![CMV to enter French cruise market](http://media.assettype.com/bairdmaritime%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F191121-5-CMV.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
Essex-based Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) has confirmed that it will launch a new service that will cater exclusively to French cruise passengers.
CMV's Croisières Maritimes et Voyages brand will begin operations out of Le Havre and Marseille during the 2021-2022 French cruise season. The brand will also have a dedicated vessel, the 1986-built 500-passenger Astor, which will be renamed Jules Verne in April 2021 before it begins year-round operations out of France in May of that year.
Astor is currently serving the German cruise market under the TransOcean Kreuzfahrten brand. Upon its redeployment to France, it will be replaced in Germany by a larger vessel.