SANTA CLARITA — The Pacific Princess, which sailed more than 1.6 million nautical miles and 11 World Cruises for Princess Cruises, has been sold.
According to the cruise line, the sale of the ship to an undisclosed buyer is in line with parent company Carnival Corporation’s plan to accelerate the removal of less efficient ships from its fleet.
Pacific Princess first joined the cruise line’s fleet in 2002 but originally entered service in 1999 as R3 for Renaissance Cruises. The boutique-style ship, which carried just 670 passengers, enjoyed many historic moments, including a throwback cruise during which it recreated Princess Cruises’ very first itinerary to the Mexican Riviera in celebration of the line’s 50th anniversary on Dec. 3, 2015.
Before that, in May 2003, ‘The Love Boat’s ‘Captain Stubing’ and Princess Cruises Ambassador Gavin MacLeod was on the navigation bridge as the ship sailed under the Golden Gate Bridge for the first time to kick off the inaugural season sailing to Alaska from San Francisco.
“Pacific Princess holds so many memories and cherished experiences to all who sailed upon her,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises’ president. “Pacific Princess offered a traditional style of cruising to unique destinations. While it’s difficult to say goodbye to our ‘Love Boat,’ our World Cruise and exotic itineraries continue onboard our Medallion Class-enabled Island Princess and Coral Princess, featuring the best Wi-Fi at sea, allowing guests to keep in touch with loved ones and share vacation memories along the way.”
Guests with bookings will be notified and, along with their travel advisors, will receive information on how to book another Princess Cruise when operations resume. Guests who prefer a refund will be accommodated.
Last September, Princess also announced the sale of the Sun Princess and Sea Princess. Both were sold to undisclosed buyers.
