when premeire ran the disney cruise?

[rsjj]

this may sound silly...but i read on another board, that another company ran disney cruise? does anyone know? what is the "red boat"? i'm just curious!

 

[tvguy]

Before they started their own cruise line, Disney had characters on the Big Red Boat II and Big Red Boat III, and promoted that cruise line. After Disney started their own cruise line, and the agreement with the Big Red Boats ended, that line floundered. Last I hear both boats are will docked in Nassau, unused.

 

[aprilgail2]

We took the Big Red Boat cruise many years ago with my godson Matthew for his make a wish....we had a ot of fun on it...then in 2002 Matthew was supposed to cruise with us on the Wonder April 28th...he died on April 8th and our cruise went to Nassau and Freeport back then...when we docked in Freeport I looked out my verandah and there was the Big Red "tug" Boat docked there. It was so weird to see it there, it looked like a tender boat compared to the ship we were on LOL!

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

this may sound silly...but i read on another board, that another company ran disney cruise? does anyone know? what is the "red boat"? i'm just curious!

Premier Cruise Line, founded in 1983, was the "official cruise line of Walt Disney World" before there was a Disney Cruise Line. Premier deserves credit for pioneering the WDW-land-and-sea packages, which are now offered on the Disney Wonder. Premier also deserves credit for establishing Port Canaveral as a significant cruise ship port.

Premier acquired or leased used ships such as the Royale (built 1958), the Oceanic (built 1965), and the Atlantic (built 1981). With their hulls painted red, they earned the nickname, "The Big Red Boat." (Later, Premier actually named their ships The Big Red Boat I, The Big Red Boat II, and The Big Red Boat III and the "Big Red Boat" logo gave the line its identity.

When Disney saw how the WDW-land-and-sea packages caught on with the public, they allowed the marketing agreement with Premier to expire and announced their own cruise line.

Premier continued for a number of years. When the Disney tie-in ended, Premier turned to Warner Bros' Looney Tunes characters. Through a merger, Premier's fleet of older ships grew. But, although Premier tried to market their "classic" ships as a virtue, the line could not successfully compete with the new generation of 70 thousand GRT and larger ships operated by the major cruise lines. Premier folded in 2000.

Premier never ran the Disney Cruise Line, nor was Premier ever involvd with the Disney Magic or the Disney Wonder.

JUST ADDED: I just found an interesting article, Remembering Premier Cruise Line, by Lisa Plotnick.

 

[PENCOYS PIRATE]

Hi, Have been reading with much interest as I use to be a crew member onboard the Majestic .
I use to work in the bar area's and recall having the most amazing times with the most amazing people from all corners of the world.
We worked hard but played hard as well, I celebrated my 21st birthday onboard, im now 35 so as you can see it was quite a while ago.
Anyway we are going to be taking our first cruise on the Wonder this May and we are all so excited, It will be really strange for me returning to the port and travelling as a passenger , mind you I would be very tempted to pick up a tray, or whizz up some daquries I would love to have a nose at the crew quarters just to see if they are similiar to what I was use to.
Anyway sorry to go on, just brings back memories of happy times and youth.
Chucklechops xx

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

My DH and I went on the Oceanic MANY years ago. We had a great time, but it was nothing compared to out sailing on The Wonder!
Does anyone remember what island the Red Boat used to go to? I remember Nassau, but not the private island....

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Does anyone remember what island the Red Boat used to go to? I remember Nassau, but not the private island....

Did you go to Salt Cay? Premier also went to Port Lucaya on some cruises.

 

[rsjj]

good to know!

 

[DisneyDotty]

We went on a Disney cruise back in '91 (I think)--I'm pretty sure it was through Premier. My good friend was in charge of managing the Disney characters on board. It was the same boat that was used in the filming of "Love Boat." We never made it to Disney's private island because of Hurricane Bob--nasty--everytime the captain tried to drop anchor, the boat started spinning and spinning. Very rough seas--husband had to hold on to me to keep me from falling out of bed. I was well acquainted with our stateroom's toilet.

 

[CamColt]

DH and I went on the BRB's Oceanic in 1995 for our honeymoon. It had switched over to Looney Tunes by then.

Ironically, as much as we all make fun of BRB, DH and I both agree the service and food were best on that cruise. We have since been on DCL twice and NCL once and nothing has measured up in those areas for us.

 

[Mary Anne]

I sailed on the "Big Red Boat" when it was the Oceanic leaving out of NYC to the Bahamas. It was 1969 and it was top of the line then. To tell the truth, as wonderful and the Magic and Wonder are it does not campare to the Oceanic when it was brand new.

 

[Sue (mom of 3 boys!)]

Horace Horsecollar~

SALT CAY, (99% sure) Thanks,now I remember. I should just go look at our photos and souveniers--I bet it's there

 

[leewrobe]

We do WDW every 5 years.In 95' we did 4 days PO and 3 days on the BRB. They had the Warner Bros characters..Bugs Bunny,Daffy Duck,Taz, Tweety,etc. Had a great time food and service were great.Next month we are going to POR and cruise on the Wonder.1st cruise since Red Boat..From what I have read,looking to top that last cruise

 

[joycepa]

My husband and I went on the Majestic in November 1989 for our honeymoon. This was our first cruise and we had a wonderful time. Next year we will celebrate our 17 year anniversary on the Magic.