Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will pull MS Columbus out of its fleet in May 2012, a year earlier than expected, by mutual agreement with Conti, the Munich-based group of companies and owner of the ship. All cruises offered up to May 2012 will be taking place on the shipas scheduled. The ship is to be replaced in Spring 2012 by her successor the Columbus 2.
The ship's departure results "from the strategic business development in the premium segment for Hapag-Lloyd Cruises," the company said. The successor ship will offer a passenger capacity of 698 people.
The Columbus will be offering its world tour 2011/2012 as planned. At the end of that voyage on May 7, 2012 in Nice, France, the ship will depart the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet. Only two published cruises following the world tour will be cancelled. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises will be offering special deals for re-booking onto the Columbus 2 for any customers who have already booked these two cruises.
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