CMA CGM offering cargo cruises

CMA CGM offering cargo cruises

   CMA CGM is offering vacationers the ability to ride on their containerships, including its new 13,800-TEU behemoths.

CMA CGM Christophe Colomb Photos ' Thierry Dosogne

   The French carrier said it had 690 passengers take cruises on its containerships in 2010.

   In a press release Tuesday it said it is offering genuine cruises aboard the biggest vessels in its fleet, including its flagship, the CMA CGM Christophe Colomb, which it said has a private deck and luxury cabins. A cruise on the ship costs 110 euros per day per person for a double cabin and 130 euros per day for single occupancy. Suite cabins are 130 euros per day per person for a double cabin and 150 euros per day for single occupancy.

   A number of shipping companies still offer passage on their ships. Norwegian company Ivaran Lines even went so far as to build a combination cruise-containership in 1988.

   According to an article on the World Ship Society Web site, the Americana had 52 cabins capable of carrying up to 88 passengers. The Americana operated between the United States and the East Coast of South America where ports congestion was a common problem, and the idea was that ships with more than 50 passengers would receive priority berthing.

   Ivaran later became part of CP Ships, and the Americana was purchased by Sinokor Lines of Korea. and was reportedly sold for scrap last year.