will be joined by Sapphire (1967/12,263gt) and Coral (1971/13,995gt), while The Calypso (1967/11,162gt) will only be available for charters. The company recently announced it was cancelling this winter’s Mediterranean programme for Louis Majesty (1992/40,876gt). She too, will be laid up pending the start of her Mediterranean season on 16 March 2012, when she resumes her three- and four-day programme from Piraeus to the Greek Islands and Turkey.Louis Cristal (1980/25,611gt) was due to undertake a winter charter to Cuba Cruise, but this has been set back a year in order to generate more marketing awareness. The vessel is also being laid up until 30 March, when she begins a weekly schedule from Piraeus every Friday, calling at Istanbul, Izmir, Mykonos, Heraklion and Santorini. Louis has not yet announced details of its plans for Orient Queen (1968/15,781gt). The company also owns Thomson Destiny (1982/37,773gt) and Thomson Spirit (1983/33,930gt).
