EasyCruise Goes Gray

The brainchild of serial entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou (also behind low-fare airline EasyJet), EasyCruise made waves in 2005 when it launched no-frills Caribbean cruises at rock-bottom prices. Since then, the orange cruise ships have expanded to the Mediterranean and the canals of Holland and Belgium.

Now, after customer feedback, they're getting a makeover. Instead of the blinding orange exterior, vessels will be gray with orange trim and will feature a more streamlined, boomerang-shaped logo. The cabins are also getting a toned-down color scheme, and all cabins on EasyCruiseOne will be fitted with windows. A large canopied sundeck with two hot tubs and a revamped café, bar, and restaurant are also in the works.

EasyCruiseTwo sails the rivers of Europe with a new look (Courtesy EasyCruise) [enlarge photo]

While the look is going more upscale, prices are staying low. EasyCruiseOne is sailing the French and Italian Riveria through October, and will then debut a new Caribbean itinerary: St. Maarten, St. Barts, Anguilla, St. Kitts, Nevis and Antigua starting at $17 per person per night, December 8, 2006 to April 12, 2007. EasyCruiseTwo sails weekly from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, Antwerp, Brussels and back, with rates starting at $13 per person per night, August 11 to November 4, 2006. To book, call 011-44/207-895-651-191 or visit easycruise.com.