#CruiseClassic – Belfast Harbour welcomed Louis Aura (1968/16,781grt) on her first visit to the port yesterday having cruised in Scottish waters, the caller been the first of three new visitors due this season to the port, writes Jehan Ashmore.
Louis Aura is operated by Cypriot based Louis Cruises which normally operate services in the eastern Mediterranean throughout the Aegean Islands, Turkey and Cyprus.
Only last year the veteran vessel was renamed for further service in a career that stretches almost five decades ago. The former Orient Queen underwent a major refit in 2005 to extend the vessel's prospects that originally stemmed from serving service in the Caribbean. This involved Miami-Bahamas and Jamaica. She would later become Bolero for service elsewhere.
Launched as the Starwind, she followed predecessor and trendsetter Sunward ordered for Norwegian Caribbean Line to serve the U.S. market in which her '60's styling in terms of exterior is clearly evident of that era.
Note the glazed three-deck wraparound sun lounge feature above the bridge. This is where the Panoramic and Zeus Decks form double bar areas overlooking the sheltered sun-bathing area and swimming pool on Hera Deck (as above click link for aerial photo). Such a feature leads to the streamlined twin funnel uptakes that sweep along the profile forming a rather aerodynamic superstructure.
Together they were pioneering in design from the distinctive hand of Danish naval architects Knud E. Hansen A/S. notably world renowned for their cruiseships and car-ferries.
The call of Louis Cruises to Belfast is a boost for the cruise sector visiting Northern Ireland and of subsequent newcomers due this season, Berlin and Club Med 2.
Overnight Louise Aura departed Stormont Wharf and arrived into Dublin Port this morning on what was also her debut call to the capital. She berthed in Alexandra Basin, where Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Black Watch which too had called from Belfast had previously made a mid-week call.
