It seems the NORWEGIAN CROWN has been sold to Fred. Olsen, at least according to Paul Mason's Market Report at
http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/pmason8/marketre.htm

"NORWEGIAN CROWN BHS 1988 5186 REPORTED SOLD FOR $105 MILLION FRED OLSEN CRUISES"

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Originally posted by Ernst:
I guess chances are very low that we see the obnoxiouse, obstructing fitness center removed - but what about the theater or the indoor pool?

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Next, we can start guessng what Fred.Olsen will call her....

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Originally posted by Tom Burke:

Next, we can start guessng what Fred.Olsen will call her....

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She is a cute vessel built to a very high standard (I liked the cabins) - maybe a bit crowded when full. (finally all Fred Olsen ships are now crowded) Personally I think the promenade deck is too narrow - and sadly the view from the very nice observation lounge is a bit obstructed now. (not to talk about the missing forward facing open deck space)
Nevertheless, the aft pool area is very nice (similar to Oriana / Aurora - so the target audience will like it ) The added astern verandah is fantastic.

see here (I nearly forgot my album - these pictures were taken during her last cruise for Orient)

[ 04-23-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

It's a great catch for Olsen; a much more modern and luxurious ship for under $100,000 USD per bed to replace the Braemar on long winter voyages. She's in excellent shape and the cosmetic refit will likely run them less than $5 million USD.

It's also likely this means the Black Prince's days are numbered.

Tim

[ 04-23-2006: Message edited by: Tim in 'Lauderdale ]

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Originally posted by Tim in 'Lauderdale:
I'd hedge a bet that the ink is all but dry as it's been bandied about that both the Crown and Majesty have been sold to new owners (Olsen and Louis respctively) for delivery upon conclusion of their respective 2006 Bermuda schedules which marks the end of their contractual obligations with the government of Bermuda.

It's a great catch for Olsen; a much more modern and luxurious ship for under $100,000 USD per bed to replace the Braemar on long winter voyages. She's in excellent shape and the cosmetic refit will likely run them less than $5 million USD.

It's also likely this means the Black Prince's days are numbered.

Tim

[ 04-23-2006: Message edited by: Tim in 'Lauderdale ]

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It is good news that NCL is modernizing their fleet and IMO, these two ships won't fit in with Star Cruises either. Still, it is definately a quick move to dump N. MAJESTY and N. CROWN.

Interesting addition to the fleet, if the rumours are true.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I've never taken much notice of this ship! Does anyone have interior pictures and/or a deck plan?

Anyone cruised on her? Opinions please?

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see here I travelled with her on her last cruise with Orient - it was a pleasent surprise to me (I 'had' to go with her as 'anything else' was full) - while I have been aboard some areas were undergoing refit and she already had the name Norwegian Crown on the hull (but still the Orient funnel livery).

I have some more (only some - I had only a small camera with me)

Maybe you have a look at this review.

[ 04-23-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

It was BP's small capacity (450 pax) that allowed her to be used to 'open up' new markets. Braemar carries 750 ish.

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Originally posted by Ernst:

see here I travelled with her on her last cruise with Orient ...

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(Though I have been very satisfied with the way Orient run the ship (and finally I would prefere to see here there again - but I am realistic) - and I not really liked my only Fred Olsen cruise )

[ 04-23-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Seriously: Based on what I expierienced some years ago and what I read (also in this forum) recently they should work on their 'product' - especially as they get more and more nice ships this is becoming urgent!

[ 04-23-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by Waynaro:
. Why is everyone pulling out of Bermuda with the small ships ?

It is good news that NCL is modernizing their fleet and IMO, these two ships won't fit in with Star Cruises either. Still, it is definately a quick move to dump N. MAJESTY and N. CROWN.

TIM, you said that the N. CROWN will replace the BRAEMAR on long cruises. Will the BRAEMAR be the BLACK PRINCE replacement in their ship lineup?

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Wayne,

It's a vicious cycle. Lines are pulling out as there are very few 'small' ships left sailing and they are selling these ships off or transfering them to new markets. Also, with the advent of big and bigger ships, Bermuda can't accomodate them in St. Georges and Hamilton. Thus, the ships are relegated to the West End, typically one-day calls.

Also, given the demographic sailing on these large ships, they don't find Bermuda appealing. Bermuda is not your typical 'cheap' Caribbean island and it's fairly conservative. I call it the "Mutiny on the Bounty Syndrome" - All they are searching for is salt water, free booze and a suntan. These are the same folks that try to 'smuggle' booze and even bring blenders with them to mix drinks in their cabins, thus avoiding having to pay for expensive drinks.

As far as Braemar 'replacing' Black Prince, I fear that none of the ships will 'replace' her as she has garnered the reputation of a dowdy, cheap ship. Olsen has decidedly upmarket aspirations.

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Originally posted by Thad:
So now that NCL is basically pulling out of the Bermuda run with the selling of the Crown and Majesty, what ships will be sailing there? I imagine that the Zenith and Empress of the Seas are not going to stay in their respective fleets for that much longer, so what ships will still be able to call at Hamilton? Will HAL consider sending either the Prinsendam or one of the Statendam class? Could Princess bring one of their R Class ships? Would Oceania consider sending one of theirs after they construct their new ships? Will this change MSC's decision? They would have so much less competition now on the Bermuda run. Or will this itinerary just fade away? What do you all think?

Thad

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Thad,

I fear that Bermuda has done itself in by letting in the mega-ships; it's ruining the island.

I dnt think you see any of the above mentioned lines (HAL, Oceania, Princess) sailing to Bermuda as the yields are too low.

Princess pulled out due to the fact that the run didn't make enough money and RSSC couldn't wait to pull out.

Plus, the primary market for the Bermuda run (the Northeast Corridor) is now flooded with ships. Guests would much rather hit the island as a one-day stop with many ports rather than spend several days there.

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Originally posted by Joe1690:
While I am no expert I find it interesting that NCL would sell both of these ships so soon. I mean NCL stated in either 2004 or 2005 that the Wind, Dream, Majesty, Sea, and Crown would be transferred by 2010 to star cruises. So this sale would consistent with their rejuvination plans. However, NCL also just recently stated they will not be adding any newbuilds after the Pearl and Gem until at least 2010 and that the Norwegian Wind would transfer in 2007 probably during the fall. So with only 2 new ships coming online and the fact that NCL stated they planned on replacing the wind's Hawaii itinerary by placing the Sun in Hawaii I can't imagine them downsizing their fleet by 1 ship. In addition, I find it curious that NCL just released their 2007 Bermuda schedules and it clearly indicates the Crown and Majesty sailing from Philadelphia/New York and Boston respectively. Obviously, NCL has been known to change itineraries on a whim but still if they sold the Crown and Majesty why go through the hassle of announcing 2007 Bermuda itineraries when the fact is not all of the itineraries are even out yet. I would have expected them to delay the Bermuda itinerary release until the ship sale was completed. Unless of course NCL is going to sell the ships but plans on chartering them back through the end of the 2007 Bermuda season but would this make much business sense. My gut feeling is that the Majesty is not sold but that the Crown may be sold to Fred Olsen but that it won't leave the fleet until its Bermuda run in 2007. I also agree that the Crown doesn't really fit in with Star cruises fleet so it probably wouldn't be transferred but my understanding is that the Norwegian Sea and Majesty are of similar size and have similar cabin sizes so I would think the majesty would be a perfect fit in the Star cruises fleet. Also, Louis cruise line doesn't tend to purchase ships as modern as the Majesty which was built in 1992. I realize they are expanding but this ship doesn't appear to fit their fleet profile at all in my humble opinion. I mean they are operating the old Nordic Prince, Perla, and several other ships that tend to be less than 30,000 tons.

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Joe, it's not about the number of ships in the fleet. NCL brought on the Jewel and Pride of America last year, they're brining the Pride of Hawai'i and Pearl on this year and the Gem in early 2007. That's a lot of tonnage to add when crew is in short supply.

It's all about cleaning up their balance sheet and corporate profile. When you're courting Wall Street bankers and investment firms for a multi-billion dollar IPO, you want as few smaller, older ships on the balance sheet as possible.

Shedding CROWN and MAJESTY clears out the two oldest, smallest operating units in the NCL fleet and adds close to a quarter billion to the company coffers.

In regards to Louis, why would they want to purchase a ship that matches their current profile of "small, clapped-out tub" when they want newer ships? Louis has operated anything they could get their hands on in the past as quality, modern, second-hand tonnage isn't easy to come by.

Witness the recent purchase of Birka Princess. She certainly doesn't match their current fleet profile as you see it. Why did they buy her? They're looking to modernize their fleet and become more competitive, just as every other line is.