AN Essex based cruise line will be adding two more cruise ships to it's ocean fleet in 2021.

This year, Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV), are celebrating their 10th Anniversary by announcing the big news, which will see their fleet increase to eight cruise ships.

Pacific Dawn (tbr) at 70,285grt, with 798 passenger cabins and carrying about 1400 passengers will be deployed on the UK market in late May 2021, bolstering much needed capacity and cruising year- round alongside Columbus ex-London Tilbury.

Pacific Aria (tbr) at 55,819grt, with 630 passenger cabins and carrying about 1100 passengers will be deployed on the German market under the TransOcean Kreuzfahrten brand, with a much-needed increase in capacity cruising alongside Vasco da Gama and replacing the 580 passenger Astor. She is being re-named Jules Verne and will be re-deployed to the French market in May 2021.

Christian Verhounig, CEO said: “The introduction of two more ships to the global ocean fleet is the next exciting chapter of our strategic growth objectives.

"This will enable us to service increasing market demand for our traditional brand of cruising.

"We have now acquired five cruise ships in just five years and are firmly on course in carrying 200,000 passengers in 2021."

The new ship names will be unveiled later in December.

Chris Coates, Group Commercial Director, said: “These two fine cruise ships perfectly complement our existing fleet providing trade partners and consumers alike with much needed extra capacity.

"For 2020, we expect close to 70% of capacity to be sold by the year end, in line with expectations. This provides an ideal platform for the early introduction of new tonnage and opportunities for summer 2021 with the focus very much on higher yield business."