Renovated Thai Cruise Ship targets luxury market

A renovated cruise ship, Ocean Princess, is to set sail next month for leisure cruises around the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand. Ocean Princess Group Co., Ltd. spent US$5 million on the German cruise ship, and renovated all the cabins to five-star hotel standards.

The largest cruise ship sailing under a Thai flag, the 122-metre long Ocean Princess has a capacity of 6,092 tons and can carry up to 377 passengers in 150 cabins.

Ocean Princess ticket prices range from US$300 to US$700 depending on the cabin choice and the ship’s itinerary.

Ocean Princess plans to cruise the Andaman Sea from November to May, and the Gulf of Thailand between May and October.

Five Trips a month will be available, Ocean Princess will departure from and arrive at Phuket’s Pier at Tablamu. A typical three-night and four-day-cruise could depart for Koh Surin and Koh Similan, Wonder Sea, Emerald Cave, Koh Tarutao with more than 6 alternatives excursion programs to select from.

Ocean Princess expects to generate US$6 million in sales during its first year in service and anticipates an average occupancy rate of 60 percent allowing the ship to break even within two years.