As far as classic ships, the first that comes to mind is Imperial Majesty's Regal Empress. I was onboard five years ago when she wzs operated by Regal Cruises, and she quickly became a favorite. She's best explored with a deck plan of the ship under her original name, Olympia -- I made some interesting finds. The main drawback is that she sails just two-night cruises to the Bahamas -- not enough time for us liner lovers. Note that she is temporarily out of service, as she is assisting with the clean-up and relief efforts from Hurricane Ike.
I know there are others that operate in Europe, but their names escape me now.
Edited to add: Thank you, Heron Bay and Capt Matt, for your kind words.
Originally posted by LisaP: Happy anniversary, Changoleon!
As far as classic ships, the first that comes to mind is Imperial Majesty's Regal Empress. I was onboard five years ago when she wzs operated by Regal Cruises, and she quickly became a favorite. She's best explored with a deck plan of the ship under her original name, Olympia -- I made some interesting finds. The main drawback is that she sails just two-night cruises to the Bahamas -- not enough time for us liner lovers. Note that she is temporarily out of service, as she is assisting with the clean-up and relief efforts from Hurricane Ike.
I know there are others that operate in Europe, but their names escape me now.
Edited to add: Thank you, Heron Bay and Capt Matt, for your kind words.
The Regal Empress will soon be replaced by an ex-norwegian cruise ferry, the "Prinsesse Ragnhild". She's built in 1981 and was for many years a "classic" on the Oslo - Kiel route.
The Regal Empress will soon be replaced by an ex-norwegian cruise ferry, the "Prinsesse Ragnhild"
I heard about that. What a big change for Imperial Majesty - going from a string of classic liners to a relatively modern ship. I pulled up some images. The Princesse Ragnhild has a common look to it. Sort of Holland America-ish.
Well, Dave, here in Norway she's regarded as a classic which is loved by many people. She has a very special "sound" and I remember we could hear her from our bedroom when she was outbound from Oslo, and we live a good 10 min walk from the beach.
The last time I traveled with her was in 1994 on a high school trip to Berlin.
I guess you're right - she may appear common, but this baby has a soul I'm very excited to see her reappear as a cruise ship. I guess the car decks will be turned into cabins.
October 12: QUEEN ELIZABETH 2, some 3 days in to her final 805th and final transatlantic crossing in tandem with QM2 from Southampton to New York, received a shocking headline in the press, "funnel to be sliced off". <see link below>
<Edited to replace copyrighted information with link. -LP>
This message has been edited. Last edited by: LisaP,
Posts: 9 | Location: Sydney Australia | Registered: January 28, 2008
Well there you have it. This is proof that they are no guarantees for these ships in the so-called "after life" of static hotel use. None of the cool stuff is going to be preserved from what it sounds like. Original cabins to be replaced, engines torn out, funnel, lifeboats and who knows what else. In the end she'll look like some modified, modern resort freak show that was once a proud, dignified transatlantic ocean liner.
I think after hearing this it helps bring closure to the Norway's own fate. I'd rather her die as a ship in lieu of being turned into something like what is being mentioned above.
This is proof that this is a business-venture geared towards $$$, not the preservation of classic ships.
Originally posted by Capt Matt: Well there you have it. This is proof that they are no guarantees for these ships in the so-called "after life" of static hotel use.
Exactly, Matt. Amputation of the QE2's funnel would amount to disfiguring the liner -- a very sad and misguided idea, though not completely surprising. Let's hope that it turns out to be no more than a nasty rumor.
On the other hand, it's hard to take issue with certain interior mods. Although "authenticity" would suffer, there's no doubt that many of QE2's less-expensive staterooms were -- well, odd, such as the so-called "panhandle" cabins with a porthole or two connected to the bed-sitting area by a narrow, awkward passage. And then there are the cramped heads in so many of the accommodations. While I hope that the larger, more expensive accommodations might be preserved to provide the "taste" of ocean liner ambience, it would be hard to blame the new owners if they altered the lower-end ones.
I would just hope that they have the sense, and the respect, leave her classic exterior unaltered.
Posts: 292 | Location: Upstate NY | Registered: December 29, 2005
To me, this is akin to starting the scrapping process. As tough as it was to watch our France/Norway go through it, I'm thinking this might actually be a better alternative for QE2 than to have her funnel replaced by "the most exclusive hotel room in Dubai."
This goes to show that "Stupidity" in running the world stage. And the results are often disasterous, as we have seen in the banking and business sector. I do feel that Dubai will get a lot of eggs thrown in its face. I can't understand why did it go through the trouble of buying the QE2 only to turn it into piece of junk? They might have been better off buying the QM2. I feel that once Dubai is finished with their plans for the QE2, it might turn out to be a business failure. Why turn an iconic ship into a piece of garbage? Obviously Dubai World has not seen the renovations of the SS Rotterdam. Such ashame that they will not follow its example.
Once thing is for certain, a lot of people will be resonding to this news with great anger by writing to Carnival/Cunard about their concerns. Not to mention Dubai World as well. I do wish that someone had started a letter writing campaign voicing their concerns to them.
Dan Lague
Posts: 350 | Location: Florida | Registered: May 16, 2006
While I imagine that Capt. McNaught felt constrained in what he could say, reflection suggests,to me at least, that (like QM1), it is better to have the essence of the ship preserved than to have no ship at all.
As the captain says, the only alternative is much worse. The images of FRANCE/NORWAY being devoured by the scrapyard vultures leave an indelible impression. I'll draw more than a measure of consolation knowing that the QE2 on which I sailed three times still exists, and likely will continue to exist in my lifetime, even if in an altered and attenuated form.
Posts: 292 | Location: Upstate NY | Registered: December 29, 2005
Does anyone know if there are any final pictures of France on the beach? I would imagine things are down to the lower half of the hull now, so the remains will be gone in the next month or so, with the engine room being the last bastion to fall.
It still guts me to think that it finally came to this but it's comforting to know that others share the same emotions.
Originally posted by Wolfpack Fan: just curious, why do you always see ex military and freight ships sunk for artificial reefs but never ex cruise / passenger ships ??
Good question. I honestly don't know, but will bet it has to do with $$$. (Yes, I realize I'm stating the obvious. )
My take on why they aren't used for reefs is the HUGE amount of clean up that would be required to make it more "eco friendly" underwater.
Military and transport ships are mainly comprised of metals...no curtains, carpets, cushions, wallpapers, paneling etc.... not much to do to clean them out and sink them.
Does anyone know if there has been any attempt to preserve parts of the Norway? Given that she is almost gone it would be nice to see as much of the ship as possible saved. The website that originally claimed to have parts has offered very little and next to nothing has shown up on ebay. At least when most older liners unfortunately met the same fate the contents and much of the interiors were auctioned. I would have rather seen her preserved as a Hotel or other attraction but it is too late for that now.
I'm very excited to see her reappear as a cruise ship. I guess the car decks will be turned into cabins.
)
