Cruise Talk: Retirement of S/S Norway

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Retirement of S/S Norway

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Topic: Retirement of S/S Norway

Norway
First Class Passenger
Member # 1279

posted 05-05-2000 04:21 PM

It´s sad but true, Norway will retire in 2005.
I just spoke with a friend of my father, the last captain, now captain on Norwegian Sky. He said that she will retire in 2005, when the new rules for firesafety comes. These rules says that each cabin must have a sprinkel system installed. Norway does not have this, and it will require a total refit of all the cabins. He said that Ncl doesnt want to give her this refit. He did not say why, but its probably because they will earn more money if they invest the money on a new "box" of a moneymaker- ship, like the Norwegian Sky, Sun and the newbuild they got from Star cruises.
So we can only beg that they will change their minds, and give this beautiful ship the refit she needs. She still makes some money, she would have been gone by now if not, and with a refit she will make even more. Not as much as the new and ugly ships, but she will do it with style and happy passangers!

Posts: 31 | From: Trondheim, Norway | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

nathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 720

posted 05-05-2000 06:43 PM

I though the Norway already had a sprinkler system installed to meet the last SOLAS requirements. I know when I sailed on her last year, our cabin had a sprinkler, and I know all of the public areas had them, because I was impressed (especially in the Roman Spa) had they had successfully incorporated the system. Do some, but not all of the cabins have sprinklers? Perhaps they didn't put them in all of the cabins on the lower decks, or maybe not in the crew cabins, but I know at least some of the cabins have them.

Posts: 534 | From: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 05-06-2000 05:07 AM

Although it proved to be a controversial statement, I'll say it again:

I'm not convinced about the 'fire' regulation arguement?

However, I think we are going to lose most of our classic liners over the next decade! It does not matter how wonderful they are…when the maintenance bills become too great and eat into the cruise lines profits, there fate will be sealed.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Norway
First Class Passenger
Member # 1279

posted 05-06-2000 08:38 AM

He said(the captain) 2005 is the year she will retire.
Last time I were on her I stayed in a one of the older cabins, I was a while ago(98), but I can´t remember that I saw any sprinklersystem. I hope I missunderstood the part with the new rules and sprinklersystem, then she will have bigger chance to survive. But I forgot to say that the problem is also that all of her old pipes, in the engine, and the pipes in the rest of the ship are in bad condition. They have fixed some of the worst ones, but thats very much work that have too be done. There are thousands of other things that have to be done too, all over the ship. And to keep her in condition to compete with the newer ships, she will need a total refit, maby also new engines.
My father who was officer in her engineroom(in the 80s) is a little bit more opptimistic, much can be decided over again in five years.

Posts: 31 | From: Trondheim, Norway | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

KruzinKat
First Class Passenger
Member # 260

posted 05-06-2000 02:13 PM

I'm fairly certain they DID install the sprinklers all over the ship during her last refit last spring. We had lunch with one of the theater engineers during our Trans-Atlantic last August and were told about some of the glitches that occurred - like a massive flood in the theater and in Sports Illustrated. I believe they had no choice but to install the sprinklers and were still working on them in August. In fact, some of the passengers were annoyed that the people doing the work were able to access their cabins while nobody was there. They had security concerns. And I seem to remember that some of the people talking were in smaller cabins. In any event, if she does go on the shorter Caribbean routes next year as rumored, it will be almost as if she retired for those of us who prefer longer cruises. Two and five day cruises will bring on the party crowds. Hope they appreciate her!

KruzinKat

Posts: 101 | From: Kingston, MA USA | Registered: Jun 99 | IP: Logged

cruznut6
First Class Passenger
Member # 543

posted 05-06-2000 05:48 PM

I sailed the Norway in Oct 99, and I'm certain my inside cabin had a sprinkler head mounted by the door(on the wall).Perhaps the
fire code requires even more stringent rules, as fires are the biggest cause of fatalities with the exception of sinking. I think the cost is too high for the refitting with a ship close to 40 years old. It's a shame,as the Norway is certainly in a class by her self.

Regards

Bob

Posts: 161 | From: Mount Laurel, NJ, USA | Registered: Apr 99 | IP: Logged

pungpui
First Class Passenger
Member # 1218

posted 05-07-2000 04:55 AM

It will be sad to see a good ship go.

Posts: 419 | From: Sydney, NSW, Australia | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 05-07-2000 10:35 AM

When we sailed on the beautiful and
elegant NORWAY, it was in '92 and '94. In both of our staterooms, O53
and O63, they had sprinklers. As well as the lounges and corridors.

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 05-07-2000 10:32 PM

As someone said rumors. I think alot of this news regarding the Norway is just that rumours. The shorter itinerary is something no one at NCL reservations knows nothing about. I think the Norway will be sailing for quite some time.

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 05-08-2000 10:28 AM

We're with you Geno-R, if the reservationists don't know by now.
Then rumor is just rumor. Never take
anything second hand, unless it's a
good pair of slacks you found at
a Second Hand store and they're in
excellent condition.
HAPPY CRUISING AND LONG SAIL THE
S/S NORWAY AND THE Q.E.2!!!!!!!!

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

KruzinKat
First Class Passenger
Member # 260

posted 05-10-2000 03:24 PM

Just picked this up from Cruise2 - via a link to a Yahoo site announcing NCL's 2001 itineraries being released:

S/S Norway -- Extending its Caribbean service to two- and five-day cruise packages, the legendary S/S Norway will break from its year-round seven-day Eastern Caribbean itinerary March 31, 2001. Following a special eight-day Easter sailing to the Western Caribbean on April 7, the ship will begin offering cruises to The Bahamas/Western Caribbean in a two-day Friday-Sunday and a five-day Sunday-Friday rotation. Sailing round-trip from Miami, the Norway will offer two-day cruises to Great Stirrup Cay, NCL's private island in The Bahamas, and five-day voyages that include the sought-after combination of both Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Guess that settles that, huh? Sigh. Sure am glad we made that Trans-Atlantic!

KruzinKat

Posts: 101 | From: Kingston, MA USA | Registered: Jun 99 | IP: Logged

KruzinKat
First Class Passenger
Member # 260

posted 05-10-2000 03:27 PM

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/000510/fl_norwegi_1.html

That's the link, FYI.

Posts: 101 | From: Kingston, MA USA | Registered: Jun 99 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 05-11-2000 07:49 PM

May 6th I did my own little inspection of the Norway, ans I thought she looked remarkably in good shape. I saw new carpeting and artwork throughout the ship. I was not happy that they took out the original library and and card room, and put in a shop, but if that's what it's gonna take to keep her going then that's fine with me. I didn't like the new deck aft by the pool. It's a fake wooden deck, like on many of the new ships. I think the new Zaandam even had it. I definitely didn't appreciate the blue plastic grating or decking on Sky Deck by the pool, I thought it was a bit tacky. I'm undecided about the solid royal blue funnels with the big NCL logo painted on them. I even ventured down to the engine room, and although a bit tired she looked in good shape. From all that I saw, NCL has indeed been taking care of the NORWAY. I do hope that they maintain her, and perhaps even give her the care of a maintenance refit sometime soon.

I even went to the top of the mast forward of the forward funnel.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

Gripsholm
First Class Passenger
Member # 1185

posted 05-12-2000 11:34 AM

Barryboat,
I was very happy when I read your report about NCL taking care ot their old liner. Did you have the opportunity to discuss with any of the officers about what they think of the future for the S/S Norway?

Regards,
Gripsholm

Posts: 24 | From: Stockholm, Sweden | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 05-12-2000 11:54 AM

Gropsholm, I spoke to no officers or crew, I was only on her for about two hours, but I did a throrough run through.

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

nathan
First Class Passenger
Member # 720

posted 05-13-2000 08:25 PM

Barryboat:

Sorry I missed you on board the Triumph. We ran late due to slow transfers. What did you think about the Triumph? We just had a wonderful 7 day cruise on her, and I couldn't get over how much better Carnival has become.

Posts: 534 | From: Knoxville, Tennessee | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 05-13-2000 11:35 PM

Nathan, yes...I'm sorry we missed each other it would have been fun to meet up with you. I enjoyed my visit on the Triumph. The Triumph didn't seem to have a more conservative atmosphere as I had imagined...It was still very "Carnival like". Perhaps the atmosphere will change to more of an upscale experience on the new Spirit? Don't get me wrong, I like Carnival and think they have a great product, I just thought that the ship would have a more toned down feeling onboard rather than the over-the-top feeling. I loved all the great decking! The main showlounge seems very nice, I would like to see a show in there someday. The pizza was pretty good I thought. The only real negative comment I have is that the ship felt crowded to me. Too many people...it reminded me of living in Los Angeles.

I would be curious to hear how your cruise was. How was the food? How was the service? How was the entertainment? Did you feel much motion on that ship while she was st sea? Did she dock in Ocho Rios or did you tender? ( I'm not sure which itinerary it was doing off the top of my head) I liked the atrium lobby. I noticed that the Triumph towered over the Norway. I remember when the Norway was four times bigger than any other cruise ship out there. Were there a lot of announcements? Did you have to wait in a lot of lines throughout the cruise? Did you pick up my card at the purser's desk which I left for you?

Posts: 1851 | From: Bloomington, Minnesota (Home to the Mall of America) | Registered: Mar 99 | IP: Logged

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