Commodore Holdings To Purchase Crown Dynasty

Commodore Holdings Limited will be purchasing, subject to final documentation, the 820-passenger cruise vessel Crown Dynasty, which it presently charters. The ship will be bought from Helsinki-based Neptun Maritime for $86.2 million and the transfer is expected to take place in January, 2000. The Crown Dynasty has undergone a $5 million upgrading program and has started its sailings under the Crown Cruise Line brand, a newly formed upscale brand of Commodore Holding Limited. CCLN will market the 4 1/2 star elegant cruise ship to those seeking a somewhat more sophisticated and higher quality cruise experience at a moderate price. The Crown Dynasty entered service in 1993 and is known in the industry as an elegant vessel with a full array of passenger amenities. According to the Guide to Cruises, "It is one of the prettiest of the 1990's with a sleek contemporary profile. Its warm interiors and quality furnishings convey a deluxe small ship feeling with modern cruise ship facilities.'' As of December 18, 1999, the Crown Dynasty will sail every Saturday on 7-night cruises from Aruba to five "hidden harbor'' ports of call visiting at Barbados, St. Lucia, Grenada, Bonaire, and Curacao, before returning to Aruba the following Saturday. Marketing and sales activities will be a joint activity between Crown Cruise Line and Apple Vacations. Non-stop air service is being offered by Crown from Ft. Lauderdale and Tampa. Apple Vacations will provide direct service from Philadelphia, Baltimore, New York, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit, and Chicago. On May 10, 2000, the Crown Dynasty will start its exclusive operations from Philadelphia and Baltimore to Bermuda for twenty-two 7-night cruises.