I feel that we need to begin discussions over the future of the SS Oceanic/Independence.
What does everyone see for her future? Buyers or the beach?
Pjswansea
" Le paquebot France est lancé. Il va épouser la mer. (...) Sa mission sera de transporter d'un bord à l'autre de l'Atlantique des hommes, c'est-à-dire des pensées et des activités, des foyers de connaissance et des sources de travail, de l'art et de la richesse."
Général De Gaulle, le 11 mai 1960
Posts: 206 | Location: Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom | Registered: November 21, 2006
I feel NCL will be selling the old girl at any price in the near future.
I've been informed that there is interest in purchasing this fine vessel.
Pjswansea
" Le paquebot France est lancé. Il va épouser la mer. (...) Sa mission sera de transporter d'un bord à l'autre de l'Atlantique des hommes, c'est-à-dire des pensées et des activités, des foyers de connaissance et des sources de travail, de l'art et de la richesse."
Général De Gaulle, le 11 mai 1960
Posts: 206 | Location: Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom | Registered: November 21, 2006
I certainly hope so. I have read from Peter K. for Maritime Matters that the ships' contents was to be removed from the vessel. But it was canceled. I wonder if the vessel was already purchased? The same group that you're in contact with told me that they wanted the ship as well. So there is still hope for the vessel.
John Carter
Posts: 45 | Location: Florida | Registered: December 07, 2006
hearing that the american cruise lines (except NCL) are making a lot of money, I cannot believe, that there is none of these enterprises able or willing to renivate or save this historic american ship??? What about using it as a hotel in the port of Miami eg for people who have to spend a night in Miami before or after their cruise?????????
Nederland 1984 - Fascination 2003 - Carnival Triumph 2004 - Carnival Legend 2005 - Costa Victoria 2006 - MSC Musica 2007 - Costa Atlantica 2007 - MSC Sinfonia 2008
hearing that the american cruise lines (except NCL) are making a lot of money, I cannot believe, that there is none of these enterprises able or willing to renivate or save this historic american ship??? What about using it as a hotel in the port of Miami eg for people who have to spend a night in Miami before or after their cruise?????????
Like where will they put her? Every pier in Miami is needed for "operating" cruise ships, at least once per week. Besides, this ship has no historical significance in Miami.
Rhein, I was thinking exactly the same thing, only for San Francisco...she's been a fixture there for so long, anyway.
Quite seriously, though, I had hoped to bring her home to Massachusetts. I was once in search of an organization to help with this effort, but I was not successful at that time. There was an organization that was trying to save the former shipyard where she was built, but they were not successful at that effort. I believe a car dealership will be located there.
A gentleman by the name of Scott Haefner secretly boarded the SS Independence during the past few months and took some very interesting pictures both inside and outside the ship. Some of these pictures can be found at...
You can see in these pictures that the old girl is still looking pretty good despite her neglect by NCL. Personally...I think she's on her way to the scrap yard. All this talk of a buyer reminds me of all the false hope we were given with the SS France/Norway.
hearing that the american cruise lines (except NCL) are making a lot of money, I cannot believe, that there is none of these enterprises able or willing to renivate or save this historic american ship??? What about using it as a hotel in the port of Miami eg for people who have to spend a night in Miami before or after their cruise?????????
With the refurb, maintenence, opperating costs and other factors most older ships simply don't make economic sense vs building new state of the art ships that the masses of the cruising public will spend more each week to fill. With cost higher and revenues lower, there is a reason NCL and all the other lines are continuously modernizing their fleets and buiding new ships that have lower overhead, stabelizers, better facilities for childrens progams and fittness, etc. There is emotional and historical value in these ships but when you have to answer to stockholders for your bottom line each quarter they just don't make good business sense to keep on the seas. If some historical society wants to raise and spend the $$$ required to keep them in shape that would be great. For a corporation to do so would be an irresponsible expense, not an investment. Those here wanting these ships saved should start a foundation and seek philanthropists and common folks who care enough to cut a check to save them and bring them back to their glorious pristine condition and keep them there.
although I know there is no historical relation between Miami and the Independence, my idea was to search for a city, where a lot of cruises start and end. And nowhere else are starting more cruises than in Miami with Fort Lauderdale situated very close. Because it should make economic sense.
Other advantages for the cruise line(s) would be for example:
- binding the client to Your enterprise - more cash for the enterprise, because Your customer doesn't need a hotel - or You give the night as an extra bonus for people, that cruised several times with You....
Nederland 1984 - Fascination 2003 - Carnival Triumph 2004 - Carnival Legend 2005 - Costa Victoria 2006 - MSC Musica 2007 - Costa Atlantica 2007 - MSC Sinfonia 2008
although I know there is no historical relation between Miami and the Independence, my idea was to search for a city, where a lot of cruises start and end. And nowhere else are starting more cruises than in Miami with Fort Lauderdale situated very close. Because it should make economic sense.
Other advantages for the cruise line(s) would be for example:
- binding the client to Your enterprise - more cash for the enterprise, because Your customer doesn't need a hotel - or You give the night as an extra bonus for people, that cruised several times with You....
And that's why I suggested Miami woould be a lousy place for a ship hotel. The pier you'll use to tie the hotel ship means one less pier being available to tie real cruise ships to.
The piers and cruise terminals are worth far more than the Independence is worth. Dodge Island only has so much room available for piers, and when they aren't being used by cruise ships, they are being used by container ships.
I know all said she was way to far gone for any other sailing, but lookig at those photos she look like she could make steam and sail , she really seems to be in good condition. The photographer said a Romanian crew was preparing her for the tow, why would Romanian be doing that if she's goinng to NCLs favourite destination Alang? Any news from Guam, how long before she gets there?
After reading the article mentioned, I find it comical that no one knows the location of the ship..especially with all the satellite technology.
Next Cruise: Carnival Fantasy 10-27-08
03/08 Carnival Fantasy 10-07 Carnival Holiday 03-07 Carnival Holiday 11-06 Carnival Triumph 03-06 CaribbeanPrincess 01-04 Carnival Victory 09-03 Carnival Destiny 05-03 Carnival Imagination 11-02 Carnival Imagination 01-02 RCCL Rhapsody of Seas 02-01 RCCL Sovereign of Seas 02-00 RCCL Empress of Seas 01-99 RCCL Sovereign of Seas 01-98 RCCL Majesty of Seas
I agree... If the E.P.A is after the vessel, wouldn't they ask the armed forces or NASA to do a spy satellite search for the vessel? Then contact the U.S. Coast Guard or the Authorities of the country where the Constitution and tug boat are near and intercept the ship?
Under the Bush Administration, I doubt that the EPA will stop the tug boat that is taking the SS Indy to its final resting place. Otherwise, they would not have allowed the ship to leave the country.
I have no doubt that the same plan is in place for the SS United States as well. In addition, I fear that the Big U might leave the country before its documentary will air in May.
Dan Lague
Posts: 335 | Location: Florida | Registered: May 16, 2006
What does the Bush Administration have to do with the SS Indy or any other ship going to the scrap yard. I am not a political animal but I am sick of people blaming the Bush Administration for everything including the common head cold.
I do however love the old ships & the problem lies in with the owners of the ship & the owners of the SSUS doing the right thing and trying to keep these ships in service instead of using them as pawns in their game of creating a US ship line.
Personally I would have thought that Congress would have asked for some garantees along the lines of - "yes you can form a US line, but you must put SSUS back in service...."
