The former chief executive of Cruise & Maritime Voyages has bought some of the Essex-based line’s assets, the administrators confirmed today.
Christian Verhounig, the head of CVI Group, has acquired customer databases, booking systems and intellectual property, as well as cars and office furniture.
Joint administrator Paul Williams said he believes the sale ‘provides an opportunity for CVI, through its owner Christian Verhounig, to continue to pursue funding opportunities to potentially relaunch CMV’s unique cruise operations to its dedicated customers.’
Mr Verhounig said: ‘The global pandemic had a devastating impact on CMV’s once flourishing, expanding and profitable business. Having developed a much-loved brand over the past decade and hugely popular, value-based, niche no-fly cruise product, we have been simply overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and pleased to re-launch the business.
‘This endorsement across the industry and customer base alike has been a rich source of encouragement and, together with my previous management team, we are working hard to plug the huge market gap vacated by CMV’s untimely insolvency.’
He added: ‘The acquisition of the UK commercial assets provides a positive first step and we believe demonstrates our firm commitment and optimism to return much stronger and to work alongside our loyal suppliers and creditors to also help mitigate the pandemic impact.’
The six ships which the company operated – most of them now moored at the home port of Tilbury – belong to banks and other companies. Last week it was announced that the last of the crews were on their way home, leaving only a small number of workers to keep the fleet operational.
The cancellation of previous advanced customer bookings remains unaffected by the sale. Further details on how affected customers can make a claim can be found on Cruise & Maritime Voyages and TransOcean Kreuzfahrten websites.
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Wonderful News! We can’t wait to cruise with CMI and what we feel will be as honest and dedicated owners, crew and office staff as we did with the wonderful CMV.
All our best of luck and good wishes . From Mel and Sharon Porter
This is great news good luck to the new company. CMV was a wonderfull cruise line and I am sure any new company will be managed in the same excellent way.
Very promising news, the failure of CMV was due to the coronavirus restrictions and no blame can de attached to the management. I think it’s going to be some time before anyone can cruise again , I will be eagerly awaiting for news of the new company
My wife and I have cruised with CMV from its very early days and it was our favorite cruise line despite having sailed with many others.We were Platinum members of the Columbus Club and I was very proud to become one of the cruise lines guest lecturers and help to support this excellent value for money friendly cruise line. Please come back using the same formula. Excellent news!
We would love to see CMV return we had some lovely times on the Columbus. We really enjoyed everything about it including the crew who were so good and polite. Our cabins were always spotless we never had one complaint just very sad they had to go.
We really hope if they return we will be notified.
You have seen that a new line has launched?
https://shipmonk.co.uk/2021/05/13/a-new-ambience-start-up-british-cruise-line-called-ambassador-aims-to-fill-the-gap-left-by-cmv-with-its-first-ship-sailing-in-2022/