CFC – Compagnie Française de Croisières, is a new French cruise company presented this week that is betting on the French premium market aboard Renaissance, the former Maasdam of Holland America Line.
Clément Mousset is the president and co-founder of the new company, along with Cédric Rivoire-Perrochat as chief operating officer.
The focus will be on a high-quality product with a French identity, and all cruises will depart from French ports. With this clear orientation toward the local market, all crew members will speak French, and it is unlikely that they will be open to other nationalities.
The ship begins operations in February 2023 with an itinerary departing from Le Havre and then moving to Marseille in September.
Most cruises will be 10 and 15 nights long, although they offer some shorter departures and a world cruise that will depart in early 2024.
As for the ship, the former Maasdam underwent a major refurbishment last in 2018 and was laid up between 2020 and 2022 as part of the Seajets cruise fleet, a series of cruise ships purchased during the pandemic and awaiting new homes in Greece. The ship has a capacity of approximately 1,258 passengers at double occupancy. Its new operators have announced that 100 cabins will be available for single occupancy at no extra charge. The ship requires an investment of around €10 million before commencing its itineraries and will depart from Greece in the coming weeks.
The naming ceremony is scheduled for February in Le Havre before its first cruise on February 10.
