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Round The World Passenger / Cargo Service Still Available

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cru...@cruisepeople.co.uk

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Sep 2, 2009, 2:08:34 PM9/2/09
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Round The World Passenger/Cargo Service Still Available

01 Sep 09

It was announced in mid-June that the long-standing Bank Line 120-day
round-the-world passenger/cargo service was being ended, followed by
the news in August that three of the four ships engaged in this
service had been sold for scrap. However, Kevin Griffin, managing
director of London-based The Cruise People says “this is not the end
of the line for round-the-world passenger travel by cargo ship and we
have a wonderful alternative in modern ships that spend more time in
ports than the usual container ship.”

That alternative is the 126-day round-the-world route of the Hamburg-
based Rickmers Pearl String service, which operates nine sister ships
in a twice-monthly service from Hamburg, Antwerp and Genoa to ports in
Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Japan, then across the Pacific to the
US Gulf and East Coasts before returning to Europe. Additional calls
may be made in India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam or Taiwan, subject
to cargo requirements.

Much more modern than the Bank Line ships, the Rickmers Hamburg and
her eight sister ships are multi-purpose heavy-lift vessels that
entered service in 2002/04. Capable of speeds up to 19.5 knots, they
carry seven passengers and up to 29,750 tons of cargo. Masters and
officers are for the most part Polish and Croatian and crew
International. These “Superflex” vessels carry four heavy cranes and
transport project and other unusual cargoes that often mean longer
port times than in conventional container ships.

Passenger accommodations include a 320 sq ft (30 m2) Owners suite, a
195 sq ft (18 m2) double cabin and three 160 sq ft (15 m2) single
cabins. Each ship has a passenger lounge with televison, DVD player
and a small library, as well as coffee making facilities, and meals
are taken together with the officers in their dining room. There is an
outdoor swimming pool and an open area with deck chairs and also a
large recreation area featuring full length windows that face both
forward and aft and can be used in inclement weather and also for
birthday parties.

Fares for the full 126 days start at Euros 8,680 (about £7,890) per
person double, Euros 9,920 (about £9,020) for single passengers or per
person in the Owners suite, plus Euros 375 (about £340) for dues and
taxes. Passengers qualify for a 10% reduction if bookings are made a
year in advance and 5% for reservations six months before departure.
Part passages are also available, with fares based on the number of
days spent on board, for example from Antwerp to Singapore, Shanghai
or Houston, or from Houston to Hamburg, Singapore or Shanghai or from
Singapore back to Hamburg.

-Ends-

Notes

For further information and availability for Rickmers Pearl String
please contact The Cruise People's Dessy Sajewicz at 020 7723 2450,
Freephone 0800 526 313 or de...@cruisepeople.co.uk or visit their web
site at www.cruisepeople.co.uk.

For further details please contact Kevin Griffin at The Cruise People
on 020 7723 2450 or at cru...@cruisepeople.co.uk.

The Cruise People specialise in niche cruise markets including ultra-
luxury, small ship cruising, expedition voyages and freighter
travel.

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