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I understand that they were rather high-tech in their day and, to my limited knowledge, have served their owners fairly well. However they just have never grown on me the way some other ships have.
Rego007
Both were built in St Nazaire (recently noted for QM2's construction) and the design was a nod to the last Prinsendam (1973). At the time Noordam and Nieuw Amsterdam were being designed, Princendam was HAL most modern design (both Rotterdam and Statendam were circa 1950's vessels). Prinsendam represented a design of the modern cruising product HAL had become. Noordam and Niew Amsterdam were larger versions of Prinsendam's design.
Interestingly, both ships were plagued by new build problems subsequently charged back to the shipyard. Noordam actually was returned to the shipyard. One inherent problem was vibrations and a 'bounce' in the hull. While aboard Nieuw Amsterdam, we often called her the 'New Thumpsterdam'. This vibration was an ongoing in their life with HAL and an issue for electrical and plumbing conduits which were rubbed into constant disrepair from the ship's vibration & bounce.
[ 09-23-2006: Message edited by: TampaMike ]
quote:Originally posted by gpcruisedude:Yes I believe after the United States Lines bankrutcy the Patriot was sold to the Carnival Corp for the cost of her mortgage owed to them and she sailed I believe for Charleston,S.C. then was bareboat Chartered to Louis Cruise Lines on a long term basis ,who then chartered her to Thmopson Holidays for 10 years as the Thompson Spirit!
She returned to HAL and receved here old name Nieuw Amsterdam. There where plans that she returned to HAL service but never dith. HAL was introducing the Amsterdam and really not needed the Nieuw Amsterdam. She was sold to Louis and thene on a long term charter to Thomson. here sister Noordam joined here as Thomson Celebration. But is still owned by HAL.
The ships as written by TampaMike where actually the last Dutch designed passenger/cruiseships (beside ferry's) Based on the Prinsendam an design of the Merwede Shipyard and HAL. There was even an fire a/b during fitting out. The fire destroyed an switch board in the engine room. And this was replaced by the one of the Noordam.
The problems with the delivery brought big media cover here in the Netherlands. i believed that this was one of the reason that HAL never dedicated the ships in Rotterdam.
Dispite there problems both vessels where a huge succes with HAL. And are among my favorit HAL ships.
[ 09-25-2006: Message edited by: Maasdam ]
Pam
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