Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.
>>> Reader Reviews >>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery >>> Join Our Cruise Club.
Latest News...Disney Cruise Line announced today that the honorary role of "godparent" for its new ship, the Disney Treasure, will be held by The Walt Disney Company cast, crew, Imagineers and employees around the world. The profound declaration is a heartfelt tribute to the more than 200,000 dreamers and doers who make every Disney entertainment, vacation and at-home experience possible. Disney Cruise Line is proud to celebrate...
Latest News...Carnival Cruise Line is adding to its line-up of 2026/27 deployment with sailings from New York City on Carnival Venezia, and more Long Beach sailings on Carnival Firenze and Carnival Radiance. Our two Carnival Fun Italian Style ships offer great options from the east and west coasts, conveniently connecting New York and Long Beach to popular destinations, while delivering unique experiences on board...
Latest News...Vacationers are in for more ways to make memories across Royal Caribbeans latest combination of tropical and Northeast 2026-27 getaways. The lineup of 12 Royal Caribbean ships rounds out a variety of adventures across Florida, Texas, Puerto Rico and the Northeast for every type of family and vacationer to get away any time of year. Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members...
She still remains in Southampton !
Her first cruise for her new owners was due to depart from La Guaira on the 20th November 2009.
[ 11-05-2009: Message edited by: Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company. ]
"was due..." indeed. I very much suspect she is now going east & not west when she finally departs.
Pam
Her destination is still shown as Cartagena !
[ 11-06-2009: Message edited by: Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company. ]
---
Sale of Black Prince completed Friday, 06 November 2009 12:29 Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has completed on the sale of its ship, Black Prince, to the Venezuelan company Servicios Acuaticos de Venezuela Saveca C.A. (known as Saveca). The ship was handed over to its new owners this week in Southampton having completed the decommissioning process. Black Prince was built for Fred. Olsen in 1966 as a combined ferry/cruise ship, and since 1987 has operated as a full-time cruise ship. Carrying 412 passengers, its itineraries have covered destinations far and wide including Europe, the Atlantic islands, fjords and the Arctic, and the Caribbean.
Although her cruise career began originally in the south coast ports of Southampton and Dover, in recent years the ship opened up the UK regional market with cruises leaving from Newcastle, Leith, Greenock and Liverpool. Most recently, she operated out of the west coast ports of Greenock and Liverpool only. Managing director Mike Rodwell said: 'Black Prince has served us well over her 43-year life, and has certainly contributed to expanding our market of British cruise passengers. Her small size, friendly staff and convenient regional departure programme have all made her a firm favourite for cruising from the UK. Although she will be missed, the regional departure programme, which was so popular with our passengers, will be taken over by the 856-passenger Boudicca.'
Pame
St Kitts is about 3,526 nautical miles from Southampton !
At an average speed of 14 knots this should take her about 10.5 days !
Jochen
quote:Originally posted by PamM:She is departing tonight at 18:00 if anyone is in the local for a few photos.Pame
Hi Pam, was at work unfortunately, so only saw her from afar (couldn't get out for any pics).Maybe Patsy took some - we haven't seen her on here for a while though.The last photo I took was when she moved berth a couple of weeks ago, will upload it later.Brgds,Andrew
quote:Originally posted by Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company.:After she came down the Solent, according to the AIS map, she was sailing over towards the entrance to Portsmouth Harbour rather than being near the webcam on the Isle of Wight so nothing was showing on that webcam as she went past.
Hi Neil, due to her size, she would have been able to use the "North Channel" thus avoiding the turn at Calshot.Thats would make her further away from the Webcam, being the "mainland" side before she would join the main channel by the Forts and then out of the Solent into the Channel.
I thought she might have used the Needles baing so small, but that might have been down to the Pilot's next duty od weather conditions.
Brgds,Andrew
I downloaded the same pictures and having cropped them I took them to be the ferries crossing from the Isle of Wight to Portsmouth and not the Prince !
Hi Andrew
I did wonder if her course was anything to do with having a new Captain and crew on board who may not be famililar with the area.
Has anyone heard what crew were on board ?
*The lights are in the correct position, the stern lights the same as when she left berth & the same overall as from the Hythe Pier cam as she passed [though they take some working out as even poorer ]
Stick them in your 'archives' as the last views of her as she left our shores.
Ola Cruises have also been banned from advertising any cruises for their new ship Ola Esmeralda in Venezuala.
This is due to enviroment issues with the small islands she would have visited and which are considered too sensitive to withstand regular visits by the ship.
Mr Juan Aguilera who is the Chairman of SAVECA, who now own the ship, has said that they are open to all suggestions to avoid any enviromental impact on the islands.
[ 11-24-2009: Message edited by: Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company. ]
It would be nice to know what the current situation is.
She only arrived in La Guaira on Saturday and was welcomed by the Governor of the State with great acclaim "Carneiro said, feeling pleased with the arrival of the ship Ola Esmeralda, because "today we are taking an important step, to return to retake the motorway of the sea wonderful, we had stopped using for many years."
Rather odd, if the go ahead has not be given.
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.1.0.3
More Vacation & Cruise Specials...