Pacific (ship)

MS "Pacific" is a cruise ship owned and operated by the Brazil-based Viagens CVC. She was built in 1971 by Nordseewerke, Emden, Germany as "Sea Venture" for Flagship Cruises. She operated cruises between the USA and Bermuda, which had been settled by the survivors of the original Sea Venture. Between 1975 and 2002 she sailed for Princess Cruises as "Pacific Princess", famous for appearing in the romantic sitcom "The Love Boat".

Between April and October 2008 the "Pacific" will be chartered to the newly-established Quail Cruises to operate cruises out of Valencia, Spain. [cite web |url=http://dougnewmanatsea.wordpress.com/2008/01/24/quail-cruises-unveils-2008-program/ |title=Quail Cruises Unveils 2008 Program |accessdate=2008-01-28 |last=Newman |first=Doug |date=2008-01-24 |work=At Sea With Doug Newman]

History

The ship began operation in 1971 with Flagship Cruises, under the name "Sea Venture". In April 1975 she was sold to P&O's newly acquired Princess Cruises along with sister ship "Island Venture". The pair were renamed "Pacific Princess" and "Island Princess", the latter now operating as the "Discovery".

Princess Cruises agreed to have their cruise ships featured in the television romantic sitcom "The Love Boat", which debuted in 1977. The ship featured in nearly every episode of the series (which was filmed primarily on sets in a production studio) was "Pacific Princess", although other ships also appeared, including "Island Princess". The term "Love Boat" was heavily used by Princess Cruises in their marketing, and became synonymous with the "Pacific Princess". The success of the up-beat television show, which remained on the air until 1986, is largely credited with the increase in popularity of cruise ship travel in North America.

In 1998 the "Pacific Princess" was impounded by police in Piraeus, Greece after 25 kg of heroin was found on board, smuggled by two Filipino crew men. According to police sources quoted in the BBC report at the time, there was evidence the ship had become a major tool for drug smugglers in the Mediterranean [cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/223926.stm |title=TV boat held after drugs seizure |accessdate=2008-02-25 |author=BBC |date=1998-11-29 ] .

The "Pacific Princess" was sold in 2001, but was leased back and continued to operate as part of the Princess fleet until 2002, when the former Renaissance Cruises "R3" replaced her and took her name. The "Pacific Princess" made her final voyage with Princess Cruises in October/November 2002, sailing from New York City to Rome, Italy. She then began operating for Pullmantur Cruises of Spain as the "Pacific", sailing in the Caribbean. "Pacific" is currently operated by CVC in Brazil during the Southern summer and by Quail Cruises in Spain during the Northern Summer.

tatistics

The "Pacific" is 168.8m long and 24.7m beam and was built at Nordseewerke, Germany. She is propelled by four medium speed Fiat diesel engines with a combined power output of 18,000 shaft horsepower. The engines are individually clutched and geared in pairs to each of the two shafts which drive controllable pitch propellers. This enables one or more engines to be shut down and declutched as required. As the "Pacific Princess" her tonnage was 20,636 GRT and she carried 646 passengers at a top speed of 21.5 knots, cruising at 20 knots. As the "Pacific", her capacity has been increased to 780 passengers and cruising speed reduced to 18 knots. Country of registry is the Bahamas.

References

* "P&O- Port Out, Starboard Home", David L. Williams, Ian Allen Publishing, 2002
* [http://www.quailcruises.de/international_english.html M/V Pacific at Quail Cruises web site]