dolphin cruise line seabreeze

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SS SeaBreeze

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SS SeaBreeze was a cruise ship that made headlines when its passengers were unloaded mid-way through their cruise and the vessel was put under arrest in Halifax Harbour. [1] Suspiciously, the ship then sank in international waters three months later. It was owned by International Shipping Partners [2] and insured for $20M when its value was estimated at $5–6M. [3] [4]

• 3 References
• 4 External links

History [ ]

This ship was built in 1958 by the Ansaldo Sestri Ponente shipyard in Italy as the Federico C . The ship was the first new ship built for the Costa Line . The ship was initially liner service between Genoa, Italy and Buenos Aires, Argentina via Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In 1966, she began service between Genoa, Italy and Florida, the Caribbean and Venezuela. The ship had a major refit in 1968, then added Caribbean cruises between trans-Atlantic trips. Federico C did cruises exclusively from 1972 to 1983, when the boat was sold. [5]

In 1983, Premier Cruises obtained the ship and named it the Royale ; it became the StarShip Royale' in the same year. In 1988, the ship was renamed the SeaBreeze when it was placed in service for Dolphin Cruise Lines . One year later, the ship was refurbished. Premier took possession of the ship when it acquired Dolphin in 1997. When Premier went out of business in September 2000, the ship was ordered to immediately cease operations. At the time, it was docked at a Canadian port.

Sinking [ ]

In December 2000, it sank off the coast of North Carolina/Virginia. when the ship's boiler allegedly broke off and damaged the ship. [6]

The investigation into the sinking of the Seabreeze I caused international concern, based upon numerous suspicious incidents, including the fact that the ship was likely to fetch only between $5 and $6 million for scrap, but had a $20 million insurance policy on it. The cruise ship sank in international waters flying the Panamanian flag, making Panama responsible for the investigation of the sinking of the boat.

The ship's captain told U.S. Coast Guard rescuers that his boat was in imminent danger of sinking as a result of its engine room being flooded in high winds and 25-foot seas. [7] At the time, the Coast Guard rescuers believed that it was highly unlikely for a ship that large to sink that quickly, and were astonished when the Greek captain demanded that all hands be extracted from the ship, instead of requesting salvage tugs and trying to tow it to shore for recovery. Subsequently, all 34 crewmembers were rescued; there were no passengers on board. [3] [4]

At the time of the sinking, Steven Cotton of the International Transport Workers' Federation in London stated that he wished that the ship, which went down 225 nautical miles (417 km) off the Virginia coast, had gone down 25 nautical miles (46 km) closer to the coast because that would have put the case in the hands of American investigators.

According to Cotton, "Panama's track record of carrying out comprehensive investigations into vessel sinkings is not very good." [8]

The vessel had just been purchased by Cruise Ventures III , a subsidiary of New York-based DLJ Capital Funding and was traveling from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Charleston, South Carolina. [7]

References [ ]

• ↑ "For sale: one cruise ship" . CBC News. 2000-10-24. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25 . http://www.webcitation.org/67D10vDWz . Retrieved 2008-05-09 .  
• ↑ "Crew rescued from sinking ship" . Dec 18, 2000 . http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2NNRAAAAIBAJ&sjid=um8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6418,6618857&dq=international-shipping-partners&hl=en . Retrieved 26 April 2012 .  
• ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Passenger Ship Disasters - Part 5" . Ships Nostalgia . http://www.shipsnostalgia.com/guides/Passenger_Ship_Disasters_-_Part_5#SeaBreeze_I . Retrieved 26 April 2012 .  
• ↑ 4.0 4.1 Pablobini. "SS Sea Breeze I (+2000) History" . August 12, 2010 . Wreck Site . http://wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?151179 . Retrieved 26 April 2012 .  
• ↑ Simplon Postcards: The Passenger Ship Website-Federico C
• ↑ SeaBreeze Sinks - cruise ship sinks off Virginia coast
• ↑ 7.0 7.1 Cruise ship sinks day after crew rescued
• ↑ "Cruise ship sinking may never be fully investigated" . CBC News. 2000-12-21 . http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2000/12/21/seabreeze001221.html . Retrieved 2008-05-09 .  

External links [ ]

• Review of the Seabreeze

Coordinates: 36°54′21″N 72°08′50″W  /  36.9059°N 72.1472°W  / 36.9059; -72.1472

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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

ss OceanBreeze

Southern Cross, Calypso, Azure Seas

Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines elegant ss OceanBreeze

In 1991, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines acquired Admiral Cruises who had no need for the Azure Seas being old tonnage. She was sold to Dolphin Cruise Line who was looking to add a third ship to their popular fleet consisting of Dolphin IV, and SeaBreeze I. The Azure Seas was now renamed ss OceanBreeze, and was given extensive renovations. Now registered in Aruba, ss OceanBreeze commenced seven night cruises around the Southern Caribbean and the Panama Canal . In 1996, she was relocated for cruising out of Florida , and New York .

Dolphin Cruises postcard of the OceanBreeze

Author’s private collection

Late in 1997, Dolphin, Seawind and Premier Cruises amalgamated. ss OceanBreeze continued her cruising duties under her new banner, but received bright new livery, featuring a dark blue hull, topped with a gold ribbon, and a dark blue funnel. She looked very impressive indeed, better than at any time during her past 54 years in service. OceanBreeze resumed her Panama Canal and Caribbean cruise service until early 1999, when the Ramada-owned Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines was created.

Links to our Photo Albums are located at bottom of this page  

IMC chartered the OceanBreeze from Premier Cruises and retained her livery, but replaced the Premier funnel logo with a white crown. Under Premier, her aft flanks had the name “Premier Cruises” painted on it. This was replaced with “Imperial Majesty.” The IMC product was to operate year-round two night cruises from Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau in the Bahamas . ss OceanBreeze departed on her inaugural cruise from Pt. Everglades on January 11, 1999 .

ss OcreanBreeze

From an IMC postcard

Due to the immense success of her short and affordable cruises, combined with excellent service, entertainment, and cuisine, Imperial Majesty decided to purchase the OceanBreeze outright on May 20, 2000 . In September, ss OceanBreeze received a complete refurbishment, which in the words of the IMC President, Mr. Arthur Pollack, would see her “restored to her original splendour, making her a truly classic ship, with a modern and tropical ambiance.” It is said that the ss OceanBreeze returned to her Ft. Lauderdale-Bahamas service with the well wishes of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, and she had sent her regrets for not being able to re-christen the ship. ss OceanBreeze continued her successful two night cruise duties to the Bahamas , until June 2003.

ss OceanBreeze is one of the last surviving ocean liners built by the legendary Harland & Wolff Shipyard and worth our rescue campaign!

Photograph is © copyright the Dutch Cruise Site

After four years of faithful service, IMC made a sudden announcement on June 3, 2003 . OceanBreeze was going to be replaced by another classic cruise ship, the Regal Empress (ex Caribe I, Olympia ). Mr. Arthur M. Pollack, President Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, LLC told the author on 10 October 2003, that OceanBreeze was sold for the following three reasons.

1… IMC needed to spend US$ 5 million to make her ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliant.

2… For short cruises, “The cost of operating a Steam Turbine vessel was prohibitive.”

3… IMC required a ship with “bow thrusters.” Thus, IMC decided on the option to purchase another classic ship that was on the market for what we might call at a bargain basement price at that time being the Regal Empress. She fitted all of the aforementioned requirements, saving IMC , according to Mr. Pollack, an operating cost of US$ 1.5 million a year.

It needs to be understood that OceanBreeze was not sold because of deterioration or mechanical failures, for she was in excellent condition, and described as “ready for trade.” OceanBreeze was also in possession of a SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) certificate, which is valid to 2010. OceanBreeze departed on her last cruise in June 2003, returning to Ft. Lauderdale three days later. The Regal Empress departed for her final two-night cruise to Nassau on 24 June.

-- ss OceanBreeze Ft. Lauderdale - June 2003 --

We sincerely thank Mr. Andreas Vurdubakis of Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines for the following two photographs  

OceanBreeze still looking the grand lady she was

This fine photograph as it clearly shows her aft deck extensions

Two Brand New Photographs of ss OceanBreeze by Tim Rubacky © 2004

Photo 1 – Photo 2

Return to the Southern Cross / OceanBreeze Index

Enter - Photo Page 1

The author wishes to thank, Mr. Arthur M. Pollack of President Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, LLC, and Celebration World Cruises, Inc, Mr Andreas Vurdubakis of Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines, Mr. Martin Hill - London, and Michael Barnes - Australia, for their valuable contribution to this article.

The Southern Cross, as we will always remember her

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Commenced in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960   

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me (my email address may be found on www.ssmaritime.com only), in order that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet these individuals either refuse to provide credit or remove them when asked, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show these charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due!

This notice covers all pages, although, and I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!

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WHAT HAPPENED ON THE SEABREEZE?

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Evening Edition

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The winds blew harder and the waves soared higher as the Coast Guard helicopter crew flew toward a ship in trouble off the Virginia coast.

When they neared the pitching deck of the cruise ship SeaBreeze I, they peered through driving rain to find dozens of crew members soaked and terrified, huddling on the stern deck as waves as high as a four-story building pounded the ship.

During the next 45 minutes, one of the most dramatic rescues in Coast Guard history unfolded, as Coast Guard crew plucked 34 people off the SeaBreeze I on Sunday afternoon in a situation that verged on chaos. The Coast Guard’s orderly plan to ferry 17 crewmen in each of two helicopters soon collapsed as panicked sailors wrestled each other to get into a rescue basket dangling over the deck.

In the end, the Coast Guard jammed 26 crew members inside a single helicopter designed to carry six. Things were so cramped that some survivors screamed in pain on the way to shore, rescuers said. Eight other survivors, including the ship’s captain, were flown to safety aboard a second helicopter that arrived as the first took off.

“We were saying prayers before, during and afterwards,” said Lt. j.g. Craig Neubecker, 31, co- pilot of the first helicopter. “We were just thanking the Lord that we were able to save all 34 people and bring them home for the holidays.”

The rescue operation aboard the SeaBreeze I, a decommissioned ship owned by the creditors of a bankrupt company, took place in 70-knot winds. Even Coast Guard officers are describing it as a real-life version of “The Perfect Storm.”

Monday, the service confirmed that the SeaBreeze I sank after the rescue mission. A trail of debris floating on the swells was all that remained.

The call from the distressed ship to the Coast Guard command center in Portsmouth, came in about 11:30 a.m. during what was a routine day, despite the rough weather offshore. With a skeleton crew, the SeaBreeze I was headed to Charleston, S.C., when a line that pumps seawater into the boat to cool the engines ruptured, filling the engine compartment with water, said Coast Guard spokesman James B. McPherson.

Lt. Commander Mark Rizzo heard the call come in. “We could tell by the distress in their voices that it was an emergency situation,” Rizzo said.

Neubecker and three other crew members prepared a helicopter to fly to the ship, 200 miles east of Cape Henry. The helicopters have a range of 300 miles in normal conditions.

Sunday, however, was not normal. A band of thunderstorms and fog reduced visibility; the high waves obscured the vessel until rescuers were nearly upon it.

What they saw was dire: Waves occasionally crashed over the bow of the SeaBreeze I, which was listing 15 degrees. Without power, the vessel wallowed helplessly.

The helicopter tried to hover 30 feet above the ship, but “the winds were just kicking us like crazy,” Neubecker said, and the helicopter struggled to stay aloft, anywhere from 15 to 50 feet above the heaving deck.

That was when Petty Officer Darren Reeves swung into action. His job was to board the vessel and help crew members get in the basket that would hoist them to safety.

Reeves, 40, said that once he and his rescue basket were lowered to the deck, pandemonium broke out among the panicked crew – an international group from Central America, Greece, the Philippines and elsewhere.

The basket, designed to carry one person, can safely but uncomfortably accommodate two.

“Everybody started to try to jump in at once,” Reeves said. “They were arguing and pushing and shoving each other. I had to pull them off. If I hadn’t been there, 5 or 6 of them would have been hanging on.”

Reeves said he took a large kitchen knife one crew member had tucked in his belt and threw it away. He said everyone had luggage, but he would only allow them to bring one or two small bags.

Intending to hoist just 17 people into the helicopter, Reeves said he lost count in the chaos. The pilot kept radioing him “two more,” and Reeves kept them coming, even as the shuddering ship threw him flat on his back.

Only much later, when they had almost reached land, did the anxiety subside.

“A lot of them squeezed my hand,” said Reeves. “It was like we’d spent time bonding, and everyone was smiling at each other.”

A second helicopter arrived and took the remaining crew on board. It took Reeves’ craft 2 1/2 hours to make it to Virginia Beach through fierce head winds.

When it landed, it was down to “the bare minimum” of fuel, Neubecker said.

The SeaBreeze I, which provided short cruises for budget-conscious travelers, was owned by Premier Cruise Lines, which folded in September, stranding more than 2,000 passengers mid-cruise.

The ship was on its way from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Charleston for repairs ordered by its new owners, the investment company Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette, according to company spokesman Peter Craddick.

Craddick declined to put a value on the lost ship.

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SS SeaBreeze

SS SeaBreeze was a cruise ship that made headlines when its passengers were unloaded mid-way through their cruise and the vessel was put under arrest in Halifax Harbour . [1] The ship then sank in international waters three months later. It was owned by International Shipping Partners [2] and insured for $20M when its value was estimated at $5–6M. [3] [4]

This ship was built in 1958 by the Ansaldo Sestri Ponente shipyard in Italy as the Federico C . The ship was the first new ship built for the Costa Line . The ship was initially liner service between Genoa, Italy and Buenos Aires, Argentina via Rio de Janeiro, Brazil . In 1966, she began service between Genoa, Italy and Florida , the Caribbean and Venezuela . The ship had a major refit in 1968, then added Caribbean cruises between trans-Atlantic trips. Federico C did cruises exclusively from 1972 to 1983, when the boat was sold. [5]

In 1983, Premier Cruises obtained the ship and named it the Royale ; it became the StarShip Royale' in the same year. In 1988, the ship was renamed the SeaBreeze when it was placed in service for Dolphin Cruise Lines . One year later, the ship was refurbished. Premier took possession of the ship when it acquired Dolphin in 1997. When Premier went out of business in September 2000, the ship was ordered to immediately cease operations. At the time, it was docked at a Canadian port.

In December 2000, it sank off the coast of North Carolina / Virginia . when the ship's boiler allegedly broke off and damaged the ship. [6]

The investigation into the sinking of the Seabreeze I caused international concern, based upon numerous suspicious incidents, including the fact that the ship was likely to fetch only between $5 and $6 million for scrap , but had a $20 million insurance policy on it. The cruise ship sank in international waters flying the Panamanian flag, making Panama responsible for the investigation of the sinking of the boat.

The ship's captain told U.S. Coast Guard rescuers that his boat was in imminent danger of sinking as a result of its engine room being flooded in high winds and 25-foot seas. [7] At the time, the Coast Guard rescuers believed that it was highly unlikely for a ship that large to sink that quickly, and were astonished when the Greek captain demanded that all hands be extracted from the ship, instead of requesting salvage tugs and trying to tow it to shore for recovery. Subsequently, all 34 crewmembers were rescued; there were no passengers on board. [3] [4]

At the time of the sinking, Steven Cotton of the International Transport Workers' Federation in London stated that he wished that the ship, which went down 225 nautical miles (417   km) off the Virginia coast, had gone down 25 nautical miles (46   km) closer to the coast because that would have put the case in the hands of American investigators.

According to Cotton, "Panama's track record of carrying out comprehensive investigations into vessel sinkings is not very good." [8]

The vessel had just been purchased by Cruise Ventures III , a subsidiary of New York-based DLJ Capital Funding and was traveling from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Charleston, South Carolina . [7]

• ↑ "For sale: one cruise ship" . CBC News . 2000-10-24. Archived from the original on 2012-04-25 . Retrieved 2008-05-09 .  
• ↑ "Crew rescued from sinking ship" . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Dec 18, 2000 . Retrieved 26 April 2012 .  
• 1 2 "Passenger Ship Disasters - Part 5" . Ships Nostalgia . Retrieved 26 April 2012 .  
• 1 2 Pablobini. "SS Sea Breeze I (+2000) History" . August 12, 2010 . Wreck Site . Retrieved 26 April 2012 .  
• ↑ Simplon Postcards: The Passenger Ship Website-Federico C
• ↑ " SeaBreeze Sinks - cruise ship sinks off Virginia coast ." Cruise Travel . March 1, 2001.
• 1 2 Cruise ship sinks day after crew rescued
• ↑ "Cruise ship sinking may never be fully investigated" . CBC News . 2000-12-21 . Retrieved 2008-05-09 .  

External links

• Review of the Seabreeze

Coordinates : 36°54′21″N 72°08′50″W  /  36.9059°N 72.1472°W  / 36.9059; -72.1472

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December 17th 2000, Sinking of SS SeaBreeze I

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Originally founded in 1854 in what was then the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, the Costa Line intially operated small freighters within the Mediterranean, until branching out to transatlantic routes in the 1920s. However, the company remained exclusively a cargo operation, until their first passenger ship, Anna C. , entered service in 1948. After that, the passenger business quickly grew into the company's main focus, with the cargo business gradually sidelined, before being eliminated entirely.

For over a century, Costa only acquired secondhand ships from other operators, avoiding the high costs of new construction. But, as the passenger business became more crucial to the company, Costa eventually decided that they needed something newer and better to keep pace against competition on the crowded transatlantic routes.

In 1954, their centennial year, Costa placed an order with Ansaldo Shipyards in Sestri Ponente for the first newly built ship in their history. The keel of yard number 1516 was laid on June 9th, 1956, and the ship launched on March 31st, 1957 as Federico C ., with Franca Costa (daughter of the company's 3rd generation chairman, Angelo Costa) performing the honors and the Archbishop of Genoa on hand to bless the ship. Noted Italian architect and industrial designer Nino Zoncada was given complete creative control over the ship – designing the interior spaces, furniture, textiles, and also styling the exterior – with its gracefully streamlined superstructure, flared bow, and sculptural funnel. As expected for an Italian ship in the 1950s, the interiors were considered the height of Mid Century Modern style, filled with a large collection of commissioned original works from a selection of Italy's most prominent modern artists.

The ship measured 20,416 gross tons (small by North Atlantic standards, but respectably sized for the South American route) and 605 ft. long. Power came from a pair of De Laval steam turbines with a combined 60,000hp, driving twin screws. On trials, she reached 22.3 knots, with a sustained cruising speed of around 20-21, which was considered quite acceptable.

Accommodations were for 1,279 passengers, considered very low density for the size of the ship at the time, consisting of the traditional 3-class arrangement, with 243 in First Class, 300 Cabin Class, and 736 Tourist Class, and 500 crew. In addition to passengers, 3 forward cargo holds provided space for 8,250 tons of freight. The ship was fully air conditioned throughout, and each class had its own dedicated pool and lido deck.

From 1958-1966, Federico C. maintained her original Genoa-Buenos Aires route, but, with the delivery of the larger and more modern Eugenio C. in 1965, she lost her status as the fleet's flagship, and, in 1966, was shifted to a new route, sailing Naples-La Guaira, Venezuela via Lisbon, Funchal, Fort Lauderdale, San Juan, and St. Thomas. The new route made it more convenient to offer Caribbean cruises from US ports in between liner voyages during the winter months, when transatlantic travel demand was at its lowest. During 1968, Federico C. was sent to the T. Mariotti shipyard in Genoa for a refit, intended to modernize her accommodations and make her more easily adaptable to cruising. The refit raised her passenger capacity to 1,636 in just two classes (186 in First Class and 1,450 in Tourist), which could be converted back down to 1,259 in a single class for cruises. The refit involved converting the No. 3 cargo hold into additional passenger space, and the removal of the related handling equipment.

As time went on, the amount of scheduled Italy-Venezuela ocean liner voyages began to decline, and the number of cruises increased, until, finally, in 1972, Costa pulled Federico C. off transatlantic service entirely and began utilizing her as a full-time cruise ship. During the winter of 1976-1977, passenger cabins underwent further updating and improvements, and a much more through refit in 1980 renewed mechanical and electrical systems and refurbished her powerplant.

However, with newer ships being added to the Costa fleet, the company eventually decided to sell their first newbuild. After over 25 years of service, Federico C. finished her last sailing for Costa Cruises on October 22nd, 1983, and was handed over to her new owners at the end of November.

The buyers were Cape Canaveral, Florida-based Premier Cruise Lines, a brand new startup line cofounded by a former Norwegian Caribbean executive and an owner of a services contractor to cruise lines. Under Premier, Federico C. was renamed Royale , re-registered in Panama, and sent to T. Mariotti in Genoa for another refurbishment. After spending some $14 million on the purchase and refurbishment, Royale opened service for Premier on May 26th, 1984, offering low priced 3 and 4 day Bahamas & Eastern Caribbean cruises from Florida. The most obvious visual change was a repainting of her formerly white hull in red, both for easy brand identification for Premier, and for reduced maintenance costs, as rust streaks would blend in with the paint. The 1983-1984 refitting removed most of her original 1950s Italian furnishings in favor of simpler, lower maintenance, harder wearing fittings that would better withstand the heavier use Premier expected.

As part of a new branding strategy under Premier's new owners, Greyhound Bus Lines, Royale was renamed StarShip Royale in 1985. With additional ships joining the Premier fleet, StarShip Royale was sold in 1989 to the Greek-owned, Florida-based Dolphin Cruise Line. Under Dolphin, she was repainted in white with the company's unusual racing strip livery down the hull, and renamed SeaBreeze I (though marketing materials usually omitted the “ I ”). From 1989-1997, Dolphin used SeaBreeze I on 7 day Eastern Caribbean itineraries out of Miami.

The 1990s were not a kind decade to smaller, less well capitalized cruise lines, as the onslaught of the first of the modern 100,000+ ton megaships with apartment block-like superstructures started rapidly crowding out the remaining small, converted ocean liners. Dolphin began to struggle financially as the years wore on, and SeaBreeze I 's former owners, Premier, weren't faring much better, particularly after losing their lucrative alliance with Walt Disney Company that had made Premier the official cruise line of the Walt Disney World Resort (Disney having decided to cut out the middleman and start their own line instead). During 1997, Dolphin, Premier, and a third small independent operator, SeaWind Cruise Line, merged into a new, larger company under the Premier Cruises brand, thus bringing SeaBreeze I back to her former owners.

SeaBreeze I remained tied up in Halifax until December 14th, when she set sail with a skeleton crew of 34, bound for lay-up in Freeport, Bahamas, where four other ex-Premier ships, Big Red Boat I (ex Oceanic ), Big Red Boat II (ex Eugenio C. ), Big Red Boat III (ex Transvaal Castle ), and Rembrandt (ex Rotterdam ) had already congregated.

However, on December 17th, off the coast of Cape Charles, Virginia, the crew radioed a distress call, claiming that one of the boilers had broken off its mountings and the engine spaces were now flooding. The US Coast Guard airlifted all crew members, and the ship sank by the stern. Given the location, over 200 miles off the Virginian coast, a through investigation was impossible to conduct, but, at the time, a fully seaworthy, well maintained ship that had been in commercial service just 8 weeks earlier suddenly sinking did seem odd, particularly in light of DLJ having insured the ship for $20 million, despite the scrap value of the 42 year old liner being more like $5.5 million. DLJ/SeaVentures III had previously stated their intention to try and market SeaBreeze I for charter, though, given competitive realities in the cruise industry, future employment seemed unlikely.

2022 Ioniq SE 2008 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor 1964 Corvair Monza

@ranwhenparked Hmmm, they gained 15 million from it sinking rather than being scrapped? Seems suspicious. Excellent work as always. And Big Red Boat sounds like an absolutely awful name for a ship. Maybe ok for uncle Bill's pontoon boat but it doesn't exactly exude quality for a large cruise ship.

Color enthusiast, Citroën fanatic, and captain of a 1985 Mercedes 300D

@whoistheleader said in December 17th 2000, Sinking of SS SeaBreeze I :

They were going for a specific feel

@ranwhenparked It's not my idea of a good time but I'm also not at all the target audience

@ranwhenparked I do like this series...

Take the hard road and walk it. Because hedges aren't as soft as they look.

@ranwhenparked said in December 17th 2000, Sinking of SS SeaBreeze I :

SeaBreeze I was on a New England/Eastern Canada cruise at the time, and was immediately placed under arrest by authorities upon arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 14th, with passengers being flown home early.

Another excellent article!

There are some interesting nuances in language at play here. In the U.S., people are placed under arrest and property is impounded or seized. Ships may be detained. This is the first time I've seen a ship being arrested. After some googling, I found some reference to the phrase in other English-speaking countries, so I guess it's a common phrase, if somewhat unusual to my ears.

Never discount the possibility that you might live through it.

@bicyclebuck said in December 17th 2000, Sinking of SS SeaBreeze I :

@ranwhenparked said in December 17th 2000, Sinking of SS SeaBreeze I : SeaBreeze I was on a New England/Eastern Canada cruise at the time, and was immediately placed under arrest by authorities upon arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 14th, with passengers being flown home early.

Yeah, I think the usage arrest is short form of a cease and desist operations (or likewise detained by the creditors).

It's an odd term but technically can be correct when vessels are found non-compliant of port state regulations or classification society and caught by the Port Authorities or Coast Guard. Vessels (company assets) and crew (personal liability) can be detained and face legal action for various illegal acts, so by virtue: Arrested.

Following regulations is achievable with good practice and certified crew so they really hammer down on any major non-conformity or grossly negligent and or malicious acts.

@exage03040 said in December 17th 2000, Sinking of SS SeaBreeze I :

@bicyclebuck said in December 17th 2000, Sinking of SS SeaBreeze I : @ranwhenparked said in December 17th 2000, Sinking of SS SeaBreeze I : SeaBreeze I was on a New England/Eastern Canada cruise at the time, and was immediately placed under arrest by authorities upon arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 14th, with passengers being flown home early.

It's just strange to my ears. When a person in a vehicle is caught doing something wrong, they may be arrested and their vehicle is impounded. My brain wants to conflate that up to the size of a ship, so the captain and crew might be arrested and the ship impounded. I realize things are different not just in size, but also because maritime law applies here. This has a long history and I've just never been aware of it! https://seafarersrights.org/seafarers-fact-file-ship-arrest/

The most obvious visual change was a repainting of her formerly white hull in red, both for easy brand identification for Premier, and for reduced maintenance costs, as rust streaks would blend in with the paint.

Maybe I should switch to red cars...

@ranwhenparked Another great read. Thanks!

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Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• May 5, 2022

Most of us think of the big names currently in the industry when someone mentions a cruise line.  Some of us have extended knowledge of cruising and can therefore name a bunch of the smaller companies as well.

There are many cruise lines from ghosts’ past that used to be at the top of their game, but for different reasons, ended up going out of business or merging, only to be forgotten.

History buffs will especially enjoy this: I give you 14 former cruise lines that either you have never even heard of, or had long forgotten about. Although, you may recognize some of the ships.

1. Admiral Cruises

Admiral Cruises, which sailed on the eastern and western U.S. coasts, was formed in 1986 when three cruise lines merged together: Eastern Cruise Lines, Western Cruise Lines, and Sundance Cruise Lines. When the lines came together, each had only one ship, creating a three-ship fleet.

In 1988, the line announced that it had ordered a new vessel called Future Seas. In that same year, Admiral Cruises merged with Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Shortly after the merger, the order for Future Seas was transferred to Royal Caribbean and became that line’s ship Nordic Empress when she debuted in 1990. In 2004, she was renamed Empress of the Seas.

In 1990, Stardancer (which had been Sundance Cruise Lines’ ship) was also transferred to Royal Caribbean and was renamed Viking Serenade.

In late 1991, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines ended the Admiral Cruises brand and its two remaining ships — Azure Seas and Emerald Seas — were sold.

2. Commodore Cruise Line

Commodore Cruise Line was founded the same year that Norwegian Caribbean Line (now Norwegian Cruise Line) began operations – 1966.  Wallenius Lines acquired a ferry that was originally ordered by Lion Ferry, who had canceled their order.

This proved good for Commodore, as they reached an agreement with Wallenius who finished the ferry as a cruise ship, and chartered it to Commodore.  It became the first company to operate week-long cruises out of Florida year-round.  In the years to follow, Commodore Cruise Line was acquired by Rederi Ab Sally, and the company acquired more ships for Commodore, then eventually reverted back to just one.

In 1987, Rederi Ab Sally was sold to its competitors Effoa and Johnson Line, which was later merged into EffJohn.  Later, EffJohn decided to merge Bermuda Star Line into Commodore, therefore acquiring a few more ships.  In 1995, Commodore was sold to JeMJ Financial Services, who continued their operations.

Ultimately, in January 2001, after facing harsh competition, Commodore Cruise Line filed for bankruptcy.

3. Crown Cruise Line

This small, upper-class cruise line was founded in 1984 and was based in Boca Raton, Florida.  Their first ship was called Viking Princess,  and operated out of San Diego before being transferred to Palm Beach for Bahamas sailings.  The line bought a second ship from a Spanish shipping company, and it underwent a refit to become a cruise ship in 1986.

After another ship joining the line, a 45,000 terminal was built for Crown at the Port of Palm Beach in 1990.  The recession and Gulf War in 1991 affected consumer spending for cruise vacations, and the line had to scale back their business.

Crown Cruise Line was split in two by their parent company, Grundstad Maritime, and part became Palm Beach Cruises, and the other part was turned over to Commodore Cruise Line.

All together, Crown Cruise Line had five ships of their own before the business fell apart and they were all leased or sold to other operators.  The cruise line officially ceased to exist in 2001.

4. Cruise & Maritime Voyages

Cruise & Maritime Services International formed Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) in 2009 after its German-based Transocean Tours cruise line filed for bankruptcy. The British line marketed itself towards a more mature audience, being a more traditional line on smaller ocean ships and river ships and requiring that passengers be 16 or older.

In 2009 and 2010, Cruise & Maritime Voyages chartered its first two ships: Marco Polo (originally built as an ocean liner) and Ocean Countess. Marco Polo had a particularly unique history, launching as the Aleksandr Pushkin ocean liner for one of the three main shipping companies in the Soviet Union in the 1960s. The vessel was actually chartered to Transocean Tours back in 1979, and then changed hands multiple times after that.

In 2008, Global Maritime Group purchased the vessel and she was once again chartered to Transocean Tours, which is how she came to be chartered by CMV.

From 2013 to 2019, Cruise & Maritime Voyages slowly added and replaced ships, none of which were new builds. In total, the line operated 10 vessels, though not all simultaneously.

They included the former 1972-built Island Princess, Carnival’s Holiday, the former 1989-built Star Princess, and Holland America’s 1992-built Statendam (also formerly Pacific Eden for P&O Cruises Australia).

Cruise & Maritime Voyages had itineraries all over the world, but most were focused in the British Isles, northern Europe, Australia, and Mexico.

Like the rest of the cruise industry, CMV halted operations in March 2020 due to the pandemic. In July 2020, reports surfaced that the cruise line was facing insolvency and was looking to secure additional funding.

Attempts to secure financing failed, and Cruise & Maritime Voyages officially entered administration on July 20, 2020.

Four of its five vessels at the time were bought by an auction house, and subsequently either sold to other shipping companies or sold for scrap. The fifth ship had been under charter and was not officially owned by CMV.

5. Cruise West

Cruise West was a small, destination-focused cruise line based in Seattle, Washington. The line was originally a tour operator in Alaska founded by Chuck West in 1973. In 1990, the company acquired its first overnight vessel — the 52-guest Spirit of Glacier Bay.

Though the company’s focus then and through its lifetime remained on Alaska, it began expanding into other destinations such as the Snake and Columbia rivers, Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, and California coastal areas.

In 2001, Cruise West bought its first ocean-going ship, the former Renaissance Cruises’ Spirit of Oceanus. Then, the line expanded to Central America in partnership with Costa Rica’s Temptress Cruise Lines to offer cruises on the 100-passenger M/V Pacific Explorer.

In 2006, Cruise West purchased the 102-passenger Nantucket Clipper and 138-passenger Yorktown Clipper from Clipper Cruise Lines, and renamed them Spirit of Nantucket and Spirit of Yorktown, respectively. Spirit of Nantucket operated on the east coast and in the Great Lakes for two seasons before being moved to the Pacific Coast with the rest of the fleet. She was then renamed Spirit of Glacier Bay, making the vessel the second in the line’s history to bear that name.

Throughout the duration of the company, Cruise West operated nine small ships in the Americas, South Pacific, and Asia.

On September 8, 2010, the line announced that it was restructuring under new ownership, and suspended all new bookings. On September 18, it announced that it would cease operations.

Another small ship line operating mostly in Alaska, UnCruise Adventures, acquired Spirit of Endeavour and Spirit of ‘98 from Cruise West, renaming them Safari Endeavour and S.S. Legacy, respectively.

MORE: 9 Cruise Concepts That Didn’t Quite Catch On

6. Dolphin Cruise Lines

Dolphin Cruise Lines was a Greek line founded in 1984. Back before then, the Ulysses Line operated ships Ithaca and Calypso in the Mediterranean and Atlantic Isles, mostly marketed by UK tour company Thomson in the 1970s.

Thomson didn’t renew its charter with Ulysses, so the two ships were chartered to other cruise companies. Ithaca was renamed Dolphin IV in 1979, and was initially marketed by cruise line Paquet before moving to the newly-founded Dolphin Cruise Line.

The line acquired three additional ships through 1996. In 1997, Dolphin Cruise Lines was bought out by Premier Cruise Line, and the three remaining Dolphin ships along with Premier’s ships all formed one fleet under the Premier Cruise Line name.

Carnival Corporation established Fathom as a cruise line that would operate “social impact travel” cruises from Miami to the Caribbean. The line’s journeys included volunteer opportunities with established organizations on the ground in the destinations that the line visited.

The P&O Cruises ship Adonia was reassigned to Fathom, and became the line’s first (and only) dedicated cruise ship.

During the duration of the cruise line’s existence, Adonia sailed to Cuba and the Dominican Republic. When the ship docked in Havana in May 2016, it marked the first time in over 50 years that a U.S. cruise line had sailed from the U.S. to Cuba.

In 2017, the Fathom brand discontinued cruise line operations, and Adonia returned to P&O Cruises.

The volunteer-based shore excursions that made Fathom unique were continued through 2018 on other Carnival Corporation cruise lines, including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, and P&O Cruises.

In January 2019, the Fathom brand was discontinued entirely.

8. Festival Cruises

This Greece-based cruise line was founded in 1992 by George Poulides using second-hand ships.  It began operating after acquiring  The Azur  from Chandris Cruises, and  Starward  from Norwegian Cruise Line the following year, which Festival renamed  Bolero.  

The line’s first new build was in 1999, called Mistral.   In 2000, Festival announced they were merging into Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O), with the Festival brand being maintained under P&O.  The merger plan was abandoned later that year, though, and two more Mistral-class ships were built in 2001 and 2002.

The company had the option for two more, but decided against it; however, the Mistral-class ships did end up being built, instead for MSC Cruises as  Lirica  and  Opera.   Festival Cruises ultimately ended up going bankrupt in 2004, and all of their remaining ships were auctioned to other operators.

9. Ibero Cruises

Ibero Cruises, known as Ibero Cruceros in Spanish, was founded in 2003 as Viajes Iberojet by Iberojet — a travel wholesaler — as its cruise division. Based in Madrid, Spain, the line was aimed at the Spanish and Portuguese-speaking market, sailing in Europe and South America.

The line started with one ship, Grand Mistral — which was acquired from the failed Festival Cruises. In 2004, the line added two more ships: Grand Latino acquired from Royal Viking Line, and Grand Voyager from Royal Olympic Cruises.

In 2007, Viajes Iberojet became a joint subsidiary of Carnival Corporation and Orizonia Corporation and was renamed Ibero Cruises.

Carnival Cruise Line’s ship Celebration was transferred to Ibero Cruises in 2008 and renamed Grand Celebration. In 2009, another ship, the Holiday, was also transferred to Ibero from Carnival Cruise Line and renamed Grand Holiday.

In 2014, it was announced that Costa Cruises — another Carnival Corporation brand — would absorb Ibero Cruises by the end of the year. By this point, Ibero Cruises had already sold off all but its two newest ships.

Grand Celebration was transferred to Costa’s main fleet as Costa Celebration, and Grand Holiday was transferred to the British operator Cruise & Maritime Voyages as the Magellan.

10. Majesty Cruise Line

Majesty Cruise Line was founded in 1992 by Dolphin Cruise Line as a more premium option for its customers. The line’s first ship, Royal Majesty, was originally ordered by competitor Birka Line but the contract was resold to Majesty after the shipbuilder went bankrupt.

The vessel started out operating three and four-night cruises from Florida, then in 1995 began a route from Boston to St. George’s, Bermuda. In the winter, Royal Majesty returned to Florida.

In 1997, Majesty bought a second ship from Crown Cruise Line called Crown Dynasty, and renamed her Crown Majesty. For the rest of that season, she continued the same itineraries that were planned for her former cruise line.

At the end of the 1997 season, both ships were passed to Norwegian Cruise Line as Majesty Cruise Line merged into that brand.

MORE: 11 Former Carnival Ships – Where Are They Now?

11. Premier Cruises

This cruise company was formed in the early 1990s by Kristian Stensby, and was focused on new geographic markets that the bigger ones weren’t focusing on at the time.  Primarily they aimed their cruises toward Europeans and South Americans.  It consisted of three operations; Premier Cruise Line, Seawind Cruise Line, and Dolphin Cruise Line.

Stensby grew the company from one to six ships, and in 1997 it became the largest private cruise line in the world at that time.  Premier had many travel partners, including Pullmantur, Thomson Holidays, TUI, and more.

After 1997, Premier changed its business strategies and canceled these agreements.  A number of the partners decided to use the opportunity to create their own cruise operations, such as Pullmantur Cruises which was established when the agreement was canceled.  Thomson Holidays also used the opportunity to build and expand.

In late 2000, Premier Cruises filed for bankruptcy and ceased operations.

12. Renaissance Cruises

Renaissance Cruises was founded in 1989 by Fearnley & Eger Rederi in Oslo, Norway, and was later bought by Edward Rudner during the Gulf War.  The cruise line had eight Renaissance-class yacht-like ships between 1989 and 1998.

They carried around 100 passengers each, and were named Renaissance I  through  Renaissance VIII.   Renaissance Cruises operated voyages to the Greek Isles, Tahiti, the Mediterranean, South Pacific, northern Europe, and Scandinavia.

Its R class was their other class of ships, and these were more ‘cruise ship’ sized.  They were also named quite simply, being “R (number).”  They had eight ships throughout their years in service, R One  through  R Eight.  

They were the pride of the cruise line, and were all built between 1998 and 2001.  By 2001, the company had been in financial trouble for a while, and when the September 11 terrorist attacks occurred, it did the cruise line in.

Now, almost all of their former ships are currently either chartered or operating with other cruise lines.

13. Royal Viking Line

Royal Viking Line began in 1972, and each of its first three ships was owned by one of its initial investing partners.  The ships were all built at a shipyard in Finland, and were around 21,000 GRT.  In 1980, the ships were stretched and more cabins were added.  In 1984, the two companies that owned Royal Viking decided to sell it to Norwegian Caribbean Line, and the offices were moved from San Francisco to Coral Gables, Florida.

While under the new ownership, another ship was built for Royal Viking, which was finished in 1992; Royal Viking Queen.   In 1990-91, two ships were moved to the Norwegian Cruise Line brand, and another in 1993 moved to Royal Cruise Line.

In 1994, Knut Kloster (who owned Norwegian) was hard financially, and Royal Viking Line was dissolved.  Some vessels were sold to Cunard, and Royal Viking Sun  was combined with four of their other ships to form Cunard Royal Viking Line, which only lasted until 1998.

In the same year, all of Cunard’s ships were merged under the Cunard Line brand.

Two of the former Royal Viking ships have been scrapped (Royal Viking Sea and Royal Viking Sky) and others are owned by other companies. None of the ships are still sailing with Cunard.

14. White Star Line

The White Star Line of Boston Packets, more commonly known as just White Star Line, was a well-known British shipping company.  It was founded in 1845 in Liverpool, and sailed a fleet of clipper ships between Britain and Australia.  The line acquired its first steamship, the  Royal Standard , in 1863.

In the late 19th to early 20th centuries, millions of people were emigrating from Europe to Canada and the US, and White Star was one of the first shipping lines to have passenger ships, with the Oceanic -class ships that they began operating in 1870.

In April 1912, the most famous maritime accident in history occurred to one of White Star Line’s ships, the Titanic.  After boasting that they had built an unsinkable ship, during its crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, the Titanic collided with an iceberg and sunk.  She took 1,502 passengers and crew down with her.

In 1933, both White Star and Cunard, their chief competitor, were in serious financial trouble in the midst of the Great Depression.  The British government agreed to help the cruise lines out because they merged their North Atlantic operations.  They agreed, and it was official on December 30, 1933.

For a while, they called themselves Cunard-White Star Limited, but in 1947, Cunard acquired the portion of the line that they didn’t own, as well as all assets and operations in 1949, and reverted to just the name “Cunard” on the first day of 1950.

Note: This article was previously published in June 2016. It was expanded and republished in May 2022.

READ NEXT: 10 Secrets And Money-Saving Tips The Cruise Lines Don’t Usually Tell You

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Dolphin Watch & Snorkel Tour

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• Clock Duration: 3.5 hours
• Info Occupancy: Up to 36 people
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• Food Food & Drink: Small Snacks after swimming. Beer, Hard Seltzers, soft drinks, and bottled water

Snorkel comfortably in our tropical waters & meet Key West’s famous wild dolphins!

Snorkel Key West and Look for Dolphins

On this family-friendly cruise, we venture out to balmy Backcountry waters to snorkel in Key West’s wildlife sanctuary before searching the Gulf of Mexico’s backcountry’s balmy waters before searching for Key West’s dolphins in the crystal clear waters for our local dolphin pods at play.

The tour starts on our Seabreeze catamaran, a 45ft Corinthian powercat, where you’ll have plenty of space to relax under some covered shade while the captains and mates share their knowledge of the ecology and wildlife of Key West. You’ll also have plenty of time to ask questions and gain new insights into our tropical paradise!

Jump in and discover the natural beauty under the sea with starfish, rays, turtles, conch, corals, sponges, and tropical fish. We will always bring you to the best snorkel spot of the day – from the artificial reef at Archer Key to the famous Great Florida Reef, the only reef located in the continental United States! Never snorkeled? No problem! All equipment is provided along with expert instruction. Come back aboard and wash off with our fresh water rinse and relax with a cold drink in the shade.

Every trip is different as we cruise along searching for dolphins and appreciating whatever Mother Nature offers up on any given day: Dolphins, eagle rays, sea turtles, ospreys, frigate birds, and migratory birds. During this time you’ll observe dolphins cavorting in their natural habitat among deserted tropical islands.

We include snacks, soda, and bottled water onboard throughout your cruise. After your snorkel, we will pop open the beer cooler for some complimentary drinks as you laze in the sun. For your convenience, there is a large head (bathroom) below-deck.

Be sure to book early as we limit this tour to 36 guests, well below boat capacity, to provide a spacious setting for everyone!

Please note that while dolphin pods are numerous in Key West’s backcountry and often seen, we can’t guarantee dolphin sightings on every trip.

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Key West Sushi & Sunset Cruise

Dine on fresh sushi while taking in the famous Key West sunset. You will cruise past the southernmost point of the U.S., tropical beaches and a Civil War era Fort Zachary Taylor Historic Sate Park.

• Info 1 to 40 people
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Seabreeze Charters

Snorkel, see Dolphin, or visit a sandbar with an open-air cruise for up to 40 people. Create the perfect escape with a private adventure aboard our 45-foot Corinthian catamaran!

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Create the perfect outing for up to 6 with a custom charter! Cast off from the island and explore the unique nature surrounding the Florida Keys!

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Weekly wednesday – premier cruise lines.

Last week, on Weekly Wednesday – Feeling Blue , I introduced a teaser at the end about Treasure Cay. You were probably wondering why I felt compelled to include Treasure Cay into the list since it isn’t used as a cruise destination any longer. Welcome to this week’s Weekly Wednesday where I will uncover the cruise line that operated the ships that sailed to Treasure Island and what happened to that company.

Premier Cruise Lines was created in 1983 when cruise lines were fighting for attention. This line was inspired by two cruise veterans, Bruce Nierenberg and Bjornar Hermansen, who had a vision of what it would take to be successful. They weren’t about building the biggest and most impressive ships but were instead identifying what their clientele would be interested in to gain their loyalty.

Their ships initially sailed out of Port Canaveral in Florida and would run three- and four-day trips to Nassau and Salt Cay in the Bahamas. Premier decided to look for ways to improve the leisure cruise industry by attracting an older generation of cruisers who would bring their children and grandchildren for a short getaway. One of the ways Premier Cruise Lines set themselves apart from the competition, was by introducing kids clubs and activities on their ships. Each group consisted of a specific age range of kids which allowed them to safely interact with each other. This also allowed for the grown-ups to have a stress-free vacation while still being together as a family.

“There’s nothing like traveling to open your eyes – wide with wonder, shining with excitement. You see first-hand that the world is really a zillion little worlds, all connected, but each one different, each one special. On the Big Red Boat, we want to bring as many little worlds to you as we can.” (Premier Cruise Lines Website, Archive 08/23/2000)

The first ocean liner to join Premier was StarShip Royale. She sailed with Premier for five years until 1988 when she was transferred to Dolphin Cruise Lines and her name was changed to SeaBreeze. Later, Dolphin Cruise Lines merged with Premier Cruise Line in 1997 which brought the ship back into service under the previous company where she sailed until the demise of the company in 2000.

Premier was off to a strong start with their first ship, and in an unexpected turn of events, Greyhound Bus Lines purchased Premier in 1984. They operated the cruise line starting in 1985 until Greyhound was sold to Dial Corporation (nee Henkel Corporation).

The new owner brought new changes to the company, when they introduced StarShip Oceanic when it joined Premier Cruise Line in 1985. That same year, Premier entered a licensing agreement with the Walt Disney World Resort where you could encounter Mickey Mouse and friends and take pictures with them on board. If you created your booking with Premier Cruise Lines, you had the opportunity to reserve a seven-night vacation which was split between land-based attractions (like visiting the Walt Disney World theme parks), and the other half would be spent at sea on a ship. SS Oceanic remained with Premier Cruise Line the longest of all and would be let go when Premier closed up in 2000.

The second and third ships that were added to the fleet were the StarShip Majestic and StarShip Atlantic. They joined in 1988 with a guest capacity of 1,027 and 1,600 passengers, respectively. Starship Majestic was purchased form Princess, a P&O Cruises subsidiary at the time, where she underwent a transformation to house the family-friendly atmosphere. StarShip Atlantic came over from MSC Cruises, previously known as Atlantic. SS Majestic was sold after a few years of service in 1994, while SS Atlantic held on for a few more years before being sold in 1997.

Disney pulled all of their beloved characters from Premier Cruise Line ships in 1993 as they were in the negotiation process with Carnival and Royal Caribbean to carry their brand. When those offers fell through, Disney started working on their own leisure cruise company to set sail in 1998. Premier immediately sought an affiliation with Looney Tunes characters to continue to maintain its family-friendly image.  Under the current operation model, profitability had soared into 1997 which lead Dial Corporation to sell the cruise line.

After the sale event, Premier Cruises Lines merged with Dolphin Cruise Line, Premier Cruises and Seawind Cruises (to be headed up by the original person who started the line, Bruce Nierenberg). This changed their business strategies, cancelling all of their international marketing agreements to work alongside Thomson Holidays, Pullmantur and other cruise lines. In doing this, several of those marketing partners built up their own independent cruise lines including Thomson Holidays who became part of one of the largest travel groups in the world, TUI.

SS OceanBreeze was the next ship added for Premier in 1997. This ship was notable in passenger cruise ships as it introduced the first time the engine room and funnel were moved the aft of the ship from midship, giving way to more usable public space on many of the decks. Near the end of 1999, the ship was chartered to Imperial Majesty Cruises, who later purchased her.

That same year the SS Rotterdam was put up for sale by Carnival Corporation from their Holland America Line fleet due to the exorbitant cost to bring the ship up to ADA compliance. Premier stepped in to purchase her, performed the necessary upgrades at half the projected cost and reintroduced her as SS Rembrandt. When Premier stopped sailing, this ship went homeless. Eventually she was purchased by her namesake city and was docked in Rotterdam where she lives on to this day as a museum and hotel.

Carnival Cruise Lines operated a ship named the SS Festivale which was chartered to Dolphin Cruise Line in 1996. When Premier Cruise Line took over in 1997, they performed maintenance on the ship and reintroduced her a year later as The Big Red Boat III. The Looney Tunes contract had also expired in 1998 and was not renewed. This was due, in part, to the declining attendance and lack of interest to sail on the currently aging fleet. The Big Red Boat III sailed until the demise of the company in 2000 when she was eventually sold for scrap and was laid up in Alang, India.

In an attempt to revive a ship from Costa Cruises, Premier was set to introduce Big Red Boat II in 1999. They began the re-branding process which was scheduled to take 10 months at a cost of $25 million. By this time, there were several other cruise lines who were building brand new cruise ships. Combined with the change in management from 1997, loss of a big company investing in their operations, and the purchases of aging ships bringing high maintenance costs to remain seaworthy, Premier Cruise Lines ended up filing for bankruptcy in September 2000.

The remaining ships in fleet, Big Red Boat I, Rembrandt, SS SeaBreeze, and Big Red Boat III were immediately ordered to stop sailing, with some of the ships offloading everything in the port where seized. A few of the ships were laid up in Freeport, Bahamas and others were left elsewhere. The SS SeaBreeze ended up capsizing and sinking within a few months of the closure.

Premier Cruise Line definitely had a rough 17-year history. The start of Disney Cruise Lines was the beginning of the end for Premier as their vacation packages weren’t as desirable since the Disney characters weren’t found on the Premier ships any longer.

While the cruise line itself is not in operation today, the impact that Premier left on the cruising industry is still visible. Many modern-day leisure cruise lines offer several on-board camps for kids to make it easier for families to vacation together. Sadly, all of her fleet has since been destroyed or sank and Treasure Cay was turned into a luxury golf course with million dollar mansions on it. Port Canaveral, which was introduced by Premier Cruise Lines for its proximity to the Orlando theme parks, is now served by Carnival, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, and Disney Cruise Line. Finally, if you make a visit to the web domain premiercruises.com, you’ll come across a faith based planning company who charters ships from various cruise lines to host sail parties.

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Seabreeze Dolphin & Snorkel Tour

With barefoot billy's, in the lower keys.

Starting From $99

Duration: 3.5 hours.

On this family-friendly cruise, we venture out to balmy Backcountry waters to snorkel in Key West’s wildlife sanctuary before searching the Gulf of Mexico’s backcountry’s balmy waters before searching for Key West’s dolphins in the crystal clear waters for our local dolphin pods at play.

The tour starts on our Seabreeze catamaran, a 45ft Corinthian powercat, where you’ll have plenty of space to relax under some covered shade while the captains and mates share their knowledge of the ecology and wildlife of Key West. You’ll also have plenty of time to ask questions and gain new insights into our tropical paradise!

Jump in and discover the natural beauty under the sea with starfish, rays, turtles, conch, corals, sponges, and tropical fish. We will always bring you to the best snorkel spot of the day – from the artificial reef at Archer Key to the famous Great Florida Reef, the only reef located in the continental United States! Never snorkeled? No problem! All equipment is provided along with expert instruction. Come back aboard and wash off with our fresh water rinse and relax with a cold drink in the shade.

Every trip is different as we cruise along searching for dolphins and appreciating whatever Mother Nature offers up on any given day: Dolphins, eagle rays, sea turtles, ospreys, frigate birds, and migratory birds. During this time you’ll observe dolphins cavorting in their natural habitat among deserted tropical islands. We include snacks, soda, and bottled water onboard throughout your cruise. After your snorkel, we will pop open the beer cooler for some complimentary drinks as you laze in the sun. For your convenience, there is a large head (bathroom) below-deck.

Be sure to book early as we limit this tour to 36 guests, well below boat capacity, to provide a spacious setting for everyone!

*Please note that while dolphin pods are numerous in Key West’s backcountry and often seen, we can’t guarantee dolphin sightings on every trip.

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• Other Cruise Lines

SS Seabreeze - Dolphin Cruise Line

By CruiserRose , July 19, 2012 in Other Cruise Lines

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CruiserRose

We sailed years ago on the Dolphin Cruise line on the SS Seabreeze.

can anyone tell me if that ship had stabilizers?

I know it was a little more bouncy than todays ride on the big ships.

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I can't say for sure, but I definitely remember cruising thru a passage near Cuba on Seabreeze one night and the ship rocking and rolling severely....enough that I couldn't make it to the midnight buffet despite standing in line for quite some time. Told my better half to eat something for me, too....and I bounced from wall to wall, back to the cabin.

• 3 weeks later...

others had to sail the sea breeze? anyone know?

It had stabilizers.

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

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• What Ever Happened To........???

By luvscruzin , July 11, 2004 in What Ever Happened To........???

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Does anyone remember what year the Seabreeze sank? I think it was enroute for repairs maybe? Does anyone know exactly what happened? Sailed her back in 1996 and remember having a great time. Small, older ship, but lots of fun.

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dougnewmanatsea

I believe it was December 2000, only a few months after Premier bankruptcy. She was owned by a subsidiary of the investment firm Donlandson, Lufkin and Jenrette who were investors in Premier. I believe DLJ claimed at the time that she was suitable for further trading but there were also abundant rumors that they were planning to sell her for scrap.

She ostensibly sank because of heavy seas off the US East Coast (Virgnia, or perhaps North Carolina IIRC). I don't know much more specific information as there hasn't ever been all that much released that I know of. I do know that several conspiracy theories have floated around which I personally do not buy into for various reasons.

Yes, she sank in December 2000. The ~40 crew members on board were all saved in an heroic rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard.

All we know for certain is that the engine room flooded during heavy seas.

• 3 weeks later...

I remember this also. I believe we were in the port that took impounded her from. We thought it was funny that she sank and heard the rumors of how she was insured way above value.

Our first cruise was on the Seabreeze back in October 1989. We were originally sailing to the Eastern Caribbean, but due to a hurricane, we went the western route instead. The first night out from Miami, the ship was rockin and rollin :confused: . Not good for a first time cruiser:o , but I went to bed, got up the next morning, and all was well. We were out of the rough seas. I have fond memories of that ship.

WE loved the tiny SeaBreeze and the Dolphin and sailed both plus OceanBreeze before Premier bought them. Sailed SeaBreeze 5 times. It sank off VA & our NC coast.(We live right on the coast.)

It was a local news story with pictures of the crew being pulled up to our Coast Guard helicopter by the ship's pool. It was on its way south after being repossessd in August, I think in Nova Scotia, in mid cruise. It sank in 3,000 feet of water, too deep to even think about floating her. The picture of her going under was something to see! We really miss the old tiny ships with less than 1,000 passnegers! They were so much fun. We're still in contact with people we met on the SeaBreeze!

• 6 months later...

worldsbestcandles

It was my one and only (So far!) cruise experience... I had just turned 18 and danced on the Seabreeze for a short time in the summer of 97.... what a wake up call! It was beautiful, but I would never want to work on a cruise ship!

Imagine my surprise to see a shot of her sinking on 60 Minutes 3 years later... I remember the year we sailed the Carnical Destiny sailed out itinerary and our top deck wasn't even above their lifeboats! The ship only held 800 passengers....how things have changed.... in 10 years no less!

• 3 months later...

Loved that old Seabreeze..

Was our first seven day cruise on that ship,

in 1992..Went on it again in 1999, and it was in kinda rough shape,

the sailing was delayed a couple hours, due to an engine problem..

Since the ship was only half full, they had only one dinner seating that week.

I had the most fun on that ship, less people, more partying,

no lines to wait in..! We've been on about 18 cruises now, and even

with all the anemities of the new ships, my fondest memories are of that ship..

I have to agree...I started on Carnival, but went on the Dolphin 4 twice, and if you look at my signature at the bottom of this, you'll see I sailed on the SeaBreeze over 10 times..I even met the guy I'm seeing on my first sailing of the SeaBreeze...(we were friends for years, and started seeing each other 3 years ago..) I have such fond memories of her...from staying in cabin C-6

(the only time I got sea sick!) and tried to find my way back to my cabin during my first dinner on-board..not fun!!

I took my God-daughter for her graduation 1997 (she has now completed 4 cruises.. ) I love the older ship...the SeaBreeze, OceanBreeze and the Norway...too bad the cruise industry keep thinking bigger is better! I think if they made them smaller, people would be willing to pay a little more, for the luxury, of not having to stand in lines, bigger rooms, and much more interactions with the crew staff and other passengers....

Wish they could bring some of the Premier ships back into service..or re-design and build (with the new safety requirements) some smaller ships..

I know wishful thinking!!!

I have such fond memories of her...from staying in cabin C-6 (the only time I got sea sick!) and tried to find my way back to my cabin during my first dinner on-board..not fun!!!

Fortunately, our cabins were a bit easier to find... F055 our first time and E017 the second. We had D-16 booked for a cruise that never happened. :(

Lisa you are right..C-6 was a great room, awful location..very difficult to find, especially when when your not feeling well...

We were on one of the last cruises on the SeaBreeze...we arrived for our sailing on Sunday, and the ship didn't pass inspection..they put us all up at a Ft. Lauderdale hotel (my carry on bag was left at the pier!..long sorry) but what an awful way to start a trip..

But all in all..it was fun..we celebrated my GodDaughters engagment (her husband gave her the ring in the restaurant in front of 12 family and friends..)

too cool...

Again, if she hadn't sank, if they would have kept her here in the states...

and got her up to codes..I would have continued sailing her...over and over..

I have been buying little things from e-bay, with the SeaBreeze logo...along with some Dolphin IV logo...(so nice to rememeber some of my wonderful first cruises....)

• 4 months later...

travel-to-go

This is a very old thread, but I haven't come over to this board before.

I, too was on one of the last cruises of the Seabreeze (or at least within her last year)

I chose her for several reasons. I went to Seabreeze High School (Daytona Beach Fl class of 72- Yes I am o-o-o-l-d!) And a Parrothead club had done the same cruise to riotous fun that I sort of regretted not being on,- I also liked the itenerary. Belize, Roatan, Not your usual Eastern/Western same ol', same ol'.

We took an outside cabin but it was pretty decrepit. I seem to remember it being way aft, and on a very low deck. A/C barely worked, and they kept trying to fix it. Finally ended up leaving ceiling tiles open Our Steward was a doll- very friendly, always trying to please. I still have our free bathrobes, also. One still in the plastic bag!

What a cruise!

We always become freindly with crew, staff and entertainers. Well, the entertainer was someone I actually knew! He did a routine of Jimmy Buffett and also Neil Diamond (and was good at both) I think he's in Vegas now- Hollywood Legends. As the cruise went along, strange things began to happen. Suddenly, every day we started getting brand new linens- like never been used before! We questioned some staff and were told on the QT that the ship was running out of water. They didn't have enough fresh water on board to do the laundry- hence, the broke out the fresh linens. That explained a lot. You see, this was the year following the devastating Hurricane Mitch, which did tremendous damage (and sank the Windjammer flag ship the Fantome) and killed thousands of people in Central America- Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua. Well, there was some business on the Isle of Roatan. They had taken a lot of infrastructure damage the previous year. It seems that our captain, according to rumors from the staff and crew, had sold our fresh water to the Island! The next thing we knew, it was announced that we would be making an unscheduled stop... In Mexico (Cozumel, where we had stopped earlier in the cruise) ...to take on drinking water! We had also been told not to drink water from our sinks, mid-cruises, only from the drinking water on the lido deck! Now if you needed drinking water, where is the first place you would NOT stop for it! Mexico!

While in Belize, there was a gay scuba club from Tampa on board who had planned a two tank dive through the shore excursions desk. This was a pretty large group. They took the ferry in to Belize and were picked up on the dock, as planned. The tour operator got them midway out to nowhere, and announced, not only did they not have enough tanks for everyone, half of them weren't even full! And the didn't have enough gas to get where the were going! It seems as though some rogue operator had picked them up..or something. Well, this nearly caused a mutiny on board the ship. There were angry meetings in the library, demands of refunds oftheir money for the scuba trip. (I seem to remember something about them almost getting stranded or threatened with being left if they didn't pay that tour operator as they were out in the middle of the sea off of Belize.

Well, this was nothing compared to what came next.

This cruise was the last week in October. That encompassed Halloween and the famous week of Fantasty Fest in Key West.

Key West is a gay-friendly town. Fantasy Fest is a mix of a little of everything, but amongst the festivities is a parade and ball which is more "drag" than not. There were men on board this ship who had booked this cruise all the way from San Francisco (with the added air fare) for this particular cruise for the express purpose of attneding this drag queen ball. Some of these men had bought $3000.00 gowns to go in drag!

Suddenly, the Captain announced that we had lost our berth at the new pier in Key West, and would have to tender in (Sold it is more like it) Well, this did not make many folks happy. I had just spent the previous week in Key West (at the Parrothead convention. along with Barry, the entertainer) and new that Premier "owned" that berth for that time. This was shortly after Key West started allowing cruise ships back in, and there weren't that many ships stopping there as yet.

Well, on our way to Key West, an announcement was made that the weather was too rough to tender and that we would be skipping that stop and going straight to Miami (or Ft Laud- I forget now) I've done a lot of cruising and tendering. And I honestly believe this was not rough.

Well, talk about a near-mutiny! There were a lot of very sullen, very angry people on that ship. These folks had taken this specific ship, one of the few to stop at Key West, expressly for the purpose of being there during Fantasty Fest!

Well, there were more things that added up after the fact, and we had gotten some inside information, but I guess it should have come as no surprise when the line went bankrupt a short time later. (for the second time- Once as Premier Cruises, once as Premier Cruiselines) Her ships were told to put in at the nearest port. A couple, including he Seabreeze, were in Montreal, or Halifax, due to the New England fall Leaf Peeper cruises. One was in Rome, I think (Citavecchia) where the crew was not allowed off the ship, and the ship was taken over and held pending payment to the port authorities. The ship was seized. Soon they ran out of food, fuel (hence Air conditioning and power to keep toilets running) and water. The crew was "held hostage" Finally, someone managed to get communications out- cell phone I guess and web pages sprang up to free these poor folks who were living in unsanitary conditions with no food or water (or very little) The government finally let them go.

The ships bounced back and forth in ownership, finally ending up with Jenrette, as someone mentioned. Seabreeze was towed to New York. Then the decision was made to scrap her. She started out, then suddenly an announcement was made that she would be refitted, I think in Newport News, and would sail once again! Those of us who loved her were cheered. Then the next thing we knew, she was taking on water in the engine room in fifty foot seas, off the continental shelf. The USCG sent two Sea Stallions for the sea rescue, creating a record for the most people on a Sea Stallion on one of the trips. I still remember the pictures of the Captain- a short, older, Greek man- I didn't have nice thoughts about him at the time (There were other rumors about decisions made on the ship attributed to him, too) I had the pictures from the USCG's web page bookmarked, but apparently they get archived after six months. I searched and searched to try to find them a few years ago, but to no avail Seeing the pictures taken from the Helicopter of that odd shaped wimming pool and all those deck charis piled up, the ship listing greatly, All I could thinks was that I swam in that pool. I sat in those chairs!

A very sad story. The insurance company paid off, as there was no way to bring her up from the depths she just happened to be at, most amazingly- Why wouldn't a worn out ship going to be refitted hug the shore, one might ask? Who knows. I believe her registry was Liberia- Which is another story entirely, as many in the ship business know. So no investigation was ever done. Case closed. A most humiliating end for the Seabreeze.

Oh we LOVED the ols "Breeze" sailed on her 7 times once a b 2 b she was quite a gal I have dishes from her ! it was family we had C-10 and put our snorkel gear in the bidget !

long live the Breeze as she is amoung the fishes just couldn 't have had a better time we had a group of 16 and decorated the tables etc. Next trip is Sat Nov. 26 Princess Sapphire my 50 th cruise I would much rather have been on the Seabreeze cindy Seal beach Ca.

Seabreeze was my dear husband and my first 7 night cruise. Won it on a cruise auction with some friends. We went in Feb. or Mar of 1999 to the Panama Canal. What a great crew! I also won $800.00 on video poker which more than paid for our cruise. LOL I couldn't believe it when I saw her sinking. :-(

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Seabreeze Dolphin & Snorkel Tour

On this family-friendly cruise, we venture out to balmy Backcountry waters to snorkel in Key West’s wildlife sanctuary before searching the Gulf of Mexico’s backcountry’s balmy waters before searching for Key West’s dolphins in the crystal clear waters for our local dolphin pods at play.

The tour starts on our Seabreeze catamaran, a 45ft Corinthian powercat, where you’ll have plenty of space to relax under some covered shade while the captains and mates share their knowledge of the ecology and wildlife of Key West. You’ll also have plenty of time to ask questions and gain new insights into our tropical paradise!

Jump in and discover the natural beauty under the sea with starfish, rays, turtles, conch, corals, sponges, and tropical fish. We will always bring you to the best snorkel spot of the day – from the artificial reef at Archer Key to the famous Great Florida Reef, the only reef located in the continental United States! Never snorkeled? No problem! All equipment is provided along with expert instruction. Come back aboard and wash off with our fresh water rinse and relax with a cold drink in the shade.

Every trip is different as we cruise along searching for dolphins and appreciating whatever Mother Nature offers up on any given day: Dolphins, eagle rays, sea turtles, ospreys, frigate birds, and migratory birds. During this time you’ll observe dolphins cavorting in their natural habitat among deserted tropical islands.

Be sure to book early as we limit this tour to 36 guests, well below boat capacity, to provide a spacious setting for everyone!

Please note that while dolphin pods are numerous in Key West’s backcountry and often seen, we can’t guarantee dolphin sightings on every trip.

Booking Information

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Seabreeze Sunset Harbor Cruise

Casa marina paddleboard rental, casa marina kayak rental, barefoot fishing, contact the listing owner.

[email protected]

305-296-3535 ext 7744

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