Louis Cruise Lines has purchased the 1957-built, 14,173-ton, 530-passenger Mermoz from Costa Crociere for $6 million. Costa had sailed the ship on worldwide itineraries under the Costa Paquet brand for the French market, and had originally purchased the vessel for $6.9 million.
Louis – which is scheduled to take possession of the ship this November – plans to rename the vessel and find an operator who will take the vessel on charter.