Louis Cruises Announces Exciting New Itineraries and Destinations for 2014

Leading Mediterranean cruise line Louis Cruises nearly doubles ports of call for 2014 with introduction of nine new destinations including: Samos, Milos, Syros, Kos, Ios, Symi, Chios, Cesme and Bodrum.

Louis Cruises is pleased to unveil exciting new cruise programs for the 2014 season. Having launched an exclusive new cruise product in 2013 reflective of its Hellenic roots, the company is nearly doubling the number of ports it calls at for 2014 with the introduction of nine new destinations including: Samos, Milos, Syros, Kos, Ios, Symi, Chios, Cesme and Bodrum. Louis Cruises’ 2014 itineraries will sail, not only to the world-renown, popular favorites of Mykonos, Patmos, Rhodes, Heraklion (Crete) , Santorini, Istanbul, Kusadasi, but also to the lesser-known gems exclusively presented by Louis Cruises.
These captivating 2014 Mediterranean cruise programs will be performed onboard Louis Rhea and Louis Olympia and will offer passengers Louis Cruises’ signature “Kalimera” experience – which translates to a ‘good day’ experience all day and night both on board as well as on shore. Comfortable, welcoming and with a distinct Hellenic ambiance, these two cruise ships will embrace travelers with the lifestyles and experiences of Greece, the Greek isles and Turkey.
“From our delicious cuisine, featuring flavors from local destinations, to the human-scale intimacy of our vessels and the warm-hearted hospitality of our entire crew… from the unique destinations we present to the unparalleled shore excursions that take you to explore each place authentically… Louis Cruises presents our signature ‘Kalimera’ experience – meaning you’ll enjoy a splendidly ‘good day’ all day and night…every day throughout your cruise in the Eastern Mediterranean,” said Nicholas Filippidis, Louis Cruises’ Director of Product Development in North America.
Named after the Goddess of fertility, comfort and ease, Queen of heaven, and mother of Zeus, Louis Rhea will be opening the 2014 season on March 14, 2014 with the classic 3- and 4-day cruises from Piraeus up until April 18, 2014 when the Louis Olympia will set sail. Beginning April 18, the Louis Rhea will be operating a special 7-day cruise titled “Pilgrimage Voyage”, an itinerary that will be repeated on October 31, 2014. On April 25, 2014, another special sailing will be performed by the Louis Rhea titled “3 Continents.” Throughout May, June, September and October, the Louis Rhea will be performing the classic and popular 7-day “Iconic Aegean” itinerary from the port of Lavrion, Athens which is as follows:

•     7-day Iconic Aegean: from May 2, 2014 until June 27, 2014 and from September 5, 2014 until October 24, 2014 (all dates included) calling at Istanbul, Kusadasi, Santorini, Aghios Nikolaos/Crete, Rhodes, Symi, Chios, Mykonos and Lavrion

Every Friday during July and August, Louis Cruises introduces brand new itineraries titled Idyllic Aegean. More specifically, the Louis Rhea will offer the following itineraries:

•     3-day cruise: from July 4, 2014 until August 29, 2014 (both dates included) calling at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Samos, Milos and Lavrion
•     4-day cruise: from July 7, 2014 until September 1, 2014 (both dates included) calling at Syros, Cesme, Bodrum, Kos, Ios, Santorini and Piraeus

These two outstanding itineraries can be combined into a unique 7-day cruise for those who would like to visit all the aforementioned destinations, since no destination is repeated. Specifically, the 7-day itinerary is as follows:

•     7-day cruise: from July 4, 2014 until August 29, 2014, calling at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Samos, Milos, Lavrion, Syros, Cesme, Bodrum, Kos, Ios, Santorini and Piraeus

Named after the famous ancient sanctuary and birthplace of the Olympic Games, as well as after Queen Olympia, mother of Alexander the Great, the Louis Olympia will take over sailings from the Louis Rhea and operate the 3- and 4-day “Iconic Aegean” itineraries from April 18 and 21 respectively. The “Iconic Aegean” itineraries are as follows:

•     3-day Iconic Aegean: from March 14, 2014 until October 24, 2014 (both dates included) calling at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion/Crete, Santorini and Piraeus
•     4-day Iconic Aegean: from March 17, 2014 until October 27, 2014 (both dates included) calling at Mykonos, Kusadasi, Patmos, Heraklion/Crete, Santorini and Piraeus

With 25 time-honored years in cruising throughout the Mediterranean and 75 years of award winning history in tourism, Louis Cruises offers an unparalleled cruise experience onboard its celebrated fleet of destination-friendly cruise ships. Louis Cruises takes extra care to design itineraries that include the best ports in their best seasons allowing ample time to enjoy their uniquely individual charms coupled with meticulously planned shore excursions for a truly insightful look into each destination. The line’s vessels transport passengers, both literally and figuratively, to the lands of philosophers and dreamers — from the grandeur of Ancient Greece and the legendary Greek Isles to the treasures of Turkey and beyond! Sailing with Louis Cruises, travelers can expect a complete destination experience, timely arrivals, flexible and imaginative itineraries, smooth embarkation and disembarkation, fascinating shore excursions, and unparalleled Greek hospitality for a lifetime of enriching memories.
Louis Cruises’ itineraries can be booked on-line at LouisCruises.com or through most major tour operators in the U.S. and Canada. For further information or to order the company’s brochure call (877) 568-4787, send an e-mail to cruising(at)louiscruises(dot)com or visit the company’s web site at: LouisCruises.com.
About Louis Group:

Louis Group was founded in 1935 and has over the decades evolved into a leading tourism, hospitality and travel group in the Eastern Mediterranean. Louis Hotels owns and manages 19 four and five star hotels in all of Cyprus’ resorts, including the Hilton Park Nicosia and the Greek islands of Corfu, Zante, Crete, Mykonos and Rhodes. With a fleet of five cruise ships, Louis Cruises sails from Piraeus, Istanbul and Kusadasi to the Greek islands and Turkey’s most enticing destinations. For more information on Louis Group and its subsidiaries, please visit our websites at: LouisHotels.com, LouisCruises.com, and MykonosTheoxenia.com.

Windstar announces four routes for new ship

Passengers will explore the Black Sea, the Corinth Canal and other corners of the Mediterranean region on Windstar's newest ship, Star Pride.
The yacht-style cruise line has announced 2014 itineraries for the vessel, beginning next May.
The 212-passenger, 106-cabin ship is the first of three identical vessels acquired by the company. Each is 440 feet long, 63 feet wide and has six passenger decks.

Star Pride will offer four European itineraries new to the company:
- Seven-day Black Sea outings depart Istanbul June 13, 20 and Sept. 8, 2014, visiting five new ports including Yalta, Sevastopol and Odessa, Ukraine; Constanta (Bucharest), Romania; and Nessebar, Bulgaria.
- Nine-day Athens-Istanbul sailings visit Monemvasia, Chania, Santorini and Rhodes, Greece; and Bodrum, Kusadasi and Cesme, Turkey. Dates: June 4 and 27; Aug. 30; Sept. 15 and 24; and Oct. 3, 12 and 21, 2014.
- Seven-day trips from Rome tour the French Riviera including Cannes, France; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Portoferraio, Portofino and Portovenere, Italy. May passengers can add a Grand Prix Formula One racing package. Dates: May 21 and Aug. 6, 2014.
- Nine-day trips from Venice or Athens explore the Adriatic, visiting Hydra, Corinth Canal, Delphi/Itea and Zakynthos, Greece; Butrint, Albania; Kotor, Montenegro; and Dubrovnik and Hvar, Croatia. Dates: July 6 and Aug. 21, 2014.
In addition, the ship will sail five other routes already used by Windstar. For more information visit WindstarCruises.com.
This item was written by Larry Bleiberg, former Travel Editor of The Dallas Morning News and Coastal Living magazine. Bleiberg is serving as Guest Editor of The Cruise Log while USA TODAY Cruise Editor Gene Sloan is away.