Anybody ever go on that? It's out of business now. It features Looney Tune characters instead of Disney characters (Like the Disny Cruise ships).

17, I sailed on 2 Big Red Boat cruises with my family when my kids were young. They used to have Disney characters onboard, but Disney terminated their contract with that cruise line when they started anticipating building their own Disney ships. It was then that the Big Red Boats started having Looney Tunes characters onboard instead of the departed Disney.

We had a great time on both cruises. Great kids' programs, the best on a cruise ship at that time.

Sandy

Oh I never knew it had Disney at one time. It was my first cruise. I was 6 at the time. I remember it was so much fun.Do you happen to know why they discontinued it.

It was an older ship without the amenities that newer ships have, and once Disney launched their own cruise line, it just couldn't compete.

"The Big Red Boat" was a nickname given to the ships of Premier Cruise Line. Actually, there were 4 ships to start: Atlantic, Majestic, Royale and Oceanic. We sailed the Oceanic and Atlantic when they were still partnered with Disney.

Sandy

Karen u went on it too? wow there was more to it? I only thought it was one ship. i think i remember sumthing about "the little red boat" what was that about?

Robyn,

the most famous "Big Red Boat" was the S/S "Oceanic", still sailing under that name today, but for Spanish operator Pullmantur Cruises:



Then there was the "Royale", which sank in December, 2000 off Cape Charles with no casualties:

http://www.faktaomfartyg.com/royale_1958_b_1.htm

Another "Big Red Boat" was the "Starship Atlantic", today MSC Crociere's "Melody":

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/PremierJPEGs/StarShipAtlantic01.jpg

And then, there was also the "Starship Majestic", today operating as "Elysian Flamenco" for Spanish operator Globalia:

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/FestivalJPEGs/StarShipmajestic01.jpg

In 2000, the year of its collapse, Premier Cruises decided to rebrand another two of its ships which previously sported blue hulls "Big Red Boats". Plans to rebrand the "Rembrandt" (the former S/S "Rotterdam"), as well, were abandoned after major protests from shiplovers all over the world.

Instead, Premier chartered the ship "Edinburgh Castle" from its owners, British Cammell Laird shipyard, and renamed it "The Big Red Boat II". The ship was laid up following Premier's bankruptcy in September, 2000 and was scrapped in India, last year:

http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/PremierJPEGs/BigRedBoatII-03_CC320.jpg

Also, Premier's own "IslandBreeze" was renamed "The Big Red Boat III". This ship was scrapped in India in 2003:

http://members.aol.com/draikar/images/ib4.jpg

I think Premier's biggest mistake was when they renamed all the ships to "Boats". It just never made sense to rename a classic ship like the "Festivale" (renamed "Island Breeze") then call it "Big Red Boat III". It was about as bad as Renaissance naming their ships R1, R2,.etc.

Cruise Fanatic,

I agree that it makes no sense naming a classic cruise liner "boat".

But then IMHO this was not a main reason for Premier's demise. The charter of "The Big Red Boat II" was a technical nightmare and mismanagement (anybody remember the "Seven-Star Service" joke?) was a major factor, as well. Can you spell N-I-E-R-E-N-B-E-R-G?

Thanks for the pictures and commentary. lol all of em look very much alike, hard to tell em apart

quote:

Originally posted by Raoul Fiebig:
But then IMHO this was not a main reason for Premier's demise. The charter of "The Big Red Boat II" was a technical nightmare and mismanagement (anybody remember the "Seven-Star Service" joke?) was a major factor, as well.

Raoul, I agree completely. I remember the frequent breakdowns of BRB II during summer 2000 -- plus the time she snagged a telecommunications cable off the coast of Rhode Island. And all those incarnations to combat the competition -- first Warner Brothers, then a focus on the classic ships, then back to family-oriented cruises (from one BRB to three), and then the "Seven Star Service" debacle.

Soon after Premier met its demise in late 2000, I wrote an article for the online SeaLetter Cruise Magazine (now owned by CruiseReviews.com) that detailed its history, ships, and crew. Of all the articles I have ever written, this generated the greatest number of e-mail responses -- and all were positive. Five years later, I am still getting e-mails. It's nice to hear that so many had such wonderful memories.

We sailed on the Big Red Boat as well stopping at Nassau and Freeport. We also spent one day on a small cay. Do you remember doing this as well and if so do you remember the name of it?

quote:

Originally posted by Sandy:
17, I sailed on 2 Big Red Boat cruises with my family when my kids were young. They used to have Disney characters onboard, but Disney terminated their contract with that cruise line when they started anticipating building their own Disney ships. It was then that the Big Red Boats started having Looney Tunes characters onboard instead of the departed Disney.

We had a great time on both cruises. Great kids' programs, the best on a cruise ship at that time.

Sandy

Was it Great Stirrup Cay?

Can't remember...

Sandy

Premier used Salt Cay, also known as Blue Lagoon Island. What a beautiful place!

My first cruise was on the Starship Majestic, a 4 day cruise from Tampa to Cozumel. The ship seemed so large at the time, and the Loony Toon Characters were loads of fun. We all got our photos taken with the captain on captain's night, try that on the larger ships. That cruise opened up the wonderful world of cruising to us and I'll always have great memories of her. I am thrilled she is still in use in Spain and not broken up.
Jim.

Which of the Big Red boats was docked in Freeport since 2000? I believe one of the locals told me that there were 2 of them, but during one of the hurricanes one floated out towards sea, but they were able to get her back to port. I have a picture but not sure how to upload it of her sitting in dock in Freeport in 2003 and 2004.

Carol,

there were indeed two "Big Red Boats" in Freeport. "Big Red Boat II" and "Big Red Boat III". Both have since been scrapped.

I know this is my first post here but I was doing a google search for BRB and found this thread. My wife and I's first cruise ever was August 2000 on the Big Red Boat 1 from Pt. Canaveral to Nassau, Blue Lagoon and then we were supposed to have a sea day but had to port in Freeport instead. We had a lovely time and it got us hooked on cruising. I was sad to find out that Premire went out of business no less than a month later. To this day I cherish the memory of laying in a hamock in the shade at Blue Lagoon, swaying in the breeze listening to the ocean with my wife. That is one of my happy places. Anyway, thanks for the memories!

Welcome cdillon23, and thank you for your memories. Hopefully, you've made some new ones that are as nice. Look forward to seeing more posts from you. Best wishes!!

quote:

Originally posted by penny3333:
Welcome cdillon23, and thank you for your memories. Hopefully, you've made some new ones that are as nice. Look forward to seeing more posts from you. Best wishes!!

We have. We took our two kids on the Carnival Celebration last year, back to Nassau, haha. They had a wonderful time.

This year in Nov. the wife and I are going on th e Legend of the Seas. Just the two of us. It is going to be great.

Thanks for the welcome!