IMC's ss Ocean Breeze

ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

Part Four

ss OceanBreeze

Southern Cross, Calypso, Azure Seas

Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines elegant ss OceanBreeze

IMC

In 1991, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines acquired Admiral Cruises who had no need for the Azure Seas being old tonnage. She was sold to Dolphin Cruise Line who was looking to add a third ship to their popular fleet consisting of Dolphin IV, and SeaBreeze I. The Azure Seas was now renamed ss OceanBreeze, and was given extensive renovations. Now registered in Aruba, ss OceanBreeze commenced seven night cruises around the Southern Caribbean and the Panama Canal. In 1996, she was relocated for cruising out of Florida, and New York.

Dolphin Cruises postcard of the OceanBreeze

Author’s private collection

Late in 1997, Dolphin, Seawind and Premier Cruises amalgamated. ss OceanBreeze continued her cruising duties under her new banner, but received bright new livery, featuring a dark blue hull, topped with a gold ribbon, and a dark blue funnel. She looked very impressive indeed, better than at any time during her past 54 years in service. OceanBreeze resumed her Panama Canal and Caribbean cruise service until early 1999, when the Ramada-owned Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines was created.

Links to our Photo Albums are located at bottom of this page

Author’s private collection

IMC chartered the OceanBreeze from Premier Cruises and retained her livery, but replaced the Premier funnel logo with a white crown. Under Premier, her aft flanks had the name “Premier Cruises” painted on it. This was replaced with “Imperial Majesty.” The IMC product was to operate year-round two night cruises from Ft. Lauderdale to Nassau in the Bahamas. ss OceanBreeze departed on her inaugural cruise from Pt. Everglades on January 11, 1999.

ss OcreanBreeze

From an IMC postcard

Due to the immense success of her short and affordable cruises, combined with excellent service, entertainment, and cuisine, Imperial Majesty decided to purchase the OceanBreeze outright on May 20, 2000. In September, ss OceanBreeze received a complete refurbishment, which in the words of the IMC President, Mr. Arthur Pollack, would see her “restored to her original splendour, making her a truly classic ship, with a modern and tropical ambiance.” It is said that the ss OceanBreeze returned to her Ft. Lauderdale-Bahamas service with the well wishes of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, and she had sent her regrets for not being able to re-christen the ship. ss OceanBreeze continued her successful two night cruise duties to the Bahamas, until June 2003.

ss OceanBreeze is one of the last surviving ocean liners built by the
legendary Harland & Wolff Shipyard and worth our rescue campaign!

Photograph is © copyright the Dutch Cruise Site

After four years of faithful service, IMC made a sudden announcement on June 3, 2003. OceanBreeze was going to be replaced by another classic cruise ship, the Regal Empress (ex Caribe I, Olympia). Mr. Arthur M. Pollack, President Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, LLC told the author on 10 October 2003, that OceanBreeze was sold for the following three reasons.

1… IMC needed to spend US$ 5 million to make her ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliant.

2… For short cruises, “The cost of operating a Steam Turbine vessel was prohibitive.”

3… IMC required a ship with “bow thrusters.” Thus, IMC decided on the option to purchase another classic ship that was on the market for what we might call at a bargain basement price at that time being the Regal Empress. She fitted all of the aforementioned requirements, saving IMC, according to Mr. Pollack, an operating cost of US$ 1.5 million a year.

It needs to be understood that OceanBreeze was not sold because of deterioration or mechanical failures, for she was in excellent condition, and described as “ready for trade.” OceanBreeze was also in possession of a SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) certificate, which is valid to 2010. OceanBreeze departed on her last cruise in June 2003, returning to Ft. Lauderdale three days later. The Regal Empress departed for her final two-night cruise to Nassau on 24 June.

--ss OceanBreeze Ft. Lauderdale - June 2003--

We sincerely thank Mr. Andreas Vurdubakis
of Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines for the following two photographs

OceanBreeze still looking the grand lady she was

This fine photograph as it clearly shows her aft deck extensions

Photo 1 – Photo 2

Return to the Southern Cross / OceanBreeze Index

Enter - Photo Page 1

The author wishes to thank, Mr. Arthur M. Pollack of President Imperial Majesty Cruise Line, LLC, and Celebration World Cruises, Inc, Mr Andreas Vurdubakis of Imperial Majesty Cruise Lines, Mr. Martin Hill - London, and Michael Barnes - Australia, for their valuable contribution to this article.

The Southern Cross, as we will always remember her

**************************************************

I trust you have enjoyed reading about this loved passenger liner. If you have sailed on her I would like to hear from you, and if you have any photographs I would greatly appreciate some, especially those of the interiors and out on deck. Email Me!

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