SS United States

[Ron Clark]

Originally posted by MV Augustus:
Ron,
You must realize that when NCL supposely claimed to have owned the SS United States, they wanted to replace the entire engineroom with a new disel plant, which would wipe out the ship's history. So far, they haven't done anything to the Big U. They never will.

You comparing the Big U to a warship, which it's not. If the ship can be refurblished into a 5-Star Hotel and Museum in NYC, It'll do very well because the hotel portion of the ship would generate revenue, as well as a small maritime/hotel/cullunary training academy onboard.

As you might have seen, most of the steamships are going to the scrapyard, because its much cheaper to build a new ship at the moment than to maintain an old one, thanks in part to the easy access to new fiancing(loans). But I have a feeling that all the building of new ships that we've seen will slowly come to an end because it'll cause an over stuation in the market, and some of the cruise companies will have a lot of debt that they can't pay off on time. Because they will be too many ships going after the same type of passengers, their profit margins will decline or stagnate.

I'll agree about financing being available for for new cruise ships. The financial instutions, be it banks or investors, anticipate many years of operating profits to pay off their loan, as do the cruise lines. So why will they not raise the resources for a ship being preserved? I suggest the main reason is that none have ever made a profit, nor paid its way financially without major government support, not even the venerable Queen Mary in Long Beach. It's owned by the city as are all the other ships on this list are owned by some form of local government supported financially by the taxpayers.

I don't think you'll ever find enough private financing to preserve a ship. That's the reason I have continued to suggest putting the SS Norway or the SS US back into commercial service in some form. A stationary floating casino and hotel should be able to pay for it's upkeep and conversion. But then, wouldn't converting a barge into one be cheaper, generating more profits? Therefore, I continue to suggest placing both back into service as cruise ships, with propulsion capable of sailing to many islands. A thing a barge can not do.

What NCL plans are for the SSUS I don't know. I think it would be a tradegy if they removed its boilers. They removed half the boilers from the SS Norway, and now it sits on an Alang beach. I wonder what NCL would have done if the boilers removed in 1980 were still available for use in 2003?

[tncruiseman]

I just received a copy of the 50th Anniversary Voyage Edition of the SS United States and if you haven't read it, it is worth the time and money. As she only sailed a total of 17 years (less time than many sailing today), the major advantage she had actually led to her demise and that was US flagging. Chalk up another success story for the labor unions. With all asbestos and interior components removed, and being just 13 yrs since dry-docking for bottom painting, it would have to be cheaper to refit her for cruising over the cost of building a totally new ship. Lets hope NCL, or someone, really does have a plan. Carnival really should snatch this up for the Cunard division, better yet another fun-ship. Imagine the twin stacks with whale tails! LOL (Just kidding on that one)

[f-mattox]

That's not funny (wink-wink, nudge-nudge)

[tncruiseman]

Maybe there is a computer guru that could cut and paste the whale tails to an existing photo of SSUS. Might stir up some needed attention to her current situation!

[lbcringleader]

in regards to tncruiseman ip contacted cunard about a month ago regading the SS United States and the SS Norway and they have not replied. unlike many companies Cunard does reply with proper informatin that is usefull and not just a standard template. I contacted them about the cause just before hand and they gave me an EXTREMELY nice and informed reply. They hold strong their old time values. Thankyou Cunard!
Ill post their reply on when and if they do.
For ingormation about what was said go to pages 170 - 173 on the SS Norway Latest Page, i cant remember which one. I urge others to do the same.
Thankyou

[lbcringleader]

Where is everyone. Have u all given up or are u spending Christmas and New Year with your families?
I hope its the latter!

Save the RMS Queen Mary
SS United States
SS Rotterdam
SS France, Norway
RMS Queen Elizebeth 2

[DeeDeeL]

I cruised on the Independence in 1995 around the Hawaiian Islands. It was an experience to never be repeated unless the ship and it's sister the SSUA are refurbished. A lot is to be said for a steam ship and for a small ship. She sailed through rough waters unlike any of the bigger diesel-powered ships I have been on since. She was my first cruise and I will always cherish that. I am so glad we have videos.
Would it be a possiblity to get Monaco involved since The Constitution (SSUS) was the ship that Grace Kelly (Princess Grace) sailed on to go to Monaco for her wedding to His Grace.
I like the earlier idea of asking Bill Gates or The Donald for money for their reburbishing. Since gambling has come to the forefront in PA now, could Philly be a habor for her?
Diane in PA

[tncruiseman]

The Constitution and the SSUS are 2 different ships. CONSTITUTION sunk while being towed, I think somewhere near the Canary islands. I still cannot help to believe that refurbing the SSUS as a cruise ship could be financially viable and we must remain hopeful that NCL believes this also. After all, they are still paying 500k each year to keep her in her current berth.

[Raoul Fiebig]

Diane,

welcome to Cruise-Chat.com. As tncruiseman already wrote, the "Constitution" and the "United States" are two totally different ships that have virtually nothing in common with the exception of their US flag status.

[tncruiseman]

Here's to hoping something good will happen in this new year for the SSUS! At over $1300/day just for current dockage, something is bound to happen.