Imperial Majesty Loans Their Only Ship To Hurricane Relief

[Dave]

Imperial Majesty Cruises, which operates the venerable Regal Empress on 2-night cruises to Nassau, has announced that they have suspended operations until further notice. They have moved the Regal Empress to the south Texas area to support hurricane relief efforts. Read the official announcement here

[LisaP]

That's nice. I wonder how she'll be used. From what my friends in the area tell me, every bit of assistance is needed.

[Dave]

Peter Knego says the cruises are suspended until January 2009.

[penny3333]

Glad to see that. From all the film footage we've been shown, it looks like any help is desperately needed.

[billybuzzy]

My hat off to Imperial Majesty Cruiselines! Humanitarian aid to others in time of need is the noblest of all gestures. Let us all wish them great success in all their future endeavors and eagerly await the return of the Regal Empress to the cruisefleet when she is able!

BillyBuzzy

[kskelley40]

That's great to hear! Makes me feel even better having booked a small getaway with them in 2009. Usually we go with the bigger cruise lines, but this was a great deal and fits in with our other vacation plans!

[Svein]

This is how the "new" ship looks like. Does anyone have an update about this?


Photo from Shipspotting.com Photo: Tomas Pinaas

[billybuzzy]

Svein
Thank You for the photograph-She looks like she'll be a beauty when she has completed refit! A nice looking replacement for her older sister.

BillyBuzzy

[oceanliner5]

when is the Regal Empress last cruise? Does any one know?

[Dave]

I haven't heard of a definite "last cruise" date for the Regal Empress. However the Bahamas Celebration is supposed to be ready to start cruising this coming February, and I don't think Imperial plans to operate two ships. The new SOLAS rules take effect October 1, 2010, so the Regal Empress has to be taken out of service by then.

I was surprised to learn they are doing 3 night cruises now, in addition to the 2 nighters.