EasyCruise Holds Back Maiden Voyage of EasyCruise Life

EasyCruise blamed labor strikes in Greece for having to delay the maiden cruise of its newest ship, the EasyCruise Life, which was set to depart on Saturday.

The general labor strikes “have meant that finishing touches to the ship will not be completed in time for the first sailing,” the no-frills cruise line said in a statement.

EasyCruise said that it is contacting all passengers and will offer them refunds of their cruise fare and any travel expenses they have incurred. In addition, passengers will be offered a free future cruise, the line said.

The 12,711-ton ship was built in 1981, and prior to being purchased by EasyCruise, operated as a ferry in Egypt. It has been undergoing an extensive refurbishment.

Paul Ellerby, EasyCruise sales and marketing director, said that the line was going to host its first travel agent familiarization on that sailing, and that the fam will be rescheduled as a result of the delay.