Page Four

SEAWIND CROWN: Seawind Cruise Line to Premier Cruises, Inc. Conclusion of "in service" tour: Pacific to Coral Deck. Beginning of "today" tour: Sports Deck

Facing port in the Foyer on Pacific Deck level. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1992.

Pacific Deck begins at the fo'c'sle, which slopes downward to the lower portion of the forward superstructure where sheltered promenades amble aft all the way to the stern. Internally, the twelve original first class cabins remain in place (now category E and with new appointments) and the middle level of the Foyer is largely unaltered, although it is carpeted and the barber and beauty salons have become shops. On either side, three former first class category F (outside) cabins lead to eleven slightly larger category E (outside) staterooms.

Facing forward in the Galleria. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1992.

At this point, the INFANTE's original layout becomes less familiar with the substitution of the once smart tourist B vestibule and lounge with the Galleria shopping center amidships. On the its port side, a conference room was added, while on the starboard side, there was now a beauty salon, barber shop, and children's room.

The Taverna is shown here facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1992.

On the port side just aft of the stairtower and vestibule, the aft/port gallery that adjoined the former tourist B lounge was reconfigured as the Taverna, serving as the SEAWIND CROWN's buffet style dining venue.

The Nightclub, facing aft. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1992.

The former tourist B bar on the starboard side became the Nightclub. The bar was remodeled and a mirror ball ceiling and small circular dance floor were added.

Facing forward from the lido on Pacific Deck. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1992.

Replacing the pool removed from Caribbean Deck, a new, larger one was added on aft Pacific Deck in the vicinity of the former fourth hold. The remodeling was skillfully executed and the SEAWIND CROWN to this day has some of the most inviting pool and lido areas afloat.

Facing aft from the center of the Madeira Dining Room. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1992.

On Atlantic Deck, twelve category G (outside), two category F (outside), and four category J (larger inside) cabins were carved out of crew accommodation. The purser's office remained in its forward position within the embarkation lobby, which led aft to the Madeira (former first class) Restaurant. Its structure was left unaltered with two deck high central ceiling, but the original mosaic panels were removed and put on display in the Lisbon Maritime Museum. Although the room was redecorated and considered by many to be the more elegant of the ship's two restaurants, it was seldom used by the passengers except for an occasional buffet.

The Vasco Da Gama Restaurant, facing forward. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 1992.

Aft of the galley, the former tourist A and tourist B dining rooms were converted into the Vasco Da Gama Restaurant. A smaller dining room adjoined on the aft/starboard side which could be used for private functions. Atlantic Deck continued with the Infirmary (considerably reduced) and seven category G (outside), four category J (larger inside), and three category M (inside upper/lower) cabins that were reclaimed from the once vast Infirmary.

On Ocean Deck, the accommodation was completely rebuilt from former tourist A and B accommodation and facilities. It now contained nine category G (outside, two of which were handicap accessible), fifty-seven category H (outside), two category I (outside), thirty-six category K (standard inside), and eighteen category M (inside upper/lower) cabins.

On Baltic Deck, the accommodation now consisted of thirty-seven category I (outside) and thirty-two category L (inside) cabins.

A 208 seat Cinema was built one level down on Neptune Deck, and even further down, on Coral Deck, the ship was given a new health center with sauna, whirlpool spa, gym and squash court.

The SEAWIND CROWN in a striking post card view, sporting Premier Cruises' livery. Peter Knego collection.

Seawind Cruise Line and the SEAWIND CROWN did well in the Aruba market on her set seven night itinerary with calls at Curacao, Caracas, Grenada, Barbados, St. Lucia, and a day at sea. Her clientele hailed from the U.S., Europe, and South America and the ship's old world ambiance and southern circuit became a popular alternative to the mega-ships and the overtrod eastern and western Caribbean offerings. In 1995, she was bought outright by Seawind Cruise Line, officially dropping the VASCO DA GAMA name from her bows. At the same time, a second itinerary was added, alternating with the original and offering the following ports: Antigua, Barbados, Guadeloupe, and Dominica with two days at sea. Both could be combined for a fortnight of Caribbean cruising on the classic SEAWIND CROWN.

In early 1997, Seawind and Dolphin Cruise Lines merged, forming Cruise Holdings, Ltd, initially keeping their fleet identities separate. Soon, Cruise Holdings acquired the one ship Premier Cruise Lines operation, merging the three companies under the new banner of Premier Cruises, Inc. SEAWIND CROWN was sent for a major refit at the end of the year to conform with new SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) regulations and was given further modifications that saw the replacement of her forward dining room and conference room with shops and cabins, more cabins carved from crew areas on forward Atlantic Deck and an expansion of the Tavern area into a Lido Restaurant that claimed the Nightclub. Her passenger capacity increased from 624 to 728 and she donned Premier Cruises' livery with deep blue funnel bearing a white stylized ocean liner logo and medium blue hull topped with a gold band.

Premier's concept of operating classic ships was every ocean liner lover's fantasy, however, their constant directional shift and itinerary scrubbing played havoc with their travel industry support. Furthermore, the collapse of similarly classic Regency Cruises in 1995 was not a confidence booster, and the newly formed company almost immediately began to operate in the red. Management changes, mechanical breakdowns, and an overcrowded market would ultimately spell the end of Premier. In late 1998, the ship was given a new funnel livery consisting of a black banded top, white base, and stylized red "P".

SEAWIND CROWN is shown in this image by Bruce Peter in her latter day Premier Cruises livery while under charter to Spanish-based Pullmantur Cruises at Barcelona in 2000. Photo and copyright Bruce Peter 2000.

In what must be seen as an unwise move, SEAWIND CROWN was transferred from her successful Aruba base to Puerto Vallarta in late 1999, offering weekly cruises along the Mexican Riviera. The results were catastrophic and the ship was withdrawn after only a handful of sailings. A last minute charter to Spanish-based Pullmantur Cruises came through rather suddenly, and she next sailed to Barcelona for a program of weekly Mediterranean cruises.

The ship and itinerary worked quite splendidly, and Pullmantur was keen on keeping her in operation when the bottom fell out for Premier in September of 2000 and all of its assets, including its ships, were seized for payment of debt. SEAWIND CROWN was stranded at Barcelona on 17 September with 260 crew members on board.

Unable to acquire their back pay from the ship's liquidators (Price Waterhouse Coopers), technical operation company (International Shipping Partners), or Pullmantur, the crew lived on board the ship for nearly six months, depending on the kindness of charitable people and organizations that brought them food and the funding to ultimately return home. As the ship was tangled in legal red tape, a sale could not be secured, so SEAWIND CROWN was moved from the World Trade Center terminal in Barcelona harbor to a lonely berth near the outer breakwater.

SEAWIND CROWN in the outer portion of Barcelona harbor on 27 October 2002. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

In March of 2002, the ship was shut down completely and laid up in "dead" condition. The funnel was covered, weather doors secured, hatch covers secured, pool drained, dampers secured and sealed, chain lockers sealed on the top and anchors secured, fire line drained, shell doors closed, fan rooms closed, watertight and fire screen doors closed, fresh water tanks maintained full, and sprinkler stations drained. The engine bilges were drained, boilers, tailshaft, and rudders sealed, overboard and inlet valves closed, a/c units sealed, remote control valves closed, emergency power batteries disconnected, stabilizers sealed, and refrigerator doors sealed. The Barcelona Port Authority took control of the ship, and with the berth space needed for an oil tanker facility, opted to put the ship up for auction. The first auction date of November 13, 2002 has been pushed back and a new date with auction details will be announced on this site shortly.

Still lovely from all angles, SEAWIND CROWN on October 27, 2002. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

I was able to spend several hours on board recently and was pleasantly surprised by the ship's condition. Fearing she may have been vandalized or improperly abandoned, it was great to see that despite some slight cosmetic deterioration, she looked in reasonably good shape. Aside from some slight patches of rust and decks that need a good buffing, SEAWIND CROWN has held up rather well. From top to bottom, here is a look at the ship as she appeared on 27 October 2002:

As seen from forward Sports Deck, the radio mast and funnel still make a bold design statement forty-one years after the ship entered service. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

A view over the bow from forward Sports Deck. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

The stylish Lascroux type funnel, today without logo. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

Facing forward from the aft/starboard portion of Sports Deck. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

With its green deck paint somewhat faded but otherwise intact, Sports Deck is still in good order. From its vantage over the wheelhouse, there is a good view over the ship's bow, as well.

Please click here for page five: SEAWIND CROWN tour, present day, ctd. Bridge to Promenade Deck