Cruise Industry News can reveal that the Louis Group will rename the 1968-built Orient Queen, and deploy her on a charter program to South America next winter as the Louis Aura.
This coming summer, the ship – sailing as the Orient Queen – is based in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The 820-passenger ship will be renamed as the cruise line continues to focus on its Hellenic roots, according to a spokesperson.
“In this respect, it was decided that Orient Queen will be renamed Louis Aura. Aura in Greek Mythology was the divine personification of breeze,” said the spokesperson. “It was also decided for the renaming to take place this coming fall in order to avoid confusing passengers already booked to sail with her as Orient Queen this coming summer.”
The ship will be chartered to a South American company for its winter cruise program. \
Meanwhile, the Louis Cristal will be chartered next winter for a Cuba program.