EasyCruise to Debut Summertime River Cruising in Europe

EasyCruise will launch a second vessel this summer, when the EasyCruiseTwo begins weekly river and canal itineraries in Holland and Belgium July 14.

The 240-foot-long ship will carry 100 passengers and will be operated by a franchisee. Formerly the Frontera, the riverboat is owned and operated by Boonstra River Line and will be renovated and restructured to EasyCruise standards.

Chairman Stelios Haji-Ioannou said that the company is negotiating with two other potential franchisees to run EasyCruise ships in the Greek Islands and on the Nile River.

Like the EasyCruiseOne, the ship will sail in the early morning to allow people to spend their days and nights in port, and passengers can join and leave the cruise when and where they like along the route.

Food is optional and available a la carte. The average cabin cost will be about $12 per person, or $24 per cabin. In a departure from EasyCruiseOne, all cabins on the ship will be outfitted with windows and face the outside decks.

Mr. Stelios said that bringing the EasyCruise concept to river boating will introduce a younger generation to a genre where the average cruiser, he said, is north of 65 years old.