Your "OLD" NCL almost went broke and was bought out by STAR CRUISES years ago. It does NOT exist anymore. Without their financing, half the existing NCL fleet would not exist today. The following ships would not have been built:
Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Spirit, Pride of America, Norwegian Jewel, Pride of Hawaii, later this year and next year Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem.
Assuming Star Cruises hadn't bought NCL years ago, NCL's fleet today would consist of Norwegian Sun, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Majesty, Norwegain Wind, Norwegian Dream, Norwegian Sea, Norwegian Crown and the SS Norway (assuming it was repaired).
Only two would be considered modern, and none larger than 80,000 GRT, and with just three larger than 70,000 GRT.
In comparison to the other major cruise lines, Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess, and Royal Caribbean, NCL would have by far the smallest and oldest fleet. Even the luxury and all inclusive 5 star cruise lines Radisson and Silver Sea would have larger and newer ships.
That is exactly my point. The only thing that this "new" NCL management cares about is FLEET MODERNIZATION. They don't give a rat's behind about Norway, her historical importance, her influences on the entire industry, or even the fact that of all the ships of the "old" NCL fleet, Norway was the most popular and NCL wouldn't be half the company they are today without her.
The undeniable fact is that the first priority for NCL under Star, repeatedly seen in both action and public statements (of which there are not many), is that #1 priority is having a MODERN FLEET. Norway, United States, and Independence JUST DON'T FIT into Colin's vision.
He doesn't care about the past, he cares only about the future, and NCL's future is a modern purpose-built freestyle fleet with hilarious hull art (which by the way seems to be catching on as an annoying trend). But I digress.
Let me just restate my original observation: NCL won't spend a dime restoring Norway despite her popularity. They won't spend a dime restoring United States or Independence by virtue of the same fact: their stated goals and priorities. The fact that they hired an underwater sub to inspect Big U's hull, or came up with possible deployment scenarios, is nice but overall quite useless.
If they wanted a classic US-Flagged hull sailing under NCLA they would already have one by fixing up Norway at Boston for the $32.9M they quoted for boiler replacement and SOLAS, sold her to NCLA and reflagged under a coastwise salvage title. Colin instead decided that he is not 'in the business of operating old steamships', as he put it. Funny how he didn't mention SSUS and Indy were excluded from that policy.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: anyone that truly believes that NCL is going to spend close to $1B restoring SSUS and Indy needs to tell me what they're smoking and where to get some. It's just not going to happen without a complete, top-down management shakedown which is extremely unlikely, and these assets are only being utilized as protection against competition in Hawai'i. The best hope is for a foreign-based investor who will reflag, rebuild, and operate 1, 2, or 3 of them OCONUS in itineraries or for clientele that won't take a big bite of NCL's market share.
Also....please don't get me wrong. I think Colin is a great guy and a good leader, a good manager. Like Ron pointed out, he's taken this "barely alive" cruise line with an aging fleet and turned it into something that can offer Carnival PLC/RCCI some SERIOUS competition.
But his thinking and mine differs greatly when it comes to NCL's older unused inventory, namely SSUS/Norway/Independence. This idea that these vessels can't compete in today's market is absolutely ludicrous! NCL's ideology completely ignores the following:
-With the right rebuild plan, they can be restored to near brand-new state for about half of the cost of building a new ship.
-All three ships were designed for LUXURY service, and the apparent economic slowdown that's now hitting the "budget" end of the cruise industry has absolutely no bearing on the luxury and ultra-luxury lines like Silversea/Cunard/Regent.
-All three are extremely well known, extremely popular vessels with a built-in following. The practically market themselves.
-All three are flagged in the US, or are eligible to be flagged in the US in Norway's case, meaning Title XI help from Uncle Sam and exclusive itineraries that would be theirs by statute.
-It's the PERFECT contrast to NCL's existing "freestyle" line, offering something to the public that is diametrically opposed to their other product lines - meaning their product choices would run the full spectrum. It's complete product diversification, from budget to ultra luxury.
What more could you ask for in a luxury venue? And if they don't want the "old ships" to be associated with the NCL name, just set it up as another Star subsidiary.
Colin is sitting on a veritable gold mine and allowing it to collect rust. The demand is there, the designs are there, the engineering is there, and after the IPO, the money's about to be there...and then some.
Like I said...Colin's a great guy. But these decisions...and the missinformation...blowing off your fan base...I just don't get it.
If anyone thinks the Big U or the Indy will ever turn their screws again they must live in fairyland. If the the Big U were to be put back in service she would have her superstructure cut off and recycled like a giant coke can, her mighty steam engines would follow. Her new superstucture would have all balconies and she would have a white hull with all the colors of the rainbow pianted on her side. How lovely.
Any word on Norway? She must be pretty lonely.
Any word on Mr Huard's possible aquisition Alex79818 tou seem to be the man in the know.
Huard's project will never get off the ground. He can't get any more investors interested in chipping in for his new transatlantic service (I wonder why). So his strategy is to sell cabins as timeshares. Time on that purchase option is running out. Rumor is there are possible new interested parties in the US and UK who have spoken to NCL, one regarding a straight buyout and one regarding a strategic alliance. They didn't step forward before because they didn't even know about the ships. But again this is all heresay so nothing's solid.
Me, as long as she's not on a scrap beach...anyone's guess is as good as mine. But to her credit, her repair & SOLAS 2010 upgrades are not as expensive as some have speculated it would be.
I would like to ask if there are anyone going on a NCL-cruise in the near future and on a ship that stops by their private island Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas.
If so, would you please be so kind and take some photos of the tenders on the island which I strongly suspect would be "little Norway 1" and "little Norway 2" (SS Norway's two large tender boats). I guess they are in service there right now and have replaced the more than 60 year old "BahamaRamaMama".
In advance thank you so much.
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Best regards from Jan-Olav Storli
CaptainsVoyage.com
I just wanted to say that I truly enjoyed your site and pictures of the Norway so very much. So many 'behind the scenes' and rare shots that I loved and could just stare at and study every little detail. Since I can't be there in person right now your pictures were the next best thing. Those excellent shots with your fellow officers standing on the bridgewing of the coolest ship in the world with the setting sun behind you....how do you top that? You are a very fortunate person to have been part of her crew. I hate to say it but I envy you.
For those of you that have not been to Jan's site then quit messing around here and go see it for yourself now. Make sure that you click on his name on the home page of the site because it contains some really awesome pictures of the Norway and him which are not on the actual 'Norway' link. Hands down the best pictures that I have found on the web to-date.
And Jan, I'm sure you have some more pics lying around so please update us when you can, we truly appreciate it!
Interesting points. Lets see if I have it all straight. It is possible to reflag Norway to US flag under salvage laws, is this true if you bought her? All refurbishment/rebuilding must be done in the US to be flagged US?(Pride of America was finished in Germany)It is believed that sailing under a luxury setting would make them (all 3) profitable and attention grabbing?
I've read the past posts. Lots of numbers in different areas for different things. My question is where have these numbers come from, credible sources/information or high hopes? The whole idea intrigues me. Personally I believe it would be possible to make them usable/profitable again, but not in direct competition with the 'other' cruise lines. If done properly, the only competition you should have is Cunard and Crystal...slight chance on Celebrity possibly. I'm interested in hearing peoples further thoughts on the subject of rebuilding the three of them.
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