Island Princess

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The ship began operation in 1972 with Flagship Cruises, under the name Island Venture. In 1974 she was sold to P&O's Princess Cruises along with sister ship Sea Venture. The pair were renamed Island Princess and Pacific Princess, the latter now operating as the Pacific. Both appeared in the 1970's television sitcom The Love Boat, although the Pacific Princess was the main feature of the show. The "Island Princess" operated as part of the Princess fleet until 1999, when she was sold on to Hyundai Merchant Marine of South Korea. Renamed Hyundai Pungak her role was to transport South Korean pilgrims to religious sites in North Korea.

After a brief stint as the Platinum and a major refit, since 2003 the vessel has been sailing as Discovery. For part of the year she is operated under the Discovery World Cruises banner, the rest of the year for Voyages of Discovery cruising out of Harwich, England.

Statistics:

The ship is 168.8m long and 24.7m beam, originally measured 19,910 GRT and was built at Nordseewerke, Germany. She could carry 646 passengers, and had a top speed of 21.5 knots. The Discovery Cruises web site lists her current gross tonnage as 20,186, top speed as 18 knots and passenger capacity as 698.

Propulsion is by four Fiat medium speed diesel engines with a combined power output of 18,000 shaft horsepower. The engines are individually clutched and geared in pairs to each of the two shafts which drive controllable pitch propellers. This arrangement enables one or more engines to be shut down and declutched as required. Current registry is under the Bermudan flag.

On board eight decks are open to the public; Sky Deck, Sun Deck, Bridge Deck, Promenade Deck, Riviera Deck, Pacific Deck, Bali Deck and Coral Deck.

Courtesy of Martin Warren

Glacier Bay 1977

Courtesy of Phil Archer

The IP in dry dock 1981 - Todds shipyard, Los Angeles.

Courtesy of Phil Archer

This is how the IP Engine Room looked in 1981/82

Courtesy of Phil Archer

View of the top of No. 3 & 4 Fiat main Engines

Courtesy of Phil Archer

The first time I saw the IP Purifier Room was when I was in 1978. I remember Bert McAughtrie (Dirty Berty) was the 3EO and Jimmy McFagen was the 4EO. Jimmy got pissed off with me because I could not de-sludge a purifier after he showed me. I don't know how many times I told that story to Gadgets and Junior Engineers. I think I knew every part number on an Alpha Laval purifier off by heart when I left the sea.

Courtesy of Phil Archer

This was Denis Tanner's (VO) space. You touch any of the refrigeration equipment and Dennis will kill you. I haven't seen Dennis for over twenty two years. I hope he is doing well.

Courtesy of Phil Archer

The infamous Miraman (mirror man). What great memories I have. He was the go to man. He showed countless Gadgets and Juniors the way. Everyone respected him. He could start up a four stage evaporator faster than the next guy.

Courtesy of Phil Archer

Just one of the four DA's that had a crankshaft failure. I'm sure everyone on the IP at this time remembers each and every incident.

Courtesy of Phil Archer

Repairs in progress.

Courtesy of Phil Archer

IP Control Room 1979.

Courtesy of Phil Archer

This is a picture of Phil Archer taken on the IP in 1981 or 1982 when he was a 4EO. I think he was wearing a mess boiler suit at the time.

Courtesy of Alan MacKenzie

Postcard, Island Princess circa. mid-1970s.

Courtesy of David Quixley

This great photo of the IP was taken by David Quixley in Falmouth, Cornwall, summer of '96.

Gareth Jones writes;

I've just had a look at the Maritime Matters web site. There is a great blog on the mv Adventure (Formerly the IP). There are many shots of the new interior of the ship, plus some recognizable ones from the past. The IP looks to be in great condition top sides, although its sounds like she is having engine problems. All those who sailed on the PP and IP may be interested in having a look, go to www.maritimematters.com

Courtesy of Tony Clarke

Above are 5 copies of "Princess Patter" from the 1978/79 period.

Courtesy of Bob Johnston

Panama Canal transit 1977

Courtesy of Bob Johnston

Ditto

Courtesy of Andy Patterson

Aug 80 - Island Princess in the Inside Passage

Courtesy of Terry Williams

Terry writes;

In December 1976 I joined Island Princess in Los Angeles & she promptly moved up to San Francisco into dry dock at the Bethlehem yards! My memory is fading, but after coming out of dry dock we headed north to Vancouver. That evening we went to emergency stations, and a terrible tragedy occurred – a crew member made the wrong call when the watertight doors were closing. I can’t recall the name of the surgeon on board at the time, but I suspect he needed a couple of large scotches.