The MS Azamara Onward, formerly known as R Three and Pacific Princess, is a cruise vessel built in 1999 by the Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire, France. Originally constructed for Renaissance Cruises, the ship was not owned by the cruise line but leased by a group of French investors. Following Renaissance Cruises' financial collapse in 2001, the vessel was seized by creditors and later sold to Princess Cruises in 2002, when it was renamed Pacific Princess. This vessel is notable for its connection to the legendary "Love Boat," as it was named after the original Pacific Princess that featured in the television series. The ship's specifications are typical of late 20th-century cruise ships, designed for intimate, exotic, and specialized itineraries. During its service with Princess Cruises, Pacific Princess was operated seasonally by P&O Cruises Australia from 2002 to 2007, often deploying to regions unreachable by larger ships, including the South Pacific, French Polynesia, and the Mediterranean. The vessel also participated in long-duration World Cruises, sometimes exceeding 100 days, emphasizing its role in exploring remote locales. Throughout its operational history, Pacific Princess experienced notable incidents, including a collision with the breakwater at Nice, France, in October 2016, which resulted in a hull breach but no injuries. In August 2018, the ship rescued three fishermen from a sunken trawler in the North Sea. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the vessel faced port restrictions, notably being refused entry to several destinations despite no onboard cases, and ultimately disembarked passengers in Perth, Australia, and Honolulu, Hawaii. In January 2021, the ship was announced to be sold by Carnival Corporation, and in 2022, it entered service under Azamara Cruises as Azamara Onward. Its long service history, connections to popular culture, and adaptability to niche itineraries underscore its maritime significance as a vessel dedicated to exploring less accessible regions and providing unique cruising experiences.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.