RCI buys European Tour operator - Merged Threads

[dkjretired]

http://www.rclinvestor.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103045&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=900651&highlight=

[Seabee]

Some might say this is another opportunity for RCI to screw up a perfectly good cruise line.:D

[newmexicoNita]

thanks for the information. I don't know if this is good or bad, but interesting to say the least.

 

NMNita

[Captain Cosmo]

From Cruise Critic News:

 

"Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has acquired Pullmantur S.A., a Madrid-basd cruise operator, according to a Cruise Critic correspondent in Europe. A move to further expand its European and Latin American operations, Royal Caribbean announced that it expects the acquisition to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2006, subject to regulatory approvals."

 

The cost of this purchase plus the debt Royal Carribean assumed was $700 million Euros, or about $898 million in US dollars. Many posters have expressed that the reason that X may not be maintaining its ships, refurbishing the staterooms, or maintaining the quality of the food compared to a few years ago is the high cost of fuel and increased competition. Apparently, RC/X CAN afford to fix the M-Class pods, replace bedding, and generally avoid implementing new rules to increase revenue, like the crackdown on people bringing their own liquor on board. They're just choosing not to while they expand their line and eliminate another cruiseline and provider of shore excursions. I'm sure its a prudent long-range corporate strategy, but it clearly does little to support the needs of its passengers.

[L11]

My RCL stock went up $2.66 per share today, so I am happy! :D

 

Linda

[ArtM]

After day dreaming about it for quite awhile, I finally decided to buy 100 shares of RCL stock. That stockholder on board credit for cruises was just too tempting.

 

The price was had dropped from the upper $40's to around $34 so I finally pulled the trigger yesterday. What a nice treat to see the stock up well over $2 today. Took care of the credit on a 14 day cruise already.

 

Someone must think this is a good move for RCL.

 

Nice to be on the right side of something :)

 

Art

[arzz]

I am totally puzzled why RCCL would want Pulmantur -- we have seen their ships in many ports over the years and invariably they are older ships acquired from those disposed by other cruise lines, and they do not appear to be scrupulously maintained!

 

A couple of summers ago we were in the Caribbean berthed across the pier from Pulmanter's "Pacific", which was undeniably the old Pacific Princess of the old Love Boat days. She was clearly recognizable as the Pacific Princess even if you did not notice that the word "Princess" plainly visible under the white paint on her hull just past the word "Pacific", and the same was also visible on her life boats. The ship did not look in great shape (rust showing, old furniture stacked up on outside decks, a not too inviting look in the interior when we peeked in the windows of public spaces, etc).

 

What does anyone think that RCCL will be doing with this cruise line? My ears are open. Curious minds want to know!

[Captain Cosmo]

Maybe they plan on towing them behind the M-Class ships so they have a backup boat when the pods break down...

[BrooklynGirl2]

For those of you who used to sail and love Home Lines ... the Oceanic is one of Pullmantur's ships... and is named aptly the Oceanic ;)

[florisdekort]

Interesting development. I'm curious to see what it will mean for both the RC and X brands in the long run.

[ecslady]

A couple of summers ago we were in the Caribbean berthed across the pier from Pulmanter's "Pacific", which was undeniably the old Pacific Princess of the old Love Boat days. She was clearly recognizable as the Pacific Princess even if you did not notice that the word "Princess" plainly visible under the white paint on her hull just past the word "Pacific", and the same was also visible on her life boats. The ship did not look in great shape (rust showing, old furniture stacked up on outside decks, a not too inviting look in the interior when we peeked in the windows of public spaces, etc).

 

What does anyone think that RCCL will be doing with this cruise line? My ears are open. Curious minds want to know!

You are correct about the old Pacific Princess, aka Love Boat being one of the ships. I was on the Pacific Princess during its last Bermuda season in 2002 and actually met representatives from Pullmantour that were on the ship.

 

It will be interesting to find out what RCCL has in mind.

[hajekfam]

Pullmantur also offers sightseeing tours in Barcelona as well as other locations in Spain and Portugal. Our TA booked a morning tour of Montserrat for our first pre-transatlantic stay in 2001 with this company.

Since there are so many Royal Carribean and Celebrity ships doing Europe for the summer, it seems to be a good advantage to have their own tour company much like their land tour company for Alaska.

[ocngypz]

Pullmantur has been a budget travel operator in Europe for years catering to Spanish travelers.

 

The Oceanic.... was a former BIG RED BOAT!!!!! Most of the old tonnage was actually chartered, or picked up on the cheap after the former owners went bankrupt.

 

You won't find this operation being marketed towards North America.. just like RCL's joint venture Island Cruises (with partner First Choice UK) is not marketed here.

[pooh1bear43113]

Rembrandt from Premier Cruise Line - was Rembrandt the "Big Red Boat" at one time? Was Rembrandt once owned by HAL?

 

Always wondered what happened to Rembrandt - took our first cruise ever on her - in the Med. and, fortunately, our TA insisted we immediately take another cruise on a "newer" ship to get the bad experience out of our minds. We did. And we're hooked. But oh, the memories we have from that first cruise on Rembrandt - not to mention the bad smell!

[BobN]

We were fortunate enough to sail on the Sea Venture when she was new and before it was purchased by Princess and renamed the Pacific Princess, this was in the early 70's. At the time it was the most beautiful ship afloat having been built for the cruise experience and not as an transatlantic ocean-liner. The kitchen was all Italian and the food and service was the finest, in order to be a waiter you had to go to school for two years and then you could be an assistant waiter. Today with the number of ships working the cruise trade the staff has a minimum of training and do not have the pride that the old timers did, many of them went on to open fine upscale resturants in the U.S.A. and around the world.

 

My wife and I have been lucky enough to have sailed on many fine ships and enjoyed most of our cruises, but always look back to the super service that was available before the ships became floating cities and lost their small town flavor. (We were both born in New York)

 

We still feel that a cruise is the best vacation available for the money.

 

Happy Cruising,

BobN :)

[MaggieSweet]

What I thought was interesting about this acquisition: Pullmantur is widely known as a cruise line that does many stops in Cuba. One of the articles I read said that "RCI would immediately cease from these stops upon finalization of the sale" or something to that effect. It seems silly and unfortunate to me. If this line is going to continue to be marketed to Europe, which it sounds like it will be, and it won't be coming to the U.S. and likely not even marketed here, then why? I mean the U.S. is still the only nation in the world that doesn't allow its citizens to go there (not spend money there), isn't it?

 

It always confuses me that the cruise lines have their corporate headquarters in the U.S., but all of the ships are registered in other countries and have International crews. Is this a tax dodge or just a wages dodge or both? I'm working myself into a lather here, so I'd best stop while I'm relatively calm. :)

 

Tammy

[Post Captain]

Rembrandt from Premier Cruise Line - was Rembrandt the "Big Red Boat" at one time? Was Rembrandt once owned by HAL?

 

Always wondered what happened to Rembrandt - took our first cruise ever on her - in the Med. and, fortunately, our TA insisted we immediately take another cruise on a "newer" ship to get the bad experience out of our minds. We did. And we're hooked. But oh, the memories we have from that first cruise on Rembrandt - not to mention the bad smell!

"Rembrandt," as you call her, is affectionately remembered as HAL's Rotterdam--and she has become the Rotterdam once again. She sailed as Rembrandt for just a few years after an illustrious career as the flagship of the HAL fleet. Premier went bankrupt a few years ago, and the Rembrandt was laid up at Freeport, Bahamas, for several years. Happily, the ship was purchased by a group of investors who formed The Steamship Rotterdam Foundation and who intend to operate her as a hotel/conference center in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

 

Late last year she was towed to Cadiz, Spain, where she was repainted in her original HAL livery. She was then towed to Gdansk, Poland, where her complete internal refurbishment was to take place; however, asbestos issues have forced her to be taken to Wilhemshaven, Germany, where the asbestos will be removed; she will then return to Poland for further work before proceeding to Rotterdam.

 

She left Gdansk on 25 August and arrived in Wilhelmshaven just yesterday (Saturday, 2 September 2006).

 

You can follow her progress on at least two websites:

 

http://www.ssrotterdam.net (Official website of the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation)

 

http://www.vdleek.nl/Rotterdam/Rotterdam.html (A wonderfully comprehensive site run by Willem van der Leek, who updates the site almost daily.)

 

She was in a sad state during her days as the Rembrandt, but she was a wonderful ship in her prime as the Rotterdam. Thankfully she will be spared the sorry fate of the Norway/ex-France.

 

I look forward to going aboard her in Rotterdam one of these days.

[pooh1bear43113]

For the updates/links to our old Rembrandt. I thought I remembered someone on the cruise mentioning that she had once been Rotterdam with HAL. But we were new to cruising and it didn't mean much at the time. However, over the years, we've become more interested in the history of these older vessels.

 

We cruised the Med. on her in 1998, I think. Then believe I saw her in Sicily in 1999. I knew that Premier had gone under and always wondered what happened to Rembrandt.

 

Thanks again for the update/threads.

[Normandie-BCN]

Posted by Jacques Letard, Paris, of the Ocean Liners Society, in LinersList, on May 7th, 2005.

 

[Message #88099]

 

CRUISE ON S/S OCEANIC – 24 APRIL – 1 MAY 2006

 

7-day cruise in the Western Med, from/ to Barcelona.

 

Pullmantur and Oceanic are not new to me. Their cruises are marketed

in France, and I had the chance to see Oceanic in Barcelona, when

calling there on a cruise on Costa Europa in February 2004. Then, I

did not fail to notice how "classic" Oceanic was.

 

 

THE SHIP

 

Yes, Oceanic is a classic ocean liner. She boasts gracious lines.

She features a curved superstructure forward and aft (with receding

decks aft), a bow shaped like a swan's neck, a proper stern and

sheer.

 

I understand the ship has been through no alteration as far as the

exteriors are concerned. Oceanic is the same (apart indeed from the

pain job) as 40 years ago! Remarkable.

 

However, the interiors have been largely altered and very little

remains of her original fittings. Of her Home Lines time, the major

example of what remains would be the staircases on each corner of

the dining room (it was a pain to photograph those decoration

fixtures – just did 2 staircases!). They consist of ceramic and

metal bas-reliefs. More precisely, the former made in blue/ grey

hues represents or evoke famous buildings or landmarks, such as the

Pisa Leaning Tower, the Eiffel Towel, whereas the latter represent

famous characters, real or fictitious, such as Shakespeare or Don

Quixote. They are quite refrained in appearance, but very

attractive.

 

I guess the stair-tower and landing railings haven't changed over

the past 40 years – in my view, they have a 1960's touch (which

reminded me, to some extend, to the one of France/ Norway).

 

The major indoor alteration, as stated by another member of our

group, is the former forward "first class restaurant", which as been

converted in to a casual dining room for those wishing to eat

indoor, and not by the pool (it is close to the cafeteria). The room

has a unique location as it looks onto the bow.

 

Decoration and general arrangement, though conventional, is done in

warm/ pleasant tones.

 

I must point out that the ship, although 40 years old, looked in

pristine condition. Her hull is immaculate, and throughout she is

very well maintained indeed. Difficult to find any wrinkle!

 

 

 

PASSENGERS AND ATMOSPHERE ON BOARD

 

Passengers behaved OK. I didn't notice any rude or inappropriate

behaviour.

 

Quite a few people smoked; however, the dining room has a smoking

and smoke free section. So, ventilation must have been working very

well, for I never got bothered by smoke.

 

I was most surprised –and pleased too-, to notice that there were

quite a few young people in their early twenties (students perhaps).

And they certainly were enjoying themselves very much, in a loud,

but never obnoxious way. All in all the Spanish complement of

passengers, which I would say amounted to 80% of the whole

passengers list, included all ranges of age. They were a lively lot!

There were also a few French passengers. Old folks, who to me,

looked and sounded like old grumpy French pensioners…So typical!

This said, the overall atmosphere was very relaxed, friendly and

laid back. Obviously, passengers were on board to enjoy themselves.

 

Having sailed twice with Costa and twice with Festival, I was a bit

apprehensive with the complement and behaviours of passengers

onboard Oceanic. It was not disappointed. General attitude was

better than on those four cruises. I can tell you that then I had

seen some very bad behaviours – not on Oceanic.

 

The overall atmosphere, was unsurprisingly, rather noisy. There was

no quiet corner, and I can understand that some people found this a

bit frustrating and tiresome. Still, the ship was very busy (80% of

her full capacity I would say), but I never noticed bottle necks or

rooms that were packed. The layout of the ship is well thought out.

 

About entertainment, I can't say much about it. Too busy chatting

and sipping G&T's or 10-year old brandies. I understand it was low

key, and by no means a "brodway-like show" you would get on any

floating resort. Instead, it aimed at the Spanish audience. Seems is

was quite amusing, even "sur-real", looked through the English view

point. For instance, some in our group attended one show

called "Moulin Rouge", but it seems that there was little about

Moulin rouge, and even less about Cancan! Another time, there was

an "illusionist" on stage. Well, it appeared that there was hardly

any trick being played, unless the whole show was just an illusion …

I did miss something! I reckon I would have had a laugh.

 

Now about this "all inclusive" system ("todo incluido"), it worked

very well. It was such a plus! Enjoyed G&T's before dinner, and

after dinner as well as 10-year old brandies. We also had generous

servings of white and red wine for dinner (and lunch). I did not see

any people behaving rudely or being sick because of excess of

intoxicating liquors… G&T's tasted like proper ones, by the

way…..Not like on the US cruise ships, you have to be a teetotaller

to notice gin in your G&T!

 

As we sailed out of Barcelona, most of our group gathered on the

after section of the main deck, near the Tikki bar for a few "bon

voyage" drinks. I had a lovely time, chatting to our group members

and enjoying sunshine and pleasant weather.

 

We quite often all met up before and after dinner for a drink. And

we had a great time.

 

Really, evenings were too short having fun together and enjoying

drinking!

 

 

FOOD

 

It was very good indeed. And it certainly equalled (if not exceeded)

that offered on American run cruise liners, which pretend to have

excellent and well presented food. It may be well presented, but

most of the time, regrettably, it is quite bland. Instead, on

Oceanic, food was very tasty: fish tasted like fish, duck was

excellent (really the best I've ever had on a cruise ship), beef was

delicious and tender. Needless to say, I ate a lot, and I have now

to seriously consider buying trousers one size up!

 

Although this didn't really bother me, plates were not hot – but the

Brits did notice that rapidly. I assume that the Spanish, like the

French do not usually heat plates.

The tapas offered in the early evening on the lido/ cafeteria was

very good – although there were more like snacks than tapas.

 

I enjoyed a few nibbles at the midnight buffet (the only one that

took place, on gala night) at about 2 am (never attended a midnight

buffet so late!)

 

 

PORT OF CALLS, EXCURSIONS AND WEATHER

 

For all calls, I went ashore with some members of our group. Each

time, it was lot's of fun, and very interesting. In Villefranche, we

walked round the peninsula of St-Jean Cap Ferrat (we enjoyed great

views of Oceanic); in Livorno, we travelled to Pisa, where we

visited the Leaning Tower; in Civitavecchia, went to Rome (for the

Colosseo, the Forum and the Fountain of Trevi); in Naples, went to

some of the nearby islands by ferry; in Tunis, went to town (and

mainly to the Medina and the sook). Back to Barcelona, we watched

Oceanic departure form the foot of Castle Montjuic (the vantage

point over the town and the harbour is outstandingl). All those

excursions were quite hectic, but fun, and worth the effort.

 

We enjoyed good weather. Well, the last day, a day at sea, the sea

was slightly choppy. You could feel the gentle movement of the ship.

Otherwise, and because the turbines run very smoothly, it was hard

to believe that we were on a ship sailing on the sea! During our

excursions, weather was not too bad, although twice we had to cope

with heavy rain (and no waterproof clothes as far as I am concerned!)

 

We had the chance to see a few cruise ships: Costa Classica and

Monterey and Grand Mistral in Barcelona on departure day; we also

found Monterey in other ports, as well as the New Flamenco. I took

many shots of these cruise ships on the quayside, whenever I could.

 

 

STAFF

 

The ship's master was Captain Mirko Vranicic, who I understood is

half Croatian and half Italian. He speaks fluent Spanish (he made

the welcoming speech during the gala evening all in Spanish –with

just a few words in other languages-) and of course fluent English.

We had the chance to speak with him at times, or he would even speak

to us too, and I can say that he is a genial character.

 

The staff was very friendly and very professional. In the dining

room, our waiters did their best to make us feel happy. Their

command of English was excellent. I think that taken into account

the nature of our group, they assigned one of the best waiters!

Great!

 

My cabin steward was Jose, from Spain, I guess, who did a very good

job. It was rather difficult to communicate, because his knowledge

of English was limited, and so is mine of Spanish. When we first

met, I explained that instead of getting the daily programme in

French, I requested one in English and one in Spanish (because I

needed to learn Spanish)… It seemed quite an odd request to him, but

I got both programmes.

 

 

ACCOMMODATION

 

My cabin, A014, an inside one on A deck ("Atlantic Deck") – by the

way they have not changed the deck names since the beginning-, was a

2-lower berth one. I had it for myself, and enjoyed its private use

very much. Although it was quite basic (there was no desk, and no

table) it was very good, and large enough (I did not find it small

at all). It looked very welcoming, with a olive-green (or so)

carpet, and very good electric light (some neon lighting that

imitated natural light very well). It was no bother to have an

inside cabin, really (specially as I did not spend too much time in

it!) There was enough storage. The bathroom (shower room) was fine,

with a proper shower made out of tiles (not a plastic block) and a

proper sink (not a vasque). The water temperature of the shower was

sometimes temperamental, though. The bed was very good (mattress

very hard).

 

The cabin, luckily, was not too noisy – I didn't get bothered by

noisy people nearby, chatting or messing around. However, it was

located forward, below the galley and I would get awaken early by

noise that I would think was that of the rattling of heavy trolleys.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

My view will be very similar to those in our group who have already

expressed their mind. The cruise was great, the ship is a classic,

the food and service were excellent, and the passengers were a

lively lot. The atmosphere was very laid back. There was a genuine

feel of holiday, and of having a good time and fun.

 

Surely it was not like an American cruise ship experience, but a

very Latin and European one, in its best possible way.

 

Needless to say, I can highly recommend this cruise on this

wonderful ship, in such a friendly atmosphere.

 

We were a group of about 30 people. I enjoyed very much spending

time with those I had met before, or knew by name only and also

meeting new people.

 

Yes, it was great, and we all certainly had a ball !

 

 

End of review.

[barante]

I'll give the Pullmantur acquisition the benefit of doubt. Pullmantur may become a platform for recycling older RCCL/X ships, just as the Zenith's sister ship (Mercury?) was handed down to a British subsidiary. As strings on other sections (see EasyCruise in the Holland America section) have underscored recently, the cruise industry consists of different layers of niches. There is room for all kinds of operators under one corporate roof. One example is Carnival, even though it really hasn't attacked the deep discount, no-frills market -- yet.