easyCruise is sold to Greek shipping company Hellenic Seaways

I have just received confirmation that a Greek ferry company has acquired EasyCruise from EasyGroup. This is the company founded by Stelios Haji-Ioannou.

easyCruise has been acquired by Hellenic Seaways in a deal which includes the brand and the line's 574-passenger ship, the EasyCruise Life, which has been operating in Greece.

Buyer Hellenic Seaways currently operates a fleet of 32 fast ferries in Greece. Since its inception, EasyCruise has moved closer to being a traditional cruise line, as it has rolled back many of its original features.

Haji-Ioannou stepped down as EasyCruise CEO last year, remaining as nonexecutive chairman and appointing Fotis Kalatzis as CEO. Kalatzis was chosen to preside over what was to be an expansion initiative.

"We now have an offering that is carving its way into a niche area, offering the best of Greece in one cruise. We have a great brand which is getting rave reviews, and now is the time to push forward and grow the business," Haji-Ioannou said at the time.

This is a cruise blog entry by Phil