Big Red Boat

[WorldlyWise]

Any survivors of the old Big Red Boat (Premier)? Now THAT was luxury! I wonder if I could talk DCL into Castaway Club credit for one of those cruises?

 

[aprilgail2]

We took that! It was Matts Make a Wish!! We actually had a ablast on there, it was a fun time! When we were on the Wonder and in Freeport we actually saw the Big Red Boat Docked up next to us (not in use of course!)

 

[LAMPSKIES]

It was in Freeport on our Wonder sailing Dec. 1, 2002. Someone said it was confiscated due to back port taxes......

 

[MinnesotaMouseketeers]

My wife and I did the Big Red Boat for our honeymoon back in 1987. We had a blast. For those who don't know, it is much smaller than the Wonder and Magic, I believe about a third the size. As soon as we left the harbor and got out into the ocean, the wind was blasting and the boat was being tossed all over the place. My wife and I were fine but I swear at least half the others were sick. The dinning room was very empty, sick bags along all the railings. I'm sure a lot of people didn't have fun the first night. Stayed in Nassau two nights instead of one because the next day was as bad. Canceled the day at the private island. Luckly our full day at sea was picture perfect. But the crew was fantastic and plenty to do. This was our first cruise and we've been on the Wonder twice now.

 

[dbond]

We were Big Red Boaters in 1997. It was our first family cruise, the kids had a blast. DH & I tolerated it, although we loved enjoying the ports with the kids, but we couldn't wait to take them on a real cruise ship. In 1998 on the Magic, it was so funny, she pulled in right next to us in Nassau. I have a great picture of the two next to each other. The kids were flabbergasted to see the difference. It really helped them to appreciate the upgrade!

 

[Verandah Man]

It's amazing how many people still think that Disney sails on the Big Red Boat. I don't know how many times I've heard, "Oh, you're sailing with Disney on the Big Red Boat." My reply, "No, I'm sailing on Disney's ship, The Magic." I still don't think they get it!!!

 

[Dznypal]

What a blast from the past.

It was our first big family trip (there were 14 at the time we are now up to 20 on these trips!!!)

We were on the Oceanic in March of 1994 one of the last Disney sailing before Premier went to Werner Brothers.

Gee I thought the ships would have been taken apart by now but from reading these posts it sounds like its docked in the Bahamas.

 

[cwf1028]

My first cruise was on the Big Red Boat, however it was in 1994 and Disney was long gone. I loved the excursions and loved that fact that the boat was so small. We were with a large amount of family and it seemed that no matter where we went, you ran into someone you knew. It was really a family type of atmosphere and the food was good and the staff was very attentive. We went the next year on Carnival and realized how run down the Big Red boat was, but the food was worse on Carnival and the cruise was just not as fun. Neither of these cruises were with kids and the Carnival one was actually my honeymoon. It was nice, but I think your first cruise is always going to be remembered fondly!

 

[Mary Anne]

The Big Red Boat was originally the Oceanic. I sailed on it when it was brand new in 1970. Paid $325 for a 7 night cruise, NY to Bahamas. Outside stateroom, O62.

It was the top of the line at that time. Personally, I still compare that cruise to every other I have been on and as great as Disney is, that cruise was the best.

 

[Stepharoonie!]

I remember going on Disney when it was the "Big Red Boat"!!

 

[GrayFal]

AS you can see in my signature, we went on the Big Red Boat as part of a Disney Land/Sea Package. I believe we did 3 night cruise/4 land. Then we went again for a 4 night; they had the Warner Bro. characters that time. And NO, you do not get Castaway Club Status for the previous sailings.....I asked!

We had a VERY fancy cabin the second time around - we did a last minute booking and I asked our TA to check if we paid a little more, what would we get.....we ended up on the top deck (equal to deck 8 now) in a mini-suite with balcony (only this top level had verandahs) 3 doors down from the Captain! Very Cool !!!

 

[videogal1]

A friend and I sailed on the Big Red Boat (Majestic) in 1989, stayed at an off-WDW hotel (across from Wet and Wild) for 4 days before the cruise and had such a great time that I did the same on the Oceanic in December 1990 with my mom and 13-year-old niece. Stayed at the Hilton in Disney Village that time...Had to wait until May, then December, of this year to get back to sailing... First the Wonder, then the Magic....Still a BLAST!!

 

[antmaril]

We did the Big Red Boat in 1991 when our son was 4 years old. We did a four day cruise and three days at WDW. It was the BEST vacation of my life. Ship was older and not nearly as nice as some of these new mega-liners, but we had such a good time. My son just loved the interaction with the characters and he was the perfect age for it.

We have great video and photos from that trip and the memories are priceless.

 

[CamColt]

Ah yes, we sailed on the Oceanic for our honeymoon...and its what turned us on the cruising. Ironically, even after 2 Disney cruises and another on NCL, DH and I still feel the service and food were best on the BRB. We dont know if its just because it was our first cruise and expectations were low, but we both agree on that.

 

[CPM]

Was it ever actually owned by Disney? I had heard it wasn't, and they just "rented" (for lack of a better word) out the characters.

 

[salbythec]

We did the Big Red Boat in 86! I just remember the buffets being sooo good!

 

[15minfromOGDL]

I went on the ship as part of a 3day land/4day sea vacation in 1987. I also remember vaguely staying at an off-site hotel across from Wet-n-Wild. The package included a rental car, 3 day pass to MK/EPCOT, and a hotel stay equivalent to your cabin category. I also have a picture in front of a large model of the Oceanic that sat in the CommuniCore (Innoventions) of EPCOT, I believe it was as big as the model of the Magic/Wonder at the port. Does anyone know where that private island was? Or the name of the island.

 

[kikipug]

My daughter is a souvenir from the Big Red Boat... (yes, just like the Disney commercial...) We cruised in late-May of 93... she will be 11 on Feb 28. That was our last 'pre-kids' vacation... I think we had the smallest cabin on the ship, with 2 twin beds that didn't move together... (that didn't matter, now, DID IT?)... we were in the very bow of the ship, and when the sudden storm came in, the waves were crashing against our porthole... but it was a great trip! CBR was new then- we stayed there for the 2nd half of our week.
The Atlantic & Oceanic were both Home Lines ships prior to Premier... HL was an Italian cruise lines... went twice as a child (when children DIDN'T cruise)... I was hooked and have had the cruise bug ever since!!!

 

[CamColt]

After our last Disney cruise DH & I were in the airport waiting for our flight. A woman started talking to us, telling us about her vacation and asking about ours. When we told her we went on a Disney cruise, she yelled over to her DH, "Hey Joe, they just got off the Big Red Disney Boat". It took all I had to keep from busting out laughing.

 

[rjh8115]

Was it ever actually owned by Disney? I had heard it wasn't, and they just "rented" (for lack of a better word) out the characters.

I believe Disney had an agreement with Premire. They did not own the ships (or the cruise line).