Raoul, i guess you're probably the best one to answer as i've seen a few bits and bobs on the German Chat forum... do you have the latest on whats happening with her? Is she definatly going to be on her way to Alang? and if so, has she left?
Any up to date pictures would be fab.
I've always been interested in the history of the 'real' ocean liners and i've trawled many websites, but info is sketchy and most of it speculative.

Many thanks
Rosey

Rosey,

her departure was originally scheduled for Friday, May 20th, but eventually she didn't sail that day as the ocean-going tug "De Da" which has been commissioned to tow her continued to be berthed in Rotterdam.

Currently, the "Norway" is scheduled for departure from Bremerhaven tomorrow, May 23rd, at 0930 local time. There have been unconfirmed reports that the "De Da" left Rotterdam an hour ago, so the "Norway" might very well sail tomorrow morning.

Be assured that there will be pictures from her departure, but I don't know yet whether I will give it another try driving to Bremerhaven. I was there on Friday, but as mentioned above, she didn't leave.

Edit: I can now confirm that "De Da" has left Rotterdam and is scheduled to arrive at Bremerhaven tomorrow morning.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Raoul Fiebig,

Thanks for the info, hope you do get the chance to see her sail for the 'last?' time. Is she definately on the way to the breakers? as i know a while back there was some controversy as to whether they would let her go due without the asbestos removal. At one point they said that she was sold and going to far east, but that this was probably just a cover so she could sail out of europe...

Rosey,

official word is that she will be towed to Port Kelang or Singapore to be used for a new Star Cruises venture. Star Cruises' parent company plans to build an integrated casino resort / cruise terminal in Singapore, so she might end up as a floating hotel and casino there. The breakers are of course another possibility.

Thank you for your reply Raoul,
Whatever happens it will be a real shame.
I'd heared more or less the same, but the sceptics over here still think the smart money is on her not making it past India, if you know what I mean!?
Would certainly be nice to see her preserved, as so much these days is easy come, easy go.

Rosey

Hello everybody,

the S/S "Norway" left Bremerhaven under tow by the oceangoing Chinese salvage tug "De Da" (actually one of the world's largest and most powerful tugs) yesterday. Her destination is unknown. NCL says Port Klang, Malaysia, but Singapore seems to be a more likely option. Yet, she might also be sold to cash buyers enroute, who would eventually sell her to the breakers.

My photos are still in the laboratory, but my "digitally equipped friends" Stephan Giesen and Helge Barth have already published their pictures in Cruise-Chat.com's German forum, here.

As you can see in the pictures, NCL's new "Pride of America" returned from sea trials when the "Norway" left, so it was possible to catch NCL's oldest and newest ship on one picture. I guess it's not too difficult to imagine which ship looks way better than the other one to me.

Also, here's a nice series of webcam shots:



After the "Norway" had left, the formerly sunny weather turned into grey with some rain - this can also been seen in the picture. There were hundreds of spectators who wanted to bid the "Norway" farewell.

Thank you for the info, the pictures on the german forum are fantastic! I would love to have seen it, I think its really sad, but unfortunately a reflection of modern times.

Rosey

Raoul
Thanks for the information.I really appreciate all of your input on the older ship's. I find it very interesting to follow them after they leave the U.S. for whatever reason.The Norway was one of our favorites.
Tom

Greetings from Sydney Australia,
I too am a great fan of the ss Norway, I still remember her when she sailed into Sydney back in February 1974 as the sublime ss France.. I became a fan from that moment. It will be interesting to see what her future is, lets hope that she doesn't become another disaster like the Oriana... the asian market are devout gamblers, so maybe as a casino she may be a success.
But it is wonderful to hear from other ss France/Norway fans too... may this be a new start to a successful new career for her...

Hello everybody,

my photos of the "Norway's" departure from Bremerhaven have now been published:

http://www.ruderhaus.de/ncl-norway-farewell/index.htm

Can anyone tell what the sailing time would be for the Norway from Germany to Singapore ?

Best Regards

Ross (Sydney Australia)

DE DA will need 74 days for towing NORWAY from Bremerhaven to Singapoore.
On June 30th they are expected in Cape Town where DE DA needs bunkering while NORWAY will stay anchored outside the harbour.

HI Patrick,

Many thanks for the information.... any contacts in Cape Town for an update ?

Ross (Sydney Australia)

NORWAY Reaches Cape Town

June 26: SS NORWAY was observed in Cape Town today, her tug DE DA was refueling for the continuing voyage from Bremerhaven to Port Klang, Malaysia. Maritime Matters thanks Jan-Olav Storli Chief Officer Safety & SSO of CRYSTAL SYMPHONY for the update.

lwenger,

welcome to Cruise-Chat.com.

Actually there are serious doubts that the Maritime Matters item quoted by you is correct, after all. Cape Town Port Authorities expect that arrival of "De Da" (the "Norway" will remain outside the port limits with the South African salvage tug "Smit Amandla" standing by) for tomorrow night. Also, none of my contacts in South Africa have confirmed the arrival, yet.

Raoul,

I only posted the message after seeing a post on the Internet about the supposed Norway sighting in Cape Town. Hopefully, all is well. I sailed on her in October 2002 with my mother, who traveled on her as well with her parents when she was the France. I only hope she continues service somewhere - even if it's just a floating hotel.

Best regards,
Lisa

Lisa,

I do hope that she will escape the breakers, but I am still in doubt to some extent. I have sailed aboard her both in Europe and in the Caribbean, and she remains my all-time favorite ship.

warm good morning from new zealand just found your web page, what are the odds of the norway being turned into floatng hotel/
i was the ships photographer on her first trip when she entered oslo for the first time.
fingers crossed from here
andrew

Andrew,

there has been no official word yet as to the "Norway's" fate, so everything is pure speculation at this time. NCL's parent company Star Cruises' parent company, Genting International, hope to be allowed to build a casino resort / cruise terminal in Singapore, and there are indications that the "Norway" is to be part of this by serving as a static tourist attraction.

However, I guess we will have to "wait and see" what' going to happen, I'm afraid. She might also end up on an Indian beach or with a different venture.

Hallo everybody,

Ian Shiffman reports that "De Da" / "Norway" arrived in Cape Town earlier today. He will rent a helicopter tomorrow morning to take pictures of the "Norway", which he plan to publish on his web site at http://home.worldonline.co.za/~snai/indexmain.html