In her original classic condition as KUNGSHOLM

Veteran Clyde-built liner replaces SEA DIAMOND
Before she starts with The Scholar Ship, the old KUNGSHOLM is to take up sunken vessel's itinerary

Louis Hellenic Cruises has chartered an additional vessel as a temporary replacement for the M/V SEA DIAMOND, which went aground off the coast of Santorini and sank earlier this month.

The Chief Executive of Louis Hellenic Cruises, George Stathopoulos, announced today that the cruise line has leased the  OCEANIC II (until recently she was MONA LISA) from April 30th through May 28th, 2007. The replacement vessel will be performing 3 and 4-day cruises to the Greek Islands and Turkey during that time period.

The 790-passenger vessel has 397 spacious cabins (292 outside, 105 inside) all equipped with televisions, safe boxes, hairdryers and all other amenities of a modern cruise ship, plus 68 of the cabins also have refrigerators. The maximum capacity utilizing upper and lower berths is 994.

The 28,891 gross registered tonnage ship is 660 feet long and features 8 passenger decks, 4 passenger elevators, 2 outdoor and 1 indoor swimming pool, a sauna and a massage parlor. She has 3 restaurants, 4 lounges, 4 indoor bars, 1 outdoor bar and a 300-passenger capacity theater. There is also a full-service fitness center, hair salon and a fully equipped hospital. The OCEANIC II is equipped with Denny Brown stabilizers, can cruise at a maximum speed of 21 knots and has 417 crew members. The vessel meets all updated SOLAS requirements.

"The OCEANIC II is a handsome and classic style ship, yet still modern in design" Stathopoulos said. She offers spacious public rooms and cabins with beautiful wood panelling, emphasizing her Scandinavian heritage.

"Within a couple of weeks, we plan to announce a new addition to our fleet” Stathopoulos said. He also added that the lease of the OCEANIC II and the efforts underway reaffirm the cruise line’s commitment to maintain a major posture in the cruise industry and its leading position in the Eastern Mediterranean. Louis Hellenic Cruises currently operates 5 vessels (including the OCEANIC II), whilst its mother company, Louis Cruise Lines operates another 8 cruise vessels, 5 of which are under long-term charter to major European tour operators.

The vessel is the ex KUNGSHOLM built by the famous John Brown Clydebank shipyard in 1966 for Swedish America Lines. In her long career she has been a P&O ship operating as SEA PRINCESS and then as VICTORIA. In 2000 she appeared with a Union Castle funnel whilst on charter for the centenary revival of that famous line. Latterly she operated as the MONA LISA, owned by Leonardo Shipping. Before this announcement it was reported here that she was to become an educational cruise vessel with The Scholar Ship with cruises starting in September.

For details of her role after she has finished her time with Louis Cruises, please see here