Some continued reposts in high-resolution of my favorite sets. I consider this the absolute crown jewel of my collection. I’ve posted the story of this ship before, but given the number of new chippers we’ve gotten in the last year, I’m including the story again.
Background
In October 1990, The cruise operator Stena Line decommissioned the Swedish-flag bearing ferry ship CROWN PRINCESS VICTORIA selling it to the Greek-owned StarLite Cruises, who bought the ship in December 1990, renaming it the PACIFIC STAR. The ship, built in 1968, had originally been a ro/ro ferry called STAFFORD, but since renamed, reconcepted and rebuilt many times over the years.
The redesigned PACIFIC STAR sailed first in Apr 1991, a red-white-and-blue trimmed, Bahamian-flag bearing gambling ship, promising the West Coast's first and only one-day gambling cruise experience.
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The ship departed from San Diego's CST for an out-and-back 13-hour cruise including a 2 hour stop in Ensenada and Old Mexico, and then back to San Diego, by around half past ten in the evening. Up to 400 passengers could be easily accommodated on the 475 foot former ferry. It boasted sumptuous buffets, a full (but small) casino, sundecks, sports bars, hot tubs and Vegas-style entertainment. About an hour after leaving San Diego, the ship would be in international waters, when the casino became the main attraction - it had slots, video poker, blackjack tables, and of course -- two poker tables.
Sale and Decomissioning
Unfortunately, the PACIFIC STAR sailed for only one season, making its last voyage in November of 1991.The chips below are from the first and only season the ship sailed. StarLite sold the ship to Island Breeze International, who moved the ship over to Miami, and for several years after that, operated it as a day-cruise gambling ferry from Dade county.
This is the last known photograph of the ship, from 2012, when it was called the ISLAND BREEZE. The picture shows a ship in disarray and neglect, a far cry from the "glistening and regal" PACIFIC STAR from almost two decades before. I haven't been able to find out if the ship was so old and used that it was decommissioned soon after.
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The high-res pics from across a couple of shoots.
