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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer, Author & Lecturer

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Part One

 

Introduction

I received an email from Mr. Eckhard Herrnsdorf who advised me that he and his wife took an enjoyable cruise on the MS Pacific, previously the Pacific Princess and built as the Sea Venture. They departed from Valencia (Spain) on June 2, 2008 for a seven-day cruise around the Mediterranean. At that time the MS Pacific was scheduled to operate the identical one-week cruise commencing from Easter 2008 through to the end of September that year, although she should have commenced services for Quail Cruises in March, but routine maintenance at the shipyard took longer than was expected!

This page covers the excellent photographs that were taken during cruise during by Eckhard and they were taken from June 2 to 9 June 9 2008. I hereby wish to thank Mr. Eckhard Herrnsdorf for his excellent contribution, for this is an amazing ship, known to so many as “The Love Boat” and she was that and remained a beautiful ship until the day she was broken up in 2013.

Introduction

I received an email from Mr. Eckhard Herrnsdorf who advised me that he and his wife took an enjoyable cruise on the MS Pacific, previously the Pacific Princess and built as the Sea Venture. They departed from Valencia (Spain) on June 2, 2008 for a seven-day cruise around the Mediterranean. At that time the MS Pacific was scheduled to operate the identical one-week cruise commencing from Easter 2008 through to the end of September that year, although she should have commenced services for Quail Cruises in March, but routine maintenance at the shipyard took longer than was expected!

This page covers the excellent photographs that were taken during cruise during by Eckhard and they were taken from June 2 to 9 June 9 2008. I hereby wish to thank Mr. Eckhard Herrnsdorf for his excellent contribution, for this is an amazing ship, known to so many as “The Love Boat” and she was that and remained a beautiful ship until the day she was broken up in 2013.

The cruise schedule was a follows: Day 1. Valencia (Spain) - Day 2. Day at sea - Day 3. Civitavecchia (Italy Rome) - Day 4. Livorno (Italy; for Pisa and Florence) - Day 5. Villefranche-sur-Mer (France: Monaco) - Day 6. Ajaccio, Corsica (France) - Day 7. Mahon, Menorca (Spain) & home in Valencia 6 A.M.  At the helm of the MS Pacific for this cruise was Captain Augusto Neto.

 

Cruise Review by Mr. Herrnsdorf

The Pacific is without doubt one of the most famous ships ever. It was built in 1971 and 1975 as a Sea venture sold to Princess Cruises and renamed in the Pacific Princess. From 1976 to 1986 she played "The leading role" in the television series "Love Boat".  They remained in the Princess fleet until 2002 and was then sold to Pullmantur, remained in the fleet until 2007. When she also got their new name Pullmantur Pacific. Since 2008 it is one CVC and is currently operating under the Charter for the Spanish Quail cruises.

She was completely refurbished in 2007 and is still in an excellent condition. Yes, for today's conditions she may be considered small and an old cruise ship, but she is a well-maintained vessel and runs surprisingly quiet. In fact where our cabin was on our cabin was on Fiesta Deck we could barely hear the engines for the ship was so quiet. She could carry a total of 626 passengers and there was a crew of 358, thus the crew to passenger ratio was is better than 1 to 2 passengers and thus I found that the service was excellent.

The Pacific is certainly not the right choice for close-minded people who prefer the super luxury ships as the Pacific is more like a traditional cruise ship and she is perfect for those who are looking for a relaxing cruise. So, the ship at first glance may not as impressive as the modern Mega cruise ships with their towering atriums and glass lifts inside, with thousands of passengers to with it, but a smaller ship has countless advantages, for we do not have to rush, or ever queue up, not for the embarkation, the buffets, not even when tenders are required. Around the decks and at both the swimming pools there are always plenty of sun loungers and chairs. For evening meal you were assigned to a table for two four of six, and you could choose in advance, and you would dine at your appointed table nightly and enjoy the company of the same waiters who knew just what you liked or disliked. It certainly did not take long, for we quickly got to know the other passengers.

With the Pacific being a Spanish ship, out of the 515 passengers on our cruise there were 499 passengers that were Spanish, 12 British, 2 Dutch and the two of us who were German. Accordingly announcements were in Spanish and English. But the crew did everything possible to make sure that the 16 of Non-Spaniards onboard were very comfortable and enjoyed their voyage! Even the Ships paper was printed for the total of 16 non-Spanish folk in English, and even at the shows, many of the (really good) artists presented it bilingual; the only comedian could unfortunately only in Spanish. Eckhard Herrnsdorf (Translation from the German and edited by the author).

Photo Album

 

The MS Pacific is seen departing Valencia in June 2008

 

On the evening of departure we received tomorrows (June 3) News Letter

and we would have a day relaxing at sea and the Captains Cocktail Party at night

 

 Interiors and her Deck Spaces

Please Note: All photographs are listed according to their decks, commencing with the lowest Deck, and each Deck I will commence forward and work to the aft of the ship. 99.9% of photographs were taken by and are © Eckhard Herrnsdorf, were others will be from my private collection or as stated.

Coral Deck

 

Promotional Photograph of the Coral Restaurant

From a Quail Cruises brochure

Cruise Review Continued: The food was phenomenal! The Spanish chef and his 48 Assist chefs all did really well. For the evening meal we always receive a menu that had a five to six-course a-la-carte menus in the Coral Room. For breakfast and lunch you could to dine in the Coral Room and enjoy a Lido buffet style breakfast. There was also the second breakfast, for coffee and cakes, then later afternoon snacks, etc. But not to forget, there was always the Lido buffet for lunch out in the fresh air. Of course there was also the 24-hour Room Service, which was the optional extra onboard as everything else was free. Quail Cruises offered their cruises as "All inclusive" - Meaning all drinks from the bar including cocktails, wine and champagne all free. Even the coffee that was served was Lavazza, and some of the well-known spirits were such as Bacardi, Johnny Walker, thus everything was really good things! Eckhard Herrnsdorf (Translation from the German and edited by the author).

An actual photo of the Coral Restaurant full of passengers

 

Fiesta Deck 

 

Forward Entrance Hall on Riviera Deck - looking to port

 

 

Above & below: Two views of the Lobby and the Reception Desk on Fiesta Deck

 

 

Riviera Deck

 

This is the forward lobby on Riviera Deck and directly opposite (forward) the painting and statue is the Carousel Lounge and Showroom

Whilst on the left is the entrance to the casino and on the right the entry to the Card & Bridge Room

 

Card & Bridge Room located on the starboard side on Riviera Deck

 

The ever present casino amidships next to the Card Room, but very isolated from it!

 

The beautifully cosy Pirate Bar that becomes a Karaoke venue at night is located just aft of the Casino

 

The Boutique and shop is again aft on the port side

 

 

Above & below: On the Starboard side of the shops id the delightful Pacific Bar, the Photo above looks forward

Whilst the photograph below looks aft into the grand two level Pacific Lounge and the massive aft windows can just be seen

 

 

 

The magnificent Pacific Lounge far aft of Riviera Deck featuring windows two decks high and a balcony above

 

Here we see a midnight buffet held in the Pacific Lounge in front of the massive windows

And the curtains closed; also we can see part of the balcony above

 

Another buffet scene in the Pacific Lounge

 

 

Above & below:

Here we see the Pacific pool aft of the ship and looking forward we see the huge windows of the Pacific Lounge

 

 

The aft Decks as the ship was departing Mahon, Menorca

 

Promenade (Boat) Deck

 

 

Above & below:

Promenade (Boat) Deck looking forward and aft as seen below

 

 

Overlooking the ships aft decks from Promenade Deck

 

MS Pacific – Index:

Part One            Eckhard Herrnsdorf provides his cruise review and wonderful photo album of his voyage

Part Two           This is Part Two of the Photo Album

Deck Plan

Pacific Princess … Comprehensive feature, covering her from birth to her end!

 

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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me (my email address may be found on www.ssmaritime.com only), in order that due credit may be given.

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