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BeckyThane
Super Cruiser
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Posted: Mon Oct 1st, 2007 11:49 pm | 1st Post |
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Following is from the Vacations To Go e-newsletter dated 10/1/07:
I still receive mail from loyal fans of now-defunct Renaissance Cruises, most of whom are wondering where the lines' eight "R class" ships ended up. For all the R-ship fans out there, here's a brief summary of the cruise line's history and each ship's current name, location, upcoming itineraries and best deals.
Renaissance Cruises was founded in 1989, and ceased operations on September 25, 2001. During 12 years of operation, the company built a very loyal following of passengers who were drawn to their small ships, port-intensive itineraries and willingness to buck the cruise industry norms.
For example, despite the upscale nature of their ships, there were no formal nights. And until the final few months of operation, smoking was prohibited throughout their ships and children under the age of 18 were not allowed.
After Renaissance filed for bankruptcy, a company called Cruiseinvest purchased six of the eight R-ships at auction, with plans to lease or charter the vessels to existing cruise lines. The remaining two ships were re-possessed by the French Polynesian government.
The R1 and R2, both built in 1998, were out of service until 2002, when Frank Del Rio, former CEO of Renaissance and Joseph Watters, former president of Crystal Cruises, founded Oceania Cruises.
The new cruise line leased the R1 and R2 from Cruiseinvest and renamed them Insignia and Regatta, respectively. At first, many thought Oceania would be a reincarnation of Renaissance, but leaders at the new company were very careful to distinguish themselves as an entirely different line. The startup enjoyed immediate success and a 3rd Renaissance ship, the R5, was leased in 2005 and renamed Nautica. (From 2002 until 2005, the R5 was chartered by Spanish cruise line Pullmantur and operated as the Blue Star.) In 2006, Oceania purchased all three ships outright.
Around the same time Oceania Cruises made their debut in 2002, Princess acquired the R3 and R4 from the French Polynesian government and renamed them Pacific Princess and Tahitian Princess, respectively. Both ships were originally built in 1999. The Pacific Princess offers cruises to destinations such as Tahiti, the Mediterranean and South America, and will sail its first full World Cruise in January, 2008. The Tahitian Princess was originally dedicated to Tahiti cruises, but will offer cruises in Alaska next summer, as well as its first full World Cruise departing in January, 2009.
Built in 2000, the R6 was purchased by Pullmantur in 2002 and renamed Blue Dream. The R7, also built in 2000, was chartered by German cruise line Delphin Seereisen and renamed Delphin Renaissance. In 2005, Pullmantur purchased the Delphin Renaissance and renamed it Blue Moon. Late last year, Royal Caribbean acquired Pullmantur and eventually announced that these two ships would sail for a brand new cruise line, Azamara Cruises, as the Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest.
Last, but not least, the R8, built in 2001, was leased from Cruiseinvest by Swan Hellenic starting in 2003 and renamed Minerva II. The Minerva II sailed as the line's only ship for four years. In April, the ship was transferred to Princess' fleet and now sails as the Royal Princess.
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2007 02:40 am | 2nd Post |
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I never sailed on R, but I know several people who did and loved it! I never really heard why they went out of business. Do you know why?
____________________
32 previous cruises..
Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
Don't touch that triangle!
Adopt a pet from your local shelter & save a life!
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nhrich
Charter Member
| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Windham, NH |
| Posts: | 4455 |
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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2007 01:41 pm | 3rd Post |
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| They went bankrupt. One of the things that happened was that they cut out commissions to travel agents, so agents stopped selling them.
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Rich, ACC
Carefree Vacations
http://www.carefree-vacations.net
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Catnip
Charter Member
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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2007 02:10 pm | 4th Post |
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Yeah, I guess that would hurt them. And back then, the internet wasn't as popular in booking things yourself like it is now, I guess. Didn't this happen 4-5 years ago?
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32 previous cruises..
Next up: Last Atlantic crossing on QE 2 10-08/Celebrity Solstice 1-09/Jewel of the Seas 3/09
**Triangles Are For Losers!**
Don't touch that triangle!
Adopt a pet from your local shelter & save a life!
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nhrich
Charter Member
| Joined: | Thu Jun 29th, 2006 |
| Location: | Windham, NH |
| Posts: | 4455 |
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Posted: Wed Oct 3rd, 2007 02:46 pm | 5th Post |
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| Close...September 2001.
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Rich, ACC
Carefree Vacations
http://www.carefree-vacations.net
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ethan anderson
Member
| Joined: | Thu Mar 6th, 2008 |
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| Posts: | 1 |
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Posted: Thu Mar 6th, 2008 08:30 am | 6th Post |
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I didn't know for three year! afterward that his ship never reached China. ... But they do that almost to a. certainty on a day.
ethan anderson
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travel advisor provides information on travel and spirit airline.
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