Big Red Boat Spotted on DCL!!!

[inkkognito]

I had a Big Red Boat sighting this morning, right at our table in Triton's here on the Wonder!!
On our first cruise, hubby bought the Nassau shirt that DCL sells here on the ship. He loves it, as it is a perfect DIS lime green, and it says "Nassau" across the chest with fish, palm trees, and a ship. I didn't look at it really closely until this morning, as we sat across from each other noshing on Eggs Benedict. I realized that while the ship has the correct red smokestacks with Mickey Ears, the entire body of the ship is colored red too!!! For some reason, that really tickled me...I would think that the ship would be any color BUT red, since I would think that DCL would want to keep as distant from the Little Red Barge as possible.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[Doctor P]

LOL.

 

[markºoº]

I pointed out the Big Red Boat tied up at Freeport to my 10yr old DS. He couldn't believe that it was actually a cruise ship! Disney has made a hugh improvement with the Wonder and Magic.

 

[dgroet]

My 7 yr old said the same thing! I was in awe also! Actually, as we compared all of the cruise ships we passed in port, the Disney ship (Wonder) is really first class.

 

[JLSE50]

When we took the MAGIC in 1999 the Big Red Boat was in Nassau when we were. We took a photo from our excurstion boat while we were behind the ships and I had it stuck on a kitchen cabinet as a momento. A teenager who saw it once said "Is that the Big Red Boat? I went on it when I was little, it's dinky." Cracked me up.

Does anyone know what Cruise line owns the BRB now and what it's name is?

thanks,
Jan

 

[markºoº]

The Big Red Boats were owned by Premier Cruise Line. Unfortunately, their banks siezed all 6 Big Red Boats last September and Premier halted operations. Guest were kicked off the ships at whatever port they happend to be in! At least two of their ships are currently tied up in Freeport.

 

[Buschfan]

Yes, the older ships like the BRBs were smaller. I still have respect for them as I do for the 40 yr old Norway that is still sailing. My favorite cruises have been older and smaller (relative to today's) ships where you didn't feel like just a number as a passenger. Please show respect for these older ships that were originally designed to cross the Atlantic and not just go in circles from Florida. I am also glad my children have had the chance to go on the older ships like the BRBs and not just the new floating Hyatt's.

 

[cruzindon]

Didn't one of their boats sink while under tow up the east coast after they were seized?

We too docked next to one in Nassau in Sept. of 1998 while aboard the Magic. It was much shorter both in height and length.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by JLSE50
Does anyone know what Cruise line owns the BRB now and what it's name is?

I did some research in January of this year. Here's what I found:

From 1984 to 1994, Premier Cruise Line ("The Big Red Boat") had an agreement with Disney to be the "Official Cruise Line of Walt Disney World." During that time, Premier operated various older ships, including the StarShip Oceanic, StarShip Majestic, and StarShip Atlantic. Premier sold 1-week land/sea vacations, along the same lines as the Disney Wonder today. There were even Disney characters onboard.

When the agreement with Disney ended, Premier struck a deal to have Warner Brothers cartoon characters for family cruises. By 1997, Premier was down to a single ship, the StarShip Oceanic.

After a change of ownership, Premier branched out beyond Port Canaveral, adding various "classic" ships. But with competition from major cruise lines with newer, larger ships, Premier found it increasingly difficult to make money. In September 2000, Premier Cruise Line shut down. At that time, Premier had six ships, including the prize of its fleet, the Rembrandt, built in 1959 as Holland America's Rotterdam V.

Here's what happened to the three main ships of Premier's Disney years:

• StarShip Oceanic (built 1965), which remained part of Premier Cruise Line until the company's demise, is still called the Oceanic, but is now operated by Pullmantur Cruises (Spain).
• StarShip Majestic (built 1972) is now the Flamenco, operated by First European Cruises.
• StarShip Atlantic (built 1982) is now the Melody, operated by Mediterranean Shipping Cruises (Italy).

In June 2001, the Orlando Sentinel ran an article about the fate of Premiere's final fleet of ships. In October 2001, Cruiseshares announced plans to turn the Rembrandt into a timeshare cruise ship.

It's amazing how many people don't realize that the Big Red Boat and the Disney Cruise Line are two entirely different cruise lines.

It's possible that if Premier had not pioneered the Walt Disney World land-and-cruise vacation concept, there would be no Disney Cruise Line today.

__________
source of information about three main ships of Premier's Disney years:
http://www.cruiseserver.net/travelpage/other/former_ship_names.asp

 

[inkkognito]

Speaking of older ships (and particularly those once owned by Premier), I did a little internet research yesterday after noticing the Imperial Majesty Ocean Breeze next to us in Nassau. The thing that caught my eye was that a hatch was open and two crew members were fishing out of it! Also, it looks like a number of the portholes are "boarded up" or sealed in some manner, and some of the other ones have some weird things in them...one has a skeleton hanging there, and another has a pair of fuzzy dice. I was really curious and discovered on the internet that the ship is almost 50 years old and was once owned by Premier...now it does two night cruises from Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau. Intriguing, but personally I prefer the floating Hiltons to boarded up portholes!! That ship seems to have an interesting history, tho'. Watch for it when you're in Nassau.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawaycub.com

 

[JLSE50]

A CM I spoke to once said that when people on the Big Red boat were unhappy about some aspect of their cruise they complained to Disney but Disney was only responsible for the character appearances and some of the other entertainment. That got them thinking that if people expected them to be responsible for the whole cruise, they would have to own the whole ship. And that is what launched the DCL idea.

I would be interested in cruising on a smaller ship someday, but am not sure I am interested in one like Barb described.

Jan

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

Originally posted by JLSE50

A CM I spoke to once said that when people on the Big Red boat were unhappy about some aspect of their cruise they complained to Disney but Disney was only responsible for the character appearances and some of the other entertainment. That got them thinking that if people expected them to be responsible for the whole cruise, they would have to own the whole ship. And that is what launched the DCL idea.

That's very interesting, JLSE50. And it would make sense since Disney goes to <b><i>great</i></b> lengths to protect the integrity of their brand.

 

[MaryJ]

We sailed on the old StarShip Atlantic about 11 years ago. Not long after that Disney announced that they would have their own line. We still haven't made a voyage on the new ships. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has been on both. Was there anything about the Big Red Boats that you prefered to the new ships? Or do the new ships put the old ones completely to shame?

 

[natsmom125]

Barb.....Natalie and Jim are calling the one we saw in Nassau the
GHOST SHIP...and Natalie is going to make up a story about it and make it a mystery with Scooby Doo and his gang.

I thought this was a great idea.

Later,
Phyllis

 

[JLSE50]

PHYLLIS: Would Natalie want to share that story when it is done??

Jan

 

[aprilgail2]

I went on the big red boat many years ago thanks to a trip given to us from the Make A Wish Foundation. We really loved it, but at he time we didnt have anything to compare it t. The rooms were MUCH smaller, the sail away party then was thrown in a cocktail lounge type room with all the characters there, it was cute. I really can't recall much more except for Plutos Playhouse, the kids loved it there so much they didn't even come out of it to get off the boat in Nassua with us! We also did 7 days at Disney along with the cruise so it was a nice vacation

 

[Rootee]

We sailed on the old StarShip Atlantic about 11 years ago. Not long after that Disney announced that they would have their own line. We still haven't made a voyage on the new ships. I would be interested to hear from anyone who has been on both. Was there anything about the Big Red Boats that you prefered to the new ships? Or do the new ships put the old ones completely to shame?

I was on SSOceanic in 1990 and SSMajestic sailing to the Abacos in 1992. I just went on the 7 Day Western Cruise on the Magic on 8/17.

Although I do not bash Premier and have fond memories of my cruises on the Big Red Boat, I can honestly say that there was nothing I preferred over Disney.

Some people have pointed out that there may have been more food choices on DCL's menu, but we felt that there was plenty of excellent food selections choose from. The Magic does not have the nightly midnight buffet (except for a dessert buffet one night on the 7 day cruise), but I often thought that the midnight buffet was a waste and just another excuse to shove in 5,000 extra calories. And Premier didn't have Palo! Ah! .....memorable daydream in process.....

The shows were far superior and there were more of them - family game shows, adult cabaret shows, themed "party" nights, quiet musical interludes in the lounges, big production numbers, etc.

I remember how bored we were on Premier the night we were in Nassau. We had a little one with us, and basically the whole ship was "closed" - no shows, no kids programs unless you had signed up for babysitting, etc. I remember my husband went to sleep early, I stayed at the wading pool with my 4yo and my 11 year old just wandered around the ship bored. That would NOT happen on Disney. With the exception of the ship's stores, all programs are still up and running when the ship is in port.

I felt servers and stateroom host/hostesses were very good on Premier but the cast members on the Magic were.........Disney, what else can I say?

Although my "little one" turned 17 a couple of days after we disembarked a few weeks ago, he thoroughly enjoyed Common Grounds. From all that I've heard/seen, the kids programs on DCL are far superior to anything that PCL had.

Even though the Magic is much bigger than the Oceanic (BRB's largest), the layout and directional signs were much more convenient. The staterooms on the Oceanic were considered very large at the time, but of course the Magic's staterooms' layout and size are much better. The option is there for a verandah - which I would very much recommend if possible.

What really struck me was the difference in width in the ships. There was just so much more room to move around up on the sun deck and sports deck. And of course, nothing can beat the wonderful promenade deck on 4 with those incredibly cozy padded loungers!

I have to say that all 3 cruises provided breathtaking private islands. Salt Cay and the island Premier used in the Abacos were just as spectacular as Castaway Cay. I was a little surprised to see that.

Just like the Disney Parks, with every glance and turn you can see little Disney "gems" - the themed uniforms of the crew, the art work, hidden Mickeys, the choice of music playing, etc.

So although I do not believe Disney put Premier "to shame", I feel I can safely say that if you enjoyed your Premier Cruise, you will positively "rave" about Disney Cruise Line.

Ruth

 

[atigeg]

Phyllis, that is HILARIOUS!!!
Fitting too, given the fact that there was a skeleton hanging in one of the windows. I searched on Cruise Critic and couldn't find out much about it. On the Imperial Majesty website, one of the categories is called "minimum," but there are no details. I keep picturing a toilet and cot, and maybe part of the deal is that you have to help row the ship. I keep teasing Tony that since it is only a two-night cruise, I'm going to drag him to Ft. Lauderdale to do it so he will appreciate Disney even more!!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[atigeg]

Phyllis, that is HILARIOUS!!!
Fitting too, given the fact that there was a skeleton hanging in one of the windows. I searched on Cruise Critic and couldn't find out much about it. On the Imperial Majesty website, one of the categories is called "minimum," but there are no details. I keep picturing a toilet and cot, and maybe part of the deal is that you have to help row the ship. I keep teasing Tony that since it is only a two-night cruise, I'm going to drag him to Ft. Lauderdale to do it so he will appreciate Disney even more!!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[JLSE50]

BARB: If you do that, you will have to write a trip report about the Imperial Majesty.

Jan