Renaissance Cruises was a cruise ship operating company that was founded in 1989 and owned by Fearnley & Eger Rederi in Oslo , Norway . It was purchased by Edward Rudner ( founder of Alamo Car Rental ) as the company faltered during the Gulf War . It operated year-round cruise itineraries to the Mediterranean Sea , the Greek Isles , Tahiti and the South Pacific , northern Europe and Scandinavia . The company ceased operations on 25 September 2001 , having accommodated up to 220,000 guests in 2000 . While the company had been in poor financial health for quite some time , the economic decline resulting from the September 11 attacks in 2001 is credited with the demise of this cruise line . It was headquartered in Fort Lauderdale , Florida
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Renaissance Cruises