With all the problems NCL had in getting rid of the Norway - do you think they would build a Norway 2 ??? I am sure they would be happy to rid themselves of everything to do with the name - remember it is now an Asian company not Norwegian !
Posts: 9 | Location: Sydney Australia | Registered: January 28, 2008
What I was trying to say was that if done smartly & correctly, NCL could have introduced a replacement ship. They could have taken all of the neat features (i.e: dining room murals, railings, etc.) from the original and transplanted them into a new, modern ship.
Thanks for the clarification. I also think it would have been nice for NCL to have honored SS Norway in some manner on one of its (boxy) newbuilds. Perhaps something similar to what Celebrity did with the specialty restaurants on its Millennium-class ships. What a marvelous backdrop this could be to Le Bistro! People will still go, as many go to Le Bistro, anyway, and while the message would be lost on most of them, there are still those that would appreciate it. Additionally, many crew members continue to speak quite fondly of her.
As for me -- yes, that might sway me toward NCL if the choice were between this hypothetical new ship and another line that is not among my usual first choices. Of course, my judgment is rather clouded now. I'd actually be more impressed by NCL honoring her and acknowlegding her existence and her vital role in building the line in the '80s and '90s.
Just got back from a QM2 transatlantic trip. We had a little bit of weather classed as "rough seas" and the ship was as smooth as silk. Did have a nice liner feel too.
Originally posted by atlantic109: Just got back from a QM2 transatlantic trip. We had a little bit of weather classed as "rough seas" and the ship was as smooth as silk. Did have a nice liner feel too.
Great to hear - I watched a brilliant programme on TV recently regarding the design and building of the QM2 - seems that she could be as close to the spiritual replacement for SS France as we can get at the moment. Designed as a Transat Liner, she is the one and only one to buck the trend. Much as she clearly fills all the modern requirements and is, as I understand it, profitable, I still think that visually she doesn't have that sleekness of design that the original form of the SS France had. But hey, we live in modern times, people expect more, both in terms of comfort and features and the owner/operators require a greater chance of making more money, so I guess we have to stack the passengers a little more than we'd like to. Having said that, the QM2 is a marvellous achievement in this day and age. May she sail for a long, long time.
I still think that visually she [QM2] doesn't have that sleekness of design that the original form of the SS France had. But hey, we live in modern times, people expect more, both in terms of comfort and features and the owner/operators require a greater chance of making more money, so I guess we have to stack the passengers a little more than we'd like to. Having said that, the QM2 is a marvellous achievement in this day and age. May she sail for a long, long time.
I certainly agree 100%. QM2 is visually impressive, but she's no beauty; seems as if today's ships are designed from the inside out. But like you I'm glad that there is still a ship out there with ocean liner scantlings, and capable of ocean liner performance.
Posts: 292 | Location: Upstate NY | Registered: December 29, 2005
With all this about the Norway (which is absolutely heartbreaking to see) has anyone heard anything about the S.S. Independence, news, pictures, anything, it's almost like she just slipped away.
Last month i have open a " new " section on my blog of s/s NORWAY , of my : " Farewell Transatlantic September 2001 " ... For this " Spécial Cruise " i have addicts little comments in English http://tdm99.skyrock.com/61.html Oh , i forget : we came just today in NEW YORK on Pier 88 this 5 September 2001 ... " BON VOYAGE " !!!
The SS Norway was denied the opportunity to follow in the SS Rotterdam's footsteps. Thus NCL has certainly got what it deserved for its neglect of the SS Norway.
Dan Lague
Posts: 350 | Location: Florida | Registered: May 16, 2006
Originally posted by tncruiseman: I haven't heard anything about the Queen Mary2 or Queen Victoria having any issues with rough seas.
Take a peek at the two pictures here, taken from a side-by-side north Atlantic crossing with QE2 and QV. Which would you rather be on?
Those are wonderful photos. They speak volumes about the difference between a modern cruise ship and an Atlantic liner. With all due respect to the QV and her design brief, my heart is on the QE2.
Posts: 292 | Location: Upstate NY | Registered: December 29, 2005
Does anybody know the status of the vessel? I mean has already the workers got in contact with the asbestos, or are they avoiding this risks??? God poor people!!
Newest image from August 14 posted to www.midshipcentury.com today. I also added a view from the port side taken a few weeks ago and moved the starboard view to the bottom of the page so the "progress" is consistent from the port side.
Australancruiser, for what it's worth, I am having the same problem using AOL. I still see only the photo from July 4. I believe this has happened before, and it was because AOL was holding on to some old URL data and wouldn't let go, but I have no idea how I finally cleared it out. Maybe someone more computer-savvy can remind me how to do it.
When I tried viewing the site using Firefox, I was able to see the updated page. It's tragic.
