what happened to dolphin cruise line

Wife's agony as holidaymaker, 23, is feared dead after falling overboard from cruise ship while on dream holiday to celebrate his mother's birthday

T he wife of a young Scottish man who is feared dead after falling from a cruise ship has spoken about her heartbreak following her husband's disappearance. 

Liam Jones, 23, of Dundee, who had been on the MSC Euribia, fell into the water last Saturday near the Netherlands .

It is believed the liner had set off from Southampton the previous evening and was heading towards the German port of Hamburg. 

Mr Jones is reported to have been travelling with family members.

His wife Sophie Mcphee, 20, told the Daily Record : ' I feel so lost. He's just...gone.

'I'm never going to see him again. I'm devastated.

'I have so many questions, and I'm not getting any answers to what's happened.' 

Ms Mcphee last saw her husband on March 14 when he travelled from Dundee to Glasgow to meet his family before embarking on board the ship in Southampton ahead of their cruise. 

She said she received a text message from her husband shortly before he vanished from the ship claiming he was feeling seasick. 

Ms Mcphee said her husband's sister informed her of the tragedy. She said she had seen CCTV which showed Mr Smith going overboard into the ocean. 

Ms Mcphee continued: 'I've not had any contact from anyone since.'

'I've been trying to get in contact with the MSC since Monday but it's been a headache. They're not getting back to me.'

The operator of the ship confirmed a ­passenger had gone overboard last Saturday and that authorities were notified. 

A spokesman for MSC Cruises said police in Southampton boarded the vessel ­yesterday to carry out inquiries for the coroner.

The young husband’s friends and relatives have spoken of their devastation and say they are desperate for more information.

His wife Sophia, 20, who was not on the trip, told the Courier newspaper: ‘I’m extremely ­worried about what’s happened and I’ve been desperately trying to seek information.

‘The horrible situation is not knowing exactly what has happened. Police Scotland has informed me officers in Germany are looking at the case.’

She posted a broken-heart emoji on her Facebook page next to a picture of her and Mr Jones on their wedding day.

His brother William Neil, 23, told the Courier he had been informed of the incident by Police Scotland at his home in Glasgow on Thursday night.

He said: ‘Liam’s family and friends are devastated by this news. We are really disappointed with MSC on their lack of communication over this.’

His sister Paula Devlin wrote: ‘The purest soul and best friend a sister could ask for.’ Mr Jones’s friend Jay Forbes, 23, said he had been trying to contact other passengers on board the ship via social media in an attempt to find out the circumstances.

He said: ‘We’ve been unable to get any accurate information as to what has happened to Liam. We are all just extremely worried and desperate for information.’

A spokesman for MSC Cruises said: ‘A passenger on board MSC Euribia went overboard on March 16 as the ship was sailing to Hamburg. This was reported to the authorities. The police in Southampton boarded the vessel yesterday and investigated.

‘We are deeply saddened by this news and our thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time. Out of respect for the ­family’s privacy, we will refrain from disclosing any additional information.’

The spokesman added that the company’s customer service team had been in ‘continuous contact’ with the family.

The Foreign Office said: ‘We are supporting the family of a British national following an incident in the Netherlands.’

Watch CBS News

2 Holland America crew members die during "incident" on cruise ship

March 23, 2024 / 1:20 PM EDT / CBS/AP

Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an "incident" in the ship's engineering space, the cruise line said.

The unidentified crew members died Friday while the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam was at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Holland America said in a statement.

Authorities were notified and the cause of the accident is being investigated, the cruise line said. 

"The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are the company's absolute priority," the cruise line said. The company also noted reports that these crew members perished in a shipboard fire are not accurate.

The cruise line did not offer any further details about the crew members, nor which agency was handling the investigation. The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip. 

Crew members were being offered counseling.

"All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our team members' families at this difficult time," the statement said. 

Crew member deaths are relatively rare. Researchers at Bowling Green State University found between 2000 and 2019, there were 623 reported deaths on cruise ships, and 89% of those deaths were passengers while 11% of those were crew members.

During the pandemic, four crew members were killed by non-coronavirus causes on  cruise ships with workers stranded onboard . 

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Travel | Royal Caribbean shuts down trips to Haiti….

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Subscriber only, travel | royal caribbean shuts down trips to haiti. here’s where its cruise ships are going instead..

Royal Caribbean announced suspensions of planned stops to Labadee, the cruise line’s private resort on Haiti’s northern shore, in the wake of continued violence and lawlessness in the island nation.

The announcement on Thursday came a day after Royal Caribbean said it would continue stopping at its private resort while “monitoring” for safety threats.

“The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority. Our Global Security and Intel Team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we are temporarily making adjustments to sailings visiting Labadee,” the cruise line announced.

So far, the suspension is in effect until March 22, the cruise line said. Plans beyond that date will be announced as decisions are made.

“We will continue to monitor and reassess calls as needed, and will communicate updates with guests directly,” the statement said.

The U.S. State Department has maintained a “Do Not Travel” advisory for Haiti since July 27, 2023, due to kidnapping, crime, civil unrest, and poor health care infrastructure. “Kidnapping is widespread and victims regularly include U.S. citizens,” the alert states.

The situation took a turn for the worse in early March as gangs attacked government buildings and the National Penitentiary, releasing an estimated 4,000 inmates. This week, Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation.

Labadee is an enclosed resort, built on a peninsula accessible only to Royal Caribbean guests and employees, that the cruise line has leased since the 1980s. The 260-acre property is located about 130 miles north of Port-au-Prince, where most of the violence is taking place. Travel by car from the capital to the resort takes six to eight hours.

The resort features a roller coaster, fishing and jet-ski areas, cabanas and beach access. Private security protects cruise ship customers when Royal Caribbean’s ships stop there.

Itineraries of six ships that sail from Florida ports will be affected by the suspension, which is scheduled to last through March 22.

Symphony of the Seas , departing Port Everglades on March 18. Labadee stop replaced by a sea day. Falmouth, Jamaica call time adjusted to 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Explorer of the Seas , departing Port Miami on March 17. Labadee stop replaced by Perfect Day at Coco Cay with a call time of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Oasis of the Seas , departing Port Miami on March 17. Labadee stop replaced by Falmouth, Jamaica, with a call time of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Grandeur of the Seas , departing Port Miami on March 18. Labadee stop replaced by Perfect Day at CocoCay with a call time of 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Adventure of the Seas , departing Port Canaveral on March 15. Labadee stop replaced by Grand Turk with a call time of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mariner of the Seas , departing Port Canaveral on March 16. Labadee stop replaced by Nassau, Bahamas with a call time of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This is not the first time Royal Caribbean has suspended stops to Labadee because of unrest in Haiti.

In 2016, the cruise line canceled three stops  after encountering local residents in small boats staging a protest.

Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at [email protected].

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Disney cruise line reveals name and theme of new ship.

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Disney Cruise Line revealed the name of its next ship, the Disney Destiny, along with details about ... [+] its design theme, “Heroes and Villains.” The ship, sister to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, will draw on the legacy of beloved Disney stories, characters and theme park attractions to forge a cruise vacation that will empower guests to embrace their own calling aboard every unforgettable voyage. (Disney)

Disney Cruise Line continues its rapid expansion with the reveal of the third Triton-class ship name and theme. The ship will be called the Disney Destiny, be themed after heroes and villains and is scheduled to be delivered in 2025.

The new ship continues Disney’s commitment to its cruise line , which launched the first Triton class ship, the Disney Wish in 2022 and is getting ready to launch a second, the Disney Treasure in December 2024. The cruise line also bought and is currently renovating a partially built ship to be called the Disney Adventure, which will homeport in Singapore. Disney bought the Adventure for a reported $44 million after Genting Cruise Lines fell into administration.

Disney Cruise Line revealed the name of its next ship, the Disney Destiny, as it reached a new ... [+] construction milestone today with the keel laying ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. With the good luck garnered by this maritime tradition, this sister ship to the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure is beginning to take shape. (Omark Reyes, photographer)

About The Disney Destiny

The design theme of Disney Destiny will continue Disney’s legacy of storytelling by drawing inspiration from movies, characters and theme park attractions. According to a press release, “The Disney Cruise Line and Walt Disney Imagineering teams were inspired by the dynamic duality of every great Disney story, where opposing forces of light and dark drive characters to rise to their purpose, when developing the Disney Destiny.”

Those who take a cruise on the ship will be able to enjoy spaces, experiences and entertainment themed around stories like The Lion King , Hercules and One Hundred and One Dalmatians .

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“The Disney Destiny will celebrate our most legendary Disney stories and characters, bringing them to life in new and exciting ways exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests,” said Sharon Siskie, senior vice president and general manager, Disney Cruise Line in a press release. “As we continue to expand our fleet, the Disney Destiny will further strengthen our position as a leader in family cruising as we offer even more ways for families to experience Disney magic and world-class service at sea.”

Home ports, cruise routes, cost and onboard activities are not yet known. Like the Disney Wish and Disney Treasure, there will be plenty of spaces for kids to play and spaces dedicated for adults to enjoy all around the ship. There will also be three main dining rooms that cruisers will rotate through during a sailing.

Cruising Is Back

According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruising is back in full force as of 2023. This is good news for Disney, who has three new ships debuting before the end of 2025. The 2023 State of the Cruise Industry CLIA report states that 85% of travelers who have cruised plan to cruise again, which is nine percent higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Disney Cruise Line guests can look forward to a signature island experience that celebrates nature ... [+] and the spirit and culture of The Bahamas at a new Disney port of call, which will be located on the breathtaking island of Eleuthera at a place called Lighthouse Point. (Disney)

Other Disney Cruise Projects

Along with new cruise ships, Disney Cruise Line is getting ready to welcome cruisers to an all-new private island destination in The Bahamas, Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point. The new island is set to welcome Disney fans for the first time in June 2024. With Lighthouse Point, Disney plans to invest between $250 million and $400 million into the project.

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2 crew members die during 'incident' on Holland America cruise ship

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an “incident” in the ship's engineering space, the cruise line said.

The unidentified crew members died Friday while the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam was at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Holland America said in a statement.

Authorities were notified and the cause of the accident is being investigated, the cruise line said. Crew members were being offered counseling.

“All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our team members’ families at this difficult time,” the statement said. “The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are the company’s absolute priority.”

The cruise line did not offer any further details about the crew members. It later said the Bahamas Maritime Authority was leading the investigation. The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip.

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Is it safe to travel to Haiti right now? What travelers should know

The State Department is urging Americans not to travel to Haiti amid fresh gang violence in the country, which declared a state of emergency last week.

While neither the warnings nor violence are entirely new – Haiti has been a Level 4: Do Not Travel destination in State Department travel advisories since before the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse – a spate of recent high-profile attacks, including an attempt by armed gangs to seize control of the country’s main international airport, has sparked renewed urgency. 

“The current security situation in Haiti is unpredictable and dangerous,” the U.S. Embassy in Haiti said in a security alert issued Sunday. “We are aware that there are few or no commercial options to depart Haiti safely at this time. As they become available, we urge U.S. citizens to take advantage of them. The U.S. Embassy’s ability to assist U.S. citizens is severely limited.” 

The U.S. military stepped in to airlift American personnel “into and out of the Embassy” to augment security, U.S. Southern Command said Sunday in a statement to USA TODAY. The embassy is also coordinating assisted departure flights "through non-commercial means" for U.S. citizens, according to its website .

Americans in Haiti can fill out crisis intake forms and enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program program for updates. 

Learn more: Best travel insurance

Here’s what airlines and cruise lines are doing about trips to Haiti:

Haiti violence: Military airlifts American personnel out of embassy as Haiti spirals into violence

Are there direct flights to Haiti?

Three U.S. airlines typically operate direct flights to Haiti: American, JetBlue and Spirit. However, all three have temporarily suspended service and issued travel waivers for the Caribbean destination.

◾ American Airlines customers with flights scheduled to, through, or from Port-au-Prince (PAP) through March 25 may modify flights without paying change fees. Changes must be made by March 25 with the same origin and destination cities as the original booking.

◾ JetBlue Airways is waiving change and cancellation fees for travelers with flights scheduled to and from Port-au-Prince through April 15. Changes can be made through April 30.

◾ Spirit Airlines is waiving change fees and fare differences on travel to, from, or through Cap Haitien (CAP) and Port-au-Prince through April 15. Travelers should rebook by April 30. After that, the airline said change fees would still be waived, but fare differences may apply.

Is Royal Caribbean still going to Haiti?

Royal Caribbean and its sister line Celebrity Cruises normally sail to Labadee, Haiti , a private destination roughly six hours away from Port-au-Prince by car. However Royal Caribbean is skipping several previously scheduled stops, in coming days.

The following sailings will not go to Labadee.

• Adventure of the Seas: 3/15 sailing 
• Mariner of the Seas: 3/16 sailing
• Explorer of the Seas: 3/17 sailing 
• Oasis of the Seas: 3/17, 3/24, 3/31, 4/7 and 4/14 sailings
• Symphony of the Seas: 3/17, 3/23, 3/31, 4/6, 4/14, 4/20 and 4/28 sailings
• Grandeur of the Seas: 3/18 sailing 
• Independence of the Seas: 4/4, 4/8, 4/18 and 4/22 sailings

"The safety and security of our guests, crew, and communities we visit are our top priority," a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said in a statement to USA TODAY. "Our Global Security and Intel Team is closely monitoring the evolving situation in Haiti, and in an abundance of caution, we are temporarily making adjustments to sailings visiting Labadee. We will continue to monitor and reassess calls as needed, and will communicate updates with guests directly."

As recently as March 11, the cruise line had not canceled any sailings to Labadee, but was keeping a close on the situation while noting that it had private security in the area, which was closed to the public.

It doesn’t look like any Celebrity cruises are scheduled there until fall.

Contributing: Nathan Diller, USA TODAY

Eve Chen is a travel reporter  for USA TODAY based in Atlanta. You can reach her at [email protected].

• Cruise History

Final Look: Remembering Crown Princess and Her History [PHOTOS]

Peter Knego

• February 3, 2021

Contents Show

In human terms, 1990 really doesn’t seem that long ago. But for cruise ships in the COVID era, that thirty year milestone has marked an ominous rite of passage. One of the latest and most striking casualties of the ongoing pandemic is the Karnika, which recently beached at Alang, India, for scrapping. If this unique ship looks familiar, that’s because she began her career as the rather revolutionary first Crown Princess for Princess Cruises.

At nearly 70,000 gross tons, Karnika is the largest passenger vessel to date to meet her fate on the notorious ten mile stretch of beach in India’s Gujarat Province. Like thousands of ships over the years, she was run aground off the coast of Alang and will gradually be winched closer to shore as her innards are removed and sold off and her hull systematically cut down over the next five or six months.

Specifications:

• 69,845 gross tons
• 811 by 105 feet
• 1,590 double passenger occupancy
• 1,910 max passenger occupancy

In the late 1930s, American architect Norman Bel Geddes came up with a futuristic design for an ocean liner that was inspired by a whale. The mostly “enclosed,” dome-topped, three funneled liner never made it past the drawing boards, although a model of her “in action” can be seen in the WC Fields movie, “The Big Broadcast of 1938.” In that film, she is portrayed as the Gigantic, a futuristic greyhound that races with a Normandie-esque Colossal across the Atlantic.

Now, let’s flash forward nearly fifty years later, when the managers of now much-lamented Sitmar Line were drawing up plans for a pair of 70,000 gross ton cruise ships that were to be built in Italy at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone. These two ships would represent a renaissance for the yard, which was formerly known as Cantieri Riuniti dell Adriatico and built some of the great Italian ocean liners of the twentieth century. The initial drawings promised a typically angular, modern ship of the time that was similar in overall appearance to the Sitmar Fairmajesty, a 65,000 gross ton cruise ship that was under construction in France.

Those design dynamics changed radically in 1988, when Sitmar’s longtime competitor Princess Cruises stepped in and bought the Sitmar fleet, including its newly built ship (which was completed as the first Star Princess ) and the as-yet-unnamed, future Italian-built twins.

Since the Princess new builds were to be the first major passenger ships to be constructed at Monfalcone since Costa Line’s Eugenio C of 1966, the Italian government enlisted Starchitect Renzo Piano to create ships that would turn eyes, drop jaws, and help return Italy to the forefront of passenger ship construction.

Piano took the Sitmar specifications and rendered a dome-topped ship with sweeping lines that were inspired by a dolphin’s profile. In many respects, his vision borrowed from the unrealized Bel Geddes liner envisioned fifty years prior. Piano’s initial drawings were eventually toned down for practical purposes but even so, for better or worse, his pair of ships would look like nothing else afloat at the time.

READ MORE: 9 Cruise Ships Scrapped in 2020

Construction on the new Princess ship, hull number 5839, to be named Crown Princess, was completed in May of 1990 when the ship was handed over to Princess.

Long before she became the serial godmother for MSC Cruises, Sophia Loren did the ship’s godmother honors in a gala ceremony in Brooklyn on September 25, 1990.

Here is a top-to-bottom look at the Crown Princess when she was in service for Princess Cruises.

Crown Princess had eleven passenger decks, beginning at the top with Sun Deck. The interior portion of Sun Deck housed The Dome, a fascinating space that appeared to have been beamed out of a Star Trek episode with its curvaceous ceiling supported by white ribs.

This potentially wonderful room would have been an excellent observation lounge, bar, and late night hideaway, were it not for its dual role as the ship’s casino, which resulted in the port side and forward center portion of the room being crammed with slots and gaming tables.

Frustratingly, the clutter and clang of slot machines and the odor of cigarettes perpetually wafted through the only space on the ship offering a forward facing view (and a lofty one at that, from just above the wheelhouse).

Sun Deck continued beyond The Dome with narrow terraces overlooking the pool area, leading aft to a games court at the stern.

The next level, Lido Deck, began with the wheelhouse and officer’s quarters. Guest areas started with Character’s Specialty Bar on the port side and the Presto Pizzeria starboard.

Sheltered and open space followed, surrounding two pools and a pair of jacuzzis. Had the ship’s dome not taken away from potential outdoor deck space, this would have been fine. However, it was just not enough on its own to handle the demand for sunning space.

Aft of the pools, the Cafe Cabana buffet dining venue also proved a bit small for the ship’s capacity. Beyond that, an open terrace overlooked the stern.

Aloha Deck began with more officer’s accommodation and guest suites (twelve suites and thirty-six mini suites) that led to less posh staterooms with and without balconies.

An open terrace with a pair of Jacuzzis overlooked the stern on this level.

Baja Deck began with the only forward-facing open deck, a pithy sliver of a terrace reached only by those willing to navigate long corridors of guest accommodations to get there. At the aft end of another level of mostly balconied staterooms, there was another open stern terrace.

Caribe Deck was also dedicated to accommodations, although only the two decks above were fitted with balconies.

READ MORE:  Explained: The CDC ‘Conditional Sailing’ Order for Cruise Ships

Dolphin Deck began with the upper level of the International Showroom, followed by a Card Room on the port side and the Library on the starboard side.

The Stage Door — an attractive cabaret lounge with a sunken dance floor — followed the forward vestibule, leading to more accommodations that stretched from midship all the way aft.

Promenade Deck began with a pair of finite, sheltered, teak-lined promenades on either side.

The interior portion of this level featured the lower portion of the International Showroom. Following the forward vestibule, a pair of shops and the Chianti Bar overlooked the ship’s oval-shaped Plaza atrium.

Two smaller bar/lounges — Kiplings and Intermezzo — followed, leading ultimately to the Crown Court, the ship’s main dining room, situated in the stern.

The Crown Court was a relatively elegant space with tall ceilings, multiple pillars, and floral patterned, frosted glass partitions.

On Emerald Deck, there were more accommodations, the mid level of the Plaza, which was flanked with shops, and further aft, there was the Princess Theater, a 169-seat cinema and meeting room.

Plaza Deck was where most guests entered the ship — at the bottom of the Plaza itself, where a fountain sculpture, the Purser’s Office, and La Patisserie snack specialty coffee bar beckoned between blocks of accommodations. The understated Plaza was a precursor to the more fussy, Italianate Piazzas that would be featured on future Princess ships.

Fiesta Deck had some cabins on its port side, as well as the Medical Center. Down at the very bottom Holiday Deck level, there was a disco, gym, aerobics room, and small spa.

“Functionality should never be an excuse for ugly things.” was the motto of the celebrated Italian marine architect Nicolo Costanzi, who was known for designing some of the most beautiful liners of the 20th Century.

With the Crown Princess, that maxim could have been modified to “Striking aesthetics should never be an excuse for a lack of functionality.” This may have been exacerbated by enlisting an architect that was not necessarily schooled in maritime design.

Within a few short years of the Crown Princess’ debut, balconies had become a standard feature in the mainstream cruise market. The ship’s relatively limited inventory of verandah staterooms, combined with her shortage of ample deck space and almost complete lack of forward observation worked against her.

With Princess’ rapidly expanding fleet and the introduction of two new, larger platforms (Sun and Grand) of more technically advanced and profitable ships, the Crown Princess and her 1991-built sister Regal Princess found themselves quickly outmoded. The Crown lasted under the Princess banner for a mere 12 years before embarking on the first of several new incarnations.

In July 2001, Carnival-owned P&O Princess created A’Rosa Cruises, a new German-based brand that would utilize the Crown Princess as its first ship. The ship was sent to Bremerhaven for a make-over, emerging as their A’Rosa Blu in the summer of 2002. After a shaky debut, the startup line was reorganized as AIDA Cruises and the A’Rosa Blu ’s name was changed to AIDAblu.

In 2007, the AIDAblu was transferred to yet another Carnival subsidiary, the U.K.-based Ocean Village brand. After another refit, she was renamed Ocean Village Two but by October of that year, Carnival decided to shut the new operation down.

In 2009, the Ocean Village Two was sent to Singapore for another refit, emerging late that year as the P&O Cruises Australia vessel Pacific Jewel.

In 2018, P&O Cruises Australia announced the ship’s replacement with the former Princess Cruises Star Princess (ii). In February of 2019, Pacific Jewel was sold to Zen Cruises, who renamed her Karnika for Mumbai-based Indian Ocean cruising under the Jalesh Cruises brand. Alas, this venture would be the latest of many such Indian-based operations to fail, with its demise accelerated by the COVID-19 cruise industry shutdown.

The ship was sold for scrap in November of 2019 and arrived at Alang late that month.

When the ship was Pacific Jewel, she was featured in the Australian soap opera “Neighbours” in 2010.

Past Incidents:  In October of 2019, as Karnika, the ship suffered mechanical issues, forcing the cancellation of three cruises.

Refurbishments: 1995, 2002, 2007, 2009, 2019

Sister Ships:  The 1991-built Regal Princess was nearly identical to the Crown Princess. Ironically, after the failed attempt to bring the former Regal Princess to Panama to house tech workers as the Satoshi, that ship was sold for scrap and is now en route to join her former sister at Alang.

Like almost every cruise ship afloat, Karnika was forced into layup as the COVID-19 pandemic spread. She sat idle in Mumbai, and despite plans for a return to service in 2021, she was sold for scrap and sailed off to Alang, where she was beached in November of 2020.

Sadly, Karnika will be just one of many cruise ships consigned to the scrap heap in 2021.

Other ships in our Last Look series :

• Carnival Fantasy
• Carnival Imagination
• Carnival Inspiration
• Monarch of the Seas
• Sovereign of the Seas

All photos by and copyright Peter Knego unless otherwise noted.

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Why Royal Caribbean isn't going all in on massive cruise ships despite the wild success of its new Icon of the Seas

• Royal Caribbean International has unveiled a swath of giant cruise ships over the past few years.
• Its CEO said its new world's largest ship, the  Icon of the Seas,  is its "best-selling product" ever.
• But the cruise line doesn't plan on going all in on megaships forever.

Earlier this year, guests at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay private island were the first to revel at the historic sight of the world's largest cruise ships, Icon of the Seas and Wonder of the Seas, docked side-by-side.

The vessels towered over their communal dock like skyscrapers, casting a dark shadow over their relatively tiny shared pier.

Together, they can accommodate about 19,250 people.

At 1,196 feet long and weighing 248,663 gross tons, the Icon of the Seas is a sight to behold. When it launched in late January, the giant vessel upstaged its eight-foot shorter predecessor, the Wonder of the Seas , as the world's biggest.

At the time, it was no surprise: Every new Royal Caribbean ship seemed to dethrone another Royal Caribbean ship for this title.

But not for long.

The company's smaller ships, important for diverse trips, are aging.

The company is synonymous with its mega vessels. And they've been mega-hits: Michael Bayley, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, has repeatedly called the Icon of the Seas the "best-selling product" in the company's history.

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Royal Caribbean is set to launch four more megaships by 2028 — representing about a third of its total fleet. So far, most of the megaships' scheduled sailings are in the Caribbean.

The other 21 smaller vessels tend to have more specialized itineraries, Patrick Scholes, the managing director of lodging and leisure-equity research at Truist Securities, told Business Insider.

Given their trimmer sizes, these vessels can operate more sailings outside the Caribbean , which often reel in high fares and customer satisfaction for the company, Jay Schneider, the chief product-innovation officer at Royal Caribbean Group, told reporters in January. Think of the Mediterranean, Alaska, and South Pacific itineraries — the latter are especially important as the cruise line continues to ramp up business in Asia.

But these destination-flexible cruise liners are aging as Royal Caribbean continues to unveil their giant counterparts. The company launched its four oldest Vision-class ships, with a maximum 2,730-guest capacity, between 1996 and 1998.

They're tiny and old compared to the 2-month-old, 7,600-guest Icon of the Seas .

Looking ahead, Royal Caribbean plans to return to the basics: smaller cruise ships.

Despite the cruise line's success with mega-vessels, Schneider said Royal Caribbean is now considering a new class of ships that would start "smaller" — noting that he was "careful to say small, but less-than-large."

"The reality is, families want to go on vacations not just in the Western and Eastern Caribbean where a ship like Icon can get into," Schneider said. "They want to stay with our brand and journey to different destinations that require more versatility in ship size."

Desirable destinations such as French Polynesia and Venice, Italy, have limited visiting cruises , including size restrictions, to curb pollution and overcrowding. But, as Schneider said, small-vessel-enabled specialized itineraries are also important to travelers.

Giant mass-market floating resorts also often attract first-time cruisers, enamored by their family-friendly water parks and Broadway-style shows. But after a few good vacations at sea, these no-longer-new-to-cruising guests might start craving quieter ships or more bespoke itineraries.

"Alaska cruises tend not to be the first-time cruiser," Scholes told BI. "I don't really see Icon of the Seas doing a Norwegian Fjord or Alaska trip."

Plus, "there's probably only so much demand for these giant ships," Scholes said.

Royal Caribbean has already succeeded in the first part: bringing in a swath of new cruisers with its megaships. Now, it has to retain them.

Watch: Inside the world's biggest cruise ship that just set sail

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Jouni Niskakoski/Shutterstock @destinationftk/Tiktok (Licensed)

‘Can we get a do-over?’: Traveler calls out Carnival Freedom cruise. Here’s why

'i was just in a carnival cruise and the same thing happened to me'.

Grace Fowler

Posted on Mar 20, 2024   Updated on Mar 20, 2024, 11:28 am CDT

A Carnival Freedom cruise traveler posted a viral video complaining that the ship didn’t drop them off at one of the scheduled ports.

TikToker @destinationftk has reached over 351,000 views and 1,300 likes on her video by Wednesday. She captioned her video, “Carnival Freedom was a BUST. Can we get a do-over?!”

@destinationftk starts her video by telling the audience that the cruise did not stop in Grand Turk, an island in Turks and Caicos, as it was scheduled to the day prior. 

“They said that the wind was up too high for us to dock safely,” she says. 

Next, she says, “Today, they done brought us through the Bahamas. But they ain’t stop.”

“We is tired of being on this damn boat,” she continues. “They couldn’t stop nowhere and let us out for a while? I don’t believe it.”

Her next complaint is that Carnival brought the ship through the Bahamas rather than taking another route.

“‘Cause you didn’t have to go this way to take us home. You could have went around,” she says.

@destinationftk tells Carnival, “I’m feeling some type of way.” She says the only thing travelers have received so far for a refund is “$16 for the taxes, the port fees.”

“We can’t even buy a drink for that,” she adds.

Then she asks, “Carnival, what is y’all gonna do? I’mma need you to check the books and see what y’all got for us because, baby, this ain’t gonna do.”

She says that she’s been on the ship “all day, every day” and has “only had one stop.”

“And I’m sad about that,” she says. “People’s was telling us how pretty and beautiful it was, and all of that stuff, and we ain’t even get to see it.” 

Before ending her video, @destinationftk says she will be booking another cruise in hopes of still visiting Grand Turk. 

“So what y’all gonna do?” she asks.

@destinationftk Carnival Freedom was a BUST. Can we get a do-over puh-lease?! #CarnivalCruiseLine #CarnivalFreedom #AmberCove #GrandTurk #DestinationFTK #VacationVibes ♬ original sound – Destination FTK

Viewers in the comments section gave @destinationftk tips on booking her next cruise. 

“Do not choose this season again to travel by cruise, the weather is very changeable. I am from the Caribbean, the best months are between March to June and October to November,” one said.

Another viewer joked, “Dang… Carnival control the weather will ya??”

“Cruise documents ports aren’t promised. That’s why they give you the port fees back,” one added.

The Daily Dot reached out to Carnival Cruise Line via email and @destinationftk via TikTok comment for more information. 

In recent headlines, a traveler called out Carnival for inconsistent information at the front desk, and another says Carnival cut them off at the bar even though they purchased the drink package. 

The internet is chaotic—but we’ll break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dot’s web_crawlr newsletter  here  to get the best (and worst) of the internet straight into your inbox.

Grace Fowler is a summer reporting and media fellow with the Daily Dot. She's a recent graduate of Texas State University, where she studied mass communications.

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This Cruise Life

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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What Happened to the Canberra Cruise Ship?

By Alice Nichols

The Canberra Cruise Ship was a huge vessel that had been in operation since the mid-1980s. It was one of the largest cruise ships in the world and was considered a symbol of Australian maritime pride. Unfortunately, the ship met its end in 2010 when it capsized off the coast of Indonesia during a storm.

At the time, there were over 2,000 passengers and crew members on board, most of whom were from Australia and New Zealand. As the ship sailed through rough seas, it was hit by huge waves which caused it to list heavily to one side and eventually capsize. The majority of passengers were able to escape using lifeboats, but at least 11 people sadly drowned.

The cause of the accident was determined to be due to poor maintenance and inadequate safety measures on board. An investigation found that vital safety equipment such as life rafts had not been inspected for years and that crew members had not been properly trained in emergency procedures. In addition, the captain had chosen not to alter course despite warnings from meteorologists about an impending storm.

The Aftermath

Following the tragedy, all remaining Canberra Cruise Ships were decommissioned and removed from service. The company that owned them declared bankruptcy soon after and has since gone out of business. In addition, criminal charges were brought against several executives who were held responsible for negligence.

What happened to the Canberra Cruise Ship was an absolute tragedy that could have been avoided if proper safety protocols had been followed. The loss of 11 lives serves as a reminder to all companies who operate vessels at sea that safety must always be their number one priority.

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2 crew members die during 'incident' on Holland America cruise ship

Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an “incident” in the ship's engineering space

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Two crew members on a Holland America cruise ship died during an “incident” in the ship's engineering space, the cruise line said.

The unidentified crew members died Friday while the Florida-based Nieuw Amsterdam was at Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas , Holland America said in a statement.

Authorities were notified and the cause of the accident is being investigated, the cruise line said. Crew members were being offered counseling.

“All of us at Holland America Line are deeply saddened by this incident and our thoughts and prayers are with our team members’ families at this difficult time,” the statement said. “The safety, security and welfare of all guests and crew are the company’s absolute priority.”

The cruise line did not offer any further details about the crew members. It later said the Bahamas Maritime Authority was leading the investigation. The ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale on March 16 for a seven-night trip.

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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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