Cruise Talk: Regal Empress to Imperial Majesty Cruises

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Regal Empress to Imperial Majesty Cruises

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Topic: Regal Empress to Imperial Majesty Cruises

Westerdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 2093

posted 05-23-2003 01:11 PM

Regal Empress sold at auction today in Tampa for $1.75m to Celebration World Cruises, Inc. and will sail under charter to Imperial Majesty Cruise Line. Art Pollack is the president of both entities. Regal Empress is expected to operate the same schedule as Imperial Majesty’s OceanBreeze: two-night cruises from Port Everglades to Nassau.

Posts: 329 | From: Waukegan, Illinois | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Britanis
First Class Passenger
Member # 2912

posted 05-23-2003 01:35 PM

This is wonderful news!!! (Especially for me, since Imperial Majesty is one of the few lines in the US that allows 18-year olds to sail without parental supervision.) A second chance to sail on Regal Empress! I wonder when we can expect Imperial Majesty to begin accepting bookings? Two back-to-back 3 nighters would be great.

Posts: 944 | From: Philadelphia, USA- former home of International Merchantile and Marine Co. | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

Noordam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3811

posted 05-23-2003 02:10 PM

I am amazed and stunned - but this is a good deal for Imperial Majesty. Hopefully they will be able to keep costs down, the ships running without incident, and run and full capacity. Who knows they may have a shot and lasting!!!!

If I were to choose the Oceanbreeze or the Regal Empress - I would choose the Regal Empress!!! Congrats!

Posts: 441 | From: Los Angeles | Registered: Apr 2003 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 05-23-2003 02:30 PM

Hi Britanis,

Give yourself a graduation present and sail her. There are a few single cabins on the Main Deck aft.

She is a roller and you will develop sea legs. However the ship is still quite a charmer that few other ships can match.

quote:
Originally posted by Britanis:
This is wonderful news!!! (Especially for me, since Imperial Majesty is one of the few lines in the US that allows 18-year olds to sail without parental supervision.) .

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Britanis
First Class Passenger
Member # 2912

posted 05-23-2003 03:57 PM

quote:
Originally posted by desirod7:Give yourself a graduation present and sail her. There are a few single cabins on the Main Deck aft.

That's exactly what I was thinking. Of course, OceanBreeze sails on 2-night itineraries only. If Regal Empress is deployed on same length cruises, 2 back-to-back would still by only 4 days. I can live with 4 days, but it would be nice if they deployed her on a few longer cruises, let OceanBreeze handle the weekend crowds.

In the end, I don't care where she sails or for how long, I'm not going to miss her this time!

Posts: 944 | From: Philadelphia, USA- former home of International Merchantile and Marine Co. | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

M3MAN2K1
First Class Passenger
Member # 2102

posted 05-23-2003 04:01 PM

when does she leave tampa?

Posts: 106 | From: FLORIDA! | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Ðraikar
First Class Passenger
Member # 1153

posted 05-23-2003 04:38 PM

quote:
Originally posted by M3MAN2K1:
when does she leave tampa?

I hope soon, she may need a refit too. I wander will they paint her hull blue ?

Posts: 1710 | From: USA, New York | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 05-23-2003 04:43 PM

YIPPPEEEEE HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!!!!! I'm turning flips here. Another wonderful lady saved!!!!!!

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 05-23-2003 05:16 PM

I am stunned to heard this. It would be nice to see how Imperial Majesty does in the future. Does Ramada Hotels operate Imperial Majesty?

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 05-23-2003 09:49 PM

Anyone got an idea for her new name? Mine would be IMPERIAL EMPRESS

. Also, anyone want to make a picture of her in Imperial colors?

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Maru
First Class Passenger
Member # 3500

posted 05-23-2003 11:05 PM

Ramada Plaza Rezorts established.
web page

Posts: 256 | From: Japan(Tokyo) | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 05-24-2003 10:50 AM

Thanks Maru.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

JOE
First Class Passenger
Member # 3708

posted 05-24-2003 11:05 AM

3 cheers for Imperial Majesty.
Hip Hip Horray, Hip Hip Horray, Hip Hip Horray.

Posts: 484 | From: Patterson, NJ | Registered: Mar 2003 | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 05-24-2003 11:26 AM

Now the big question - will she run alongside OCEANBREEZE or replace her?

It would seem as though REGAL EMPRESS is doing the two-night run as well so either:

1. They will have departures every day;
2. OCEANBREEZE will transfer to a new itinerary, or;
3. REGAL EMPRESS will be a replacement for OCEANBREEZE (with her inefficient steam turbines).

I really hope it's not the third option ...

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 05-24-2003 04:25 PM

I read in Orlando Sentinel today, that they are going to keep her name the same. No name change.

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

kph06
First Class Passenger
Member # 3506

posted 05-24-2003 07:52 PM

quote:
Originaly Posted by Keitaro:
Also, anyone want to make a picture of her in Imperial colors?

This is a quick edit of a postcard from simplon postcards.

kevin

Posts: 150 | From: Halifax, Canada | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Commodore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1575

posted 05-24-2003 08:19 PM

Cruiseny, you left out the 4th option, have the Regal Empress do a different route. I hope the real answer is no. 2, because I'd like to see the Ocean breeze but my father isn't fond of short cruises.

Posts: 1106 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 05-24-2003 10:19 PM

Not bad Kevin. I rather see her in a white hull than a blue/black one. Maybe more blue might help?

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

Dave the Wave
First Class Passenger
Member # 3813

posted 05-24-2003 11:54 PM

Was cleaning out my bag and packing for my trip on the Sovereign of the Seas in the morning and found several match books from my Dec '02 trip on the Regal Empress. Even though I'll have to drive across the state now, I will go on the Regal Empress again. I'm thankful she was saved from the scrappers. I read the story about the beach in India where they kill the old ships and couldn't imagine such a fate. It would be better to go down at sea. Until the next time...

Posts: 211 | From: St.Pete, Florida | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 05-25-2003 12:14 AM

Sure the Ocean Breeze has steam turbines, but Imperial Majesty spent a great deal on Refurbishing and Buying her in 1999. And to spend 16 million to buy and refurbish her for only 4 years of service, would seem a little unusual! I think they will maybe put The Ocean Breeze on a different route Or keep her on the same on opposite days! n As she is much bigger than The Regal Empress and has a Very Large Two Level Casino that the Regal Empress could never match!

The Ocean Breeze must be making money or she wouldn't have survived this long! I don't think that Ocean Breeze will be retired yet as Imperial Majesty has a very good clientele built up and I can see them expanding their product to another Itineratry!

The Ocean Breeze has been very well maintained and it would not be surprising to see her last until 2010!

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Waynaro
First Class Passenger
Member # 3484

posted 05-25-2003 12:22 AM

In the future, could we see Imperial Majesty Cruises as the next Premier-class cruising? I mean like low-budget cruises.

Posts: 6108 | From: Vallejo,CA : California Maritime Academy!!! | Registered: Nov 2002 | IP: Logged

cruiseny
First Class Passenger
Member # 2928

posted 05-25-2003 12:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Commodore:
Cruiseny, you left out the 4th option, have the Regal Empress do a different route.

It is not an option; her route has already been announced.

It would seem as though most likely either OCEANBREEZE will go, or they will sail on opposite days. IM seems committed to their very short cruises.

I don't like short cruises myself but if it works for them, that's more than we can say for Premier etc.

Wonder what they'll do after 2010 though? Both ships are already doomed...

Posts: 4730 | From: New York, USA | Registered: Mar 2002 | IP: Logged

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 05-25-2003 09:12 PM

I think Imperial Majesty did their Homework before they Chartered and then bought the Ocean Breeze! They knew Short Cruises we're something that was virtually a market that No one was servicing out of Fort Lauderdale and they saw that need and presto we have The Current Imperial Majesty! Not everyone can afford a 3,4,7 day or longer cruise BUT how many people can't afford a 2 day cruise? They have a large base to draw from in this market as they have more people affording shorter and less expensive cruises!!

Only Dolphin which ran 2 day cruises out of Port Canaveral and Now Ocean Club has done this!

But Imperial Majesty not only started with a Classic Ship doing 2 night cruises, but They placed her in Fort Lauderdale amongst all the Big Guys and have done well!

I think short cruises are a market that needs to be seriously looked at, doubt the larger lines will do it, so that leaves a good opportunity for smaller lines to take advantage of it!

I wouldn't be surprised if we see short 2 night cruises soon out of Tampa and even Miami,New Orleans and New York.

2 night cruises could work well out of San Diego or L.A. too and even Seattle and Vancouver!

A market that is untapped and has lots of potential!

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

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