Princess Cruises has announced the sale of Pacific Princess to an undisclosed buyer. The sale of the cruise ship is in line with parent company Carnival Corporation’s plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships from its fleet.
Pacific Princess first joined Princess Cruises‘ fleet in 2002, and originally entered service in 1999 as R3 for Renaissance Cruises. The boutique-style ship offered an intimate cruising environment, with a total of just 670 passengers, but incorporated many of the dining and entertainment options available on the cruise line’s larger cruise vessels.
Pacific Princess sailed more than 1.6 Million nautical miles, 11 World Cruises and offered distinctive itineraries to sought-after destinations all over the world. In fact, The Love Boat’s “Captain Stubing” and Princess Cruises Ambassador Gavin MacLeod was on the ship’s navigation bridge as the ship sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time to kick off the inaugural season sailing to Alaska from San Francisco in May 2003.
“Pacific Princess holds so many memories and cherished experiences to all who sailed upon her,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “Pacific Princess offered a traditional style of cruising to unique destinations. While it’s difficult to say goodbye to our ‘Love Boat,’ our World Cruise and exotic itineraries continue onboard our Medallion Class-enabled Island Princess and Coral Princess, featuring the best Wi-Fi at sea, allowing guests to keep in touch with loved ones and share vacation memories along the way.”
Another historic moment for Pacific Princess was sailing a throwback cruise, recreating the cruise line’s very first itinerary to the iconic Mexican Riviera in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Princess Cruises on December 3, 2015. Attending this special cruise included the main cast of “The Love Boat,” and together with the guests, they celebrated the role the show played in Princess Cruises’ five-decade-long history introducing cruise vacations to millions of people around the world.
About Pacific Princess
Pacific Princess was built by Chantiers de l’Atlantique, St. Nazaire (France). Originally the ship was set to enter service with Renaissance Cruises in 1999. Renaissance Cruises leased the vessel from a group of French investors. Renaissance Cruises had been in poor financial health for quite some time and the economic decline resulting from the September 11 attacks in 2001 ultimately led to the demise of the line on 25 September 2001.
Princess Cruises chartered the R Three, along with sister ship R Four (now MS Sirena) in late 2002. Both vessels entered operation by the end of 2002. When charter terminated at the end of 2004, both vessels were purchased by Princess Cruises. On 8 December 2002 the ship was renamed Pacific Princess, named after the earlier Pacific Princess which served as the ship featured in the television series, The Love Boat.
From 2002 to 2007 Pacific Princess was operated by P&O Cruises Australia (from November to April) and by Princess (from May to October).
At 30,277 GRT, Pacific Princess sailed with a maximum of 670 guests. The ship featured 338 Guest Cabins: 338 (312outside/26 inside): 10 Suites with private balconies, 52 Mini-suites with private balconies, 170 Balcony cabins, 80 Ocean view cabins and 26 Inside cabins. 5 cabins were wheelchair accessible. In total 232 cabins (74 percent of all outside cabins) featured a balcony.
The 11-deck ship featured one pool and two whirlpool spas. Amenities included one main dining room, Italian restaurant Sabatini’s, the Sterling Steakhouse, a burger & hot dog grill, a pizzeria and the Panorama Buffet.
Passenger services included: the Lotus Spa and firness center, a library and casino, internet café and card room and duty-free boutiques. Entertainment options included: the Cabaret Lounge and Pacific Lounge and a piano bar, pool bar and club bar.