The New York investment bank American Marine Advisor has been assigned to market the R ships after the R Eight was acquired by CruiseInvest, a Marshall Islands company, which has also submitted the highest bids for the R One, B Two, R Five, R Six and R Seven, according to a spokesperson for the bank. Cruiseinvest is understood to be paying some $700 million for the six ships – an amount believed to be equal to the outstanding mortgages.

Cruiseinvest has been formed by the major mortgage holders, including Credit Agricole Indosuez. They have thus simply cleared the ships for sale free from debts and liens. Cruiseinvest has a Paris office, which will oversee the management of the ships. Technical management has been contracted to Martinoli of Monaco.

A spokesperson for American Marine Advisors explained that the company is seeking to sell or charter the vessels. The R Three and R Four remain in Tahiti.