Oceanic sails with a new Big Red Boat look

Business Wire, Jan 19, 1995

PORT CANAVERAL, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 1995--The Star/Ship Oceanic arrived in Port Canaveral yesterday with a new Big Red Boat look after finishing $17 million in improvements during her recent drydock in Genoa, Italy.

According to Michael Chadwick, president and chief executive officer for The Big Red Boat, the drydock included resurfacing of the Riviera Pool, the addition of a Tiki bar on the aft deck, renewed teak decks, and a number of routine maintenance items. The bulk of the expense was incurred in the deck and engine work.

In addition, the ship's previous tricolor has been changed to a solid red by eliminating the yellow and orange trim around the "P" insignia on the funnel and its trim around the hull of ship areas.

The Oceanic sails out of Port Canaveral every Friday on a three-night cruise and every Monday on a four-night cruise to Port Lucaya and Nassau in the Bahamas. The Big Red Boat has owned the sleek ship since 1986. The Oceanic is 782 feet long with a beam of 96 feet, is 40,000 gross tons and has a cruising speed of 26 knots.

The drydock was completed by San Giorgio del Porto Ship Yard located in Genoa, Italy.

The Oceanic will resume sailing on January 20 and is running at 100 percent capacity.

Premier Cruise Lines operates two ships known as The Big Red Boat with departures from Port Canaveral, Fla. The family cruise line specializes in seven-night vacations which include three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas with three- or four-night Orlando theme park vacations. The Big Red Boat is a subsidiary of The Dial Corp (NYSE:DL), a Fortune 500 company.

-0-

Note: Photos available upon request.

CONTACT: The Dial Corp/Premier Cruise Lines Ltd., Phoenix

Brad Parker, 602/207-1049

or

Premier Cruise Lines Ltd., Port Canaveral

Paula Meyer, 407/783-5061, ext. 2296