Pullmantur began cruise operations in the 1990s by initially selling cruises on board , founded by Anastasios Kyriakides (subsequently merged with Premier Cruises), in the Southern Caribbean from Premier Cruises and later also on board Premier Cruises flagship the SS Rembrandt in the Mediterranean. Premier changed its business plan in 1997 and canceled its contracts with operators, such as Pullmantur, and later collapsed in 2000. Pullmantur then acquired SS "Big Red Boat 1" and started its own cruise line, Pullmantur Cruises. "Big Red Boat 1" reverted to her original name , and began cruising around the Mediterranean from Barcelona in May 2005. The "Oceanic" became very successful, and in 2002, Pullmantur acquired a second ship, MS "Pacific", from Princess Cruises, and chartered the former Renaissance Cruises ship from Cruiseinvest. "R Five" was marketed under the name "Blue Dream". Two more ships followed in 2003 when Pullmantur acquired MS "Superstar Aries" from Star Cruises and renamed her , while "R Five"s sister ship was chartered as "Blue Star".