New Cargo-Passenger Service Opens Between New York and Europe

A new cargo-passenger route is now being offered by Hamburg-Süd using the 35,770 deadweight ton container carrier Commander, sailing every 21 days from New York’s Global Container Terminal in Bayonne, New Jersey direct to Hamburg and then returning to New York via Antwerp, with crossing times of 9 or 10 days. Operating in Hapag-Lloyd’s Atlantic Express Shuttle (AES), the Commander also offers the opportunity for a 21-day round trip. Non-US and Canadian citizens require a full US visa for entry into any US port as this service is not included in the ESTA Visa Waiver Scheme, but a visa is not required for boarding a one-way voyage from New York to Europe.

This photo by Robert Wright shows the Commander departing New York in July 2011

Built in 2004, Commander offers a twin-bedded Owners Cabin and a Single Cabin for passengers. The ship is air conditioned and features table tennis, a fitness room and outside swimming pool. The fare from New York to Hamburg, and in the reverse direction from Antwerp to New York  is €1,250 (about £1,135 or $1,785) per person in the Owners and €1,115 (about £1,015 or $1,590) in the Single, while the fare for the full 21-day round voyage is €2,510 (about £2,285 or $3,580) per person in the Owners and €2,195 (about £1,995 or $3,130) in the Single. Boarding in New York for the full round voyage allows for a stay of about 3 to 4 days in Europe.

The Commander departs New York on Friday, September 23, from Hamburg on Wednesday, October 5, and from Antwerp on Saturday, October 8 and then every three weeks thereafter on the same days.

For further details please call Miri Lopusna at the Cruise People Ltd in London on 020 7723 2450 or e-mail cruise@cruisepeople.co.uk.

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