Queen of the Oceans
Queen of the Oceans as Oceana in Venice, 2016
History
Name
  • Ocean Princess (2000–2002)
  • Oceana (2002–2020)
  • Queen of the Oceans (2020–present)
Owner
Operator
Port of registry
BuilderFincantieri, Monfalcone, Italy
Yard number6044
Launched29 April 1999
Christened20 February 2000
Completed28 January 2000
Maiden voyageFebruary 2000
Out of serviceJuly 2020
Identification
StatusLaid up at Patras since 2020.
Notes[1]
General characteristics
Class and typeSun-class cruise ship
Tonnage
Length261.30 m (857 ft 3 in)
Beam32.25 m (105 ft 10 in)
Draft8.10 m (26 ft 7 in)
Decks11 (passenger accessible)
Installed power
Speed21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph)
Capacity
  • 2,016 (regular)
  • 2,272 (maximum)
Crew889
Notes[1][2]

The MV Queen of the Oceans is a Sun-class cruise ship owned by Seajets, a Greek/Cypriot ferry company. She was built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy, and measures 77,499 GT. She entered service in February 2000 as Ocean Princess for Princess Cruises before being transferred to P&O Cruises in 2002, operating as Oceana until 2020. Queen of the Oceans is a sister ship to other Sun-class ships, Dream, Pacific World, and Pacific Explorer.

History

2000–2002: Ocean Princess

Ocean Princess in 2001.

Oceana was originally ordered by P&O to serve in the Princess Cruises fleet. She was named by Ali MacGraw and Ryan O'Neal and entered service as Ocean Princess on 16 February 2000. During the winter season, Ocean Princess was positioned in the southern Caribbean, while in summer she operated in Alaskan waters. Shortly after her launch, P&O demerged its cruise ship operations and Ocean Princess came under the ownership of P&O Princess Cruises, whilst continuing to serve in the Princess Cruises fleet.

2002–2020: Oceana

In November 2002, Ocean Princess entered service with P&O Cruises, operating from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Her official naming ceremony took place in Southampton, England on 21 May 2003. She was christened by Anne, Princess Royal.[1]

In 2003, P&O Princess Cruises merged with Carnival Corporation to become Carnival Corporation & plc. As a result, Oceana came under the ownership of Carnival UK, but continued to operate with the P&O Cruises fleet.

Oceana was last renovated between 29 November and 17 December 2017 after she underwent a £31 million refit at the Blohm+Voss shipyard in Hamburg. Technical work and public area refurbishment were undertaken.[3]

On 7 July 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, P&O announced that it had sold Oceana to an undisclosed buyer.[4][5]

2020–present: Queen of the Oceans

On 8 July 2020, Greek newspaper Naftemporiki reported that the Iliopoulos family, who leads Seajets, was considering purchasing Oceana to begin cruise operations.[6] The reports were later confirmed after Oceana was delivered to Seajets on 21 July 2020 in Patras.[7] The former Oceana was later spotted with the Union flag on her bow painted over and bearing a new name, Queen of the Oceans, while docked in Patras.[8]

Design

As Oceana, the vessel had 10 passenger decks.[9] Passenger facilities included 12 bars and four restaurants, including an open-air restaurant. Other facilities included a gym, sports court, casino, golf simulator, a spa, four swimming pools, and the main entertainment venue, a 530-seat theatre.[10]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Asklander, Asklander. "M/S Ocean Princess (2000)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  2. ↑ "About Oceana". P&O Cruises. Archived from the original on 30 April 2008. Retrieved 17 December 2007.
  3. ↑ "P&O Cruises Reveals Details of Multi-Million Pound Refurb of Arcadia and Oceana Cruise Ships". Cruise Critic. 31 October 2017. Archived from the original on 21 July 2018. Retrieved 17 December 2017.
  4. ↑ "P&O Cruises Announces It Is Selling Beloved Cruise Ship Oceana". World Cruising. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  5. ↑ Bond, Mary (7 July 2020). "P&O Cruises sells Oceana to 'fit for future growth'". Seatrade Cruise News. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  6. ↑ Τσιμπλάκη, Αντώνη (8 July 2020). "Η οικογένεια Ηλιόπουλου ανοίγει πανιά στην αγορά κρουαζιέρας". Naftemporiki (in Greek). Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  7. ↑ Glass, David (22 July 2020). "Greek ropax operator Seajets is new owner of Oceana". Seatrade Cruise News. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  8. ↑ Bailey, Jordan (22 July 2020). "P&O's Former Oceana Acquired By Greek Ferry Operator". Cruise Capital. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  9. ↑ "Fast Facts | Oceana Cruise Ship | Fodor's Cruise Reviews". Fodors.com. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
  10. ↑ "P&O Cruises | Oceana Cruise Ship | Oceana Cruises". Pocruises.com. 30 November 2011. Retrieved 19 January 2013.
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