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easyCruise = low-budget cruises


The inventor of easyJet, the British no-frills airline, is taking his idea to sea with a venture called easyCruise. At present the cruise industry is an all expenses paid trip which lasts a week (or specified length of time) where passengers embark at point A and then get off at point A at the end of the cruise. Typically round trip charter flights are included in the package. The result is that the cruise industry appeals only to wealthier, older customers who have time on their hands. easyCruise will un-bundle this package and offer rooms on board the ship on a night by night basis, so that customers can cruise for as many or as few days and nights as they wish. They will be expected to make their own way to the ship. The Mediterranean-based ship would set sail in the mornings, land at port in the late afternoon and stay though the night to give passengers the opportunity to eat and search out evening entertainment, gambling, bars and clubs on land. Food and beverage will be available from the ship's restaurant and shop on a "pay as you go" basis so that passengers can purchase according to their appetite and budget. EasyCruise will visit three countries and 14 cities in a 14-day round trip. The route will take in Nice, Barcelona, Majorca, Ibiza, Malaga, Corsica, Rome and Naples. Cabin prices will start at £29 a night

posted on March 29 2004 by Anders