Regal Princess to leave Princess fleet

[glesesne]

From today's news...

 

December 20, 2005

 

Princess Reassigns Regal Princess...Again

 

Princess Cruises, which had, earlier this year, announced that Regal Princess would be transferred out of the fleet before changing its mind and, er, saying that now it would stay, has once again changed its mind. The 70,000-ton, 1,590-passenger Regal Princess, which debuted in 1991, will be headed to P&O Cruises Australia but will not be leaving until it completes already announced 2007 itineraries for Princess.

 

The name has not yet been decided, says Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises' senior vice president for customer service and sales. Regal Princess nee-name-yet-to-be-determined will join a fleet that includes Pacific Sun and Pacific Star.

 

P&O Cruises Australia, a sister company, has other fleet-related news to impart. In the announcement that actually spurred the latest reassignment of Regal Princess, its Pacific Sky - the last remaining steamship in the Carnival Corporation fleet of cruise lines -- will be sold to the Spain-based Pullmantur. Pacific Sky will be pulled out of service on May 6, 2006.

 

Trouble is, that's right in the middle of the ship's already announced Asian season (which runs from February to November), cruises which were marketed to North Americans as well as Australians. Passengers will be contacted and refunds offered; there is no compatible cruise replacement at that time, however.

 

Swartz, in an interview with Cruise Critic, pre-emptively anticipated -- and then answered -- our own question about whether Princess is actively transitioning to a fleet that is comprised solely of big ships. "Princess is absolutely committed to continuing to serve our passengers who appreciate the small ship experience by offering fantastic itineraries on Pacific Princess and Tahitian Princess," Swartz says firmly.

 

And so that would appear to put to rest the rumors, running rampant through the cruise industry, that Oceania Cruises is this-close to signing a deal to purchase Pacific Princess. It, along with the identical 30,277-ton, 680-passenger Tahitian Princess, were formerly part of Renaissance Cruises R-series. Oceania is currently operating three of the former cruise line's vessel of eight and is said to have its eye on more.

[mummsie]

yes. We were booked to go on a cruise in July. We have been notified by our TA that its been cancelled. We are today booking on the Star Gemini or Virgo - not sure which yet until my husband advises me which one he got the best deal on. I am a little cheesed off as we are now stuck with no choice other than the Star line which is more expensive. No way we can afford a balcony on their ships. But I guess any cruise is a good cruise. Gayle

[Globaliser]

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