| Career | |
|---|---|
| Name: | 1966 onwards: Black Prince 1970—1985 (summers): Venus |
| Owner: | Fred. Olsen & Co.[1] |
| Operator: | 1966—1986: Fred. Olsen Lines/Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines 1970—1983 (summers): BDS 1983—1985 (summers): DFDS 1985 (summer): Norway Line 1987 onwards: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines[1] |
| Port of registry: | 1966—1986: Kristiansand, Norway 1986—1990: Manila, Philippines 1990—2001: Hvitsten, Norway 2001 onwards: Nassau, Bahamas[1] |
| Builder: | Lübecker Flender-Werke, Lübeck, West Germany[1] |
| Cost: | $20 million[2] |
| Yard number: | 561[1] |
| Launched: | 14 May 1966[1] |
| Acquired: | October 1966[1] |
| In service: | October 1966[1] |
| Identification: | IMO number: 6613328[1] |
| Status: | In service. Due to be withdrawn in 2009.[1] |
| General characteristics (as built)[1] | |
| Class and type: | Black Watch-class ferry |
| Tonnage: | 9,499 GRT 3,440 metric tons deadweight (DWT) |
| Length: | 141.64 m (464 ft 8 in) |
| Beam: | 20.02 m (65 ft 8 in) |
| Draught: | 6.10 m (20 ft 0 in) |
| Installed power: | 2 × Crossley Pielstick 18PC2V diesels combined 12,310 kW |
| Propulsion: | 2 propellers[2] |
| Speed: | 22.5 knots (41.67 km/h; 25.89 mph) |
| Capacity: | 693 passengers 350 berths 200 cars |
| General characteristics (as rebuilt, 1987)[3] | |
| Type: | cruise ship |
| Tonnage: | 11,209 GT (gross tonnage) 3,043 DWT |
| Length: | 141.62 m (464.6 ft) |
| Draught: | 6.42 m (21 ft 1 in) |
| Depth: | 8.8 m (28 ft 10 in) |
| Decks: | 7 (passenger accessible)[2] |
| Speed: | 18.5 knots (34.26 km/h; 21.29 mph)[4] |
| Capacity: | 472 passengers[2] |
| Crew: | 200[2] |
| Notes: | otherwise the same as built |
Black Prince is cruise ship, owned and operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. She was built in 1966 by the Lübecker Flender-Werke in Lübeck, West Germany for Fred. Olsen Lines for combined ferry/cruise ship operations. From 1970 until 1983 she sailed the northern hemisphere summer seasons on ferry service for Det Bergenske Dampskibsselskab as Venus, while returning to cruise service with Fred. Olsen for the winter seasons. In 1983 the summer ferry service was taken over by DFDS, and in 1985 it passed to Norway Line. In 1986 Fred. Olsen bought the ship outright and she was converted to a full-time cruise ship, retaining the name Black Prince.[1]
The Black Prince has been retired from the Fred. Olsen fleet on 16 October 2009.[5] Although her withdrawal is reportedly due to the new SOLAS 2010 regulations,[6] she has been sold to SAVECA for further cruise service in Venezuelan waters.[5] SAVECA plans to use the ship for cruises between islands within Venezuelan waters then as a floating hotel there.
The cruise ship Black Prince has on board: A show lounge (towards the stern) which is spread over two decks, with a bar on each level - the majority of the seating is on the lower level. The bar on the upper level also opens to the outside but this is more for waiter service on the open decks than as a traditional bar, and a piano lounge & bar (towards the bow which also contains a small Casino; three Restaurants - a buffet-style restaurant on the upper deck and two traditional restaurants (both serve the same menu); an Outdoor Pool with two Whirlpool spas.