Clipper Pacific

MS "Clipper Pacific" (formerly "Song of Norway", "Sundream", "Dream Princess", "Dream", "Clipper Pearl") was one of the first modern cruise ships, entering operation in 1970.

tatistics

The vessel originally had a gross tonnage of 18,000 tons, and could carry 724 passengers. Following the 1978 refit, she was lengthened by 85 feet, to provide for 1024 passengers and increasing her size to 23,000 gross tons.

History

The vessel was constructed in Helsinki, Finland in 1970. Named "Song of Norway", she was the first ship built for cruise line Royal Caribbean International. The vessel was lengthened in 1978, due to the high demand for cruising, and sailed on seven- and fourteen-day cruises out of Miami.

In 1996, surpassed by the significantly larger ships in the Royal Caribbean International fleet, the ship was sold to
Sun Cruises part of the Airtours/MyTravel (which has now merged with Thomas Cook AG), who operated the vesel under the name "Sundream".

In October 2004 she was sold, refitted and became MS "Dream Princess" for Caspi Cruises (Israel) and operated the 2005 season from Haifa.

2005 refitting

In early 2005 "Sundream" was being refitted in Piraeus under the name "Dream Princess". The ship was sailing on four-night cruises from Haifa to Alanya, Rhodes and Larnaca. Some itineraries also included Marmaris and Santorini. In January 2006 the vessel was used to house students from Tulane University after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. [ [http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/RCI_SongOfNorwayPCs.html#anchor336507 Song of Norway Cruise Ship Postcards ] ]

eptember 2007 listing

On September 18 2007, while anchored in the port of Rhodes the cruise ship developed a 10 degrees list. She was immediately evacuated and four officers who where on duty at the time of the incident were detained. The crew was accused of deliberately grounding the vessel to prevent further listing and an ultimate sinking. Divers investigating the incident discovered that hatchways in the hull designed for discharging untreated waste into the ocean, had been crudely plugged with chunks of wood, to prevent the discharge. That kept the waste onboard. Failure to pump the waste in a timely manner, resulted in the listing of the vessel. [ [http://www.cruisebruise.com/Dream_Princess_listing_September_18_2007.html Dream Princess Listing Near Dodecanese Island Of Rhodes Greece - September 18, 2007 ] ]

The list was eventually corrected but on 18 November 2007, due to strong winds, "Dream Princess" came loose of her moorings and collided with an adjacent cargo ship causing minor damages in both vessels. The coast guard managed to tow the cruise ship back to the dock using tug-boats. [ [http://www.ana.gr/anaweb/user/showplain?maindoc=5892896&maindoc
] ]

"Dream Princess" remained in the port of Rhodes for nearly two months until her seaworthiness was established. On November 28, 2007 she was towed to the port of Kusadasi.

ale to ISP

In November 2007 the ship was sold to the Miami, Florida based company International Shipping Partners, Inc. (ISP) and was renamed to "Clipper Pearl". [http://www.isp-usa.com/news/A071127.pdf] After refitting in Turkey and Malta, the ship was chartered to the Peace Boat organization and renamed the "Clipper Pacific". The ship is currently in service touring the world as part of Peace Boat's mission. [http://www.isp-usa.com/news/A080204.pdf]

July 2008 detainment

On July 16, 2008, the "Clipper Pacific" was detained in New York by the United States Coast Guard for numerous safety violations including a leaking hull. She will remain in New York and not be allowed to leave until repairs are made. [http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local&id=6268267]

References

Gallery

Links

* [http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/RCI_SongOfNorwayPCs.html Pictures]
* [http://www.e-cruiseworld.com/dreamprincess.htm e-CruiseWorld: MS Dream Princess homepage]
* [http://www.RCIfan.com RCIfan.com, an RCI Fan site.]