A week after announcing a $201 deal to buy the Azamara cruise brand from Royal Caribbean Group, the Sycamore Partners private equity firm has added a fourth ship to its fleet, the Pacific Princess.
On January 21, Carnival Cruise Corporation announced that its Princess Cruises brand was selling the Pacific Princess to an unidentified buyer.
Pacific Princess joins Azamara Quest, the Azamara Journey and the Azamara Pursuit in the Azamara fleet.
“This addition, pending the close of the transaction announced earlier this month that Sycamore Partners has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Azamara, marks our new future of growth as well as new opportunities to reach more destinations and communities than ever before,” said Carol Cabezas, Chief Operating Officer of Azamara, in a statement
‘Pacific Princess will be able to visit smaller ports’
“Sycamore Partners has purchased the Pacific Princess, a former R-class ship comparable in size to our three sister ships. Just like Azamara Journey, Azamara Quest, and Azamara Pursuit, our newest addition will be able to sail into intimate rivers, visit smaller, as well as less-crowded ports other vessels can’t access,” she said.
“It will provide an excellent space for special connections to form while never feeling overcrowded. Prior to our return to service, we will complete a bow-to-stern refurbishment that will echo the soft, natural tones and elegant touches of her sister ships with a few new onboard elements. And, of course, you can expect those same intimate experiences and personalized touches Azamara is known and loved for.”
The ship will sail its inaugural season in Europe in 2022.
Pacific Princess spent almost 20 years with Princess fleet
Pacific Princess first joined the Princess fleet in 2002, and originally entered service in 1999 as R3 for Renaissance Cruises. The boutique-style ship offered an intimate cruising environment, with a total of just 670 passengers, but incorporated many of the dining and entertainment options available on the cruise line’s larger cruise vessels.
Pacific Princess sailed more than 1.6 Million nautical miles, including 11 World Cruises.
