Cruise Talk: Ocean Glory 1

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Author

Topic: Ocean Glory 1

gohaze
First Class Passenger
Member # 586

posted 07-03-2001 12:47 PM

AJL....what ship is this? Obviously it must be a real clunker as even the Brits are holding it at Dover for safety problems. She also had them in Piraeus and was held in Lisbon as well.
When are these marvellous EU authorities actually going to DO something about ship safety other than talk about it??
....peter

Posts: 1909 | From: Vancouver.BC | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 07-03-2001 01:36 PM

Golden Sun Cruises - Aegean Spirit
Some poor write ups in the 'readers reviews' section. I have not heard a good thing about her. I think she is quite often on charter.

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

vulcania
First Class Passenger
Member # 822

posted 07-03-2001 03:22 PM

I am AMAZED at how fast and how far the AEGEAN SPIRIT was allowed to go to hell! Never the top of the line since SGTM passed her on to Costa in the early 1960s, ever since her little accident at Heraklion (which made me think it was a good time to get off and STAY off her) she has been nothing but problems. I think the solution to her, since you can't take out a 16,000 tonner and shoot her with a pistol, would be a berth at a scrapyard. She's AWFUL

Posts: 182 | From: Baltimore, MD USA | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

AJL
First Class Passenger
Member # 956

posted 07-03-2001 05:40 PM

Wow! At last I managed to log into CruiseTalk! I tried at least 20 times and always it sent me back saying "you're not logged in"...

The reason for my reply is that I want to thank gohaze for considering me as a person who might know something about a certain ship. I appreciate it! Thanks! It's the first time someone has considered me as "an expert" so to say.

And another reason for my reply is that this is my 301th post so far... My posting speed has been a little bit slower than Malcolm's, but maybe it's better that way. If I had 3500 posts, I would have to be somehow crazy

Regards
Aleksi L. http://shiplover.virtualave.net

Posts: 710 | From: Helsinki, Finland (birth place of Nokia + many ships) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Marina
First Class Passenger
Member # 1664

posted 07-04-2001 03:58 AM

Something never change ......
the ocean Glory I is operated by the sma egreeks who managed to "sink" a successful Cruise Line namely REGENCY CRUISES in 1995.
Now under the desguise of his nephew Costas Galetakis, Pirat antonioy lelakis who has a reputation of sinking ships and entire companies, is behind Cruise Holding the bareboat charterer of MSCs Symphony now Glory I.
It is indeed a shame that such "Gentleman" are permitted to dupe the public with these old clunckers. mind you tender loving care, basic hygienic regime, cleanliness throughout and crew training can overcome the age of a ship. indeed some guests do prefer to stay/visit on an older vessel, which is still a ship and not a floating city, with a superstructiure that looks like a shoecarton with a small bow!!!!
However, Lelakis gang of pirates are clueless, ignorant and outright callous to put it midely. They give an entire industry a bad name. It still bugles the mind however how these people can always reemerge and continue their dirty dealings.
Equally disappointing is the fact however, that there are always Tour Companies who are willing to team up and promote these ships to unsuspeting customers. it is we believe only possible, as those booking on these ships are first time cruisers, who look at a high gloss brochure, promisses of a life time vacation on the "most beautiful ship, fantastic food and service".
Words ar cheap. lets hope that the ship will not sail again, and the Lelakis Clan will not be able to continueto con the travelling public.
Under those circumstances, Bon Voyage seems
a slap in the face!!!

Posts: 217 | From: Miami Beach, FL.USA | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-04-2001 05:57 AM

The Daily Mail UK newspaper featured this stoy in todays issue (4/06/01). This is an edited version:

The 'Ocean Glory 1' was prevented from leaving Dover, yesterday. Safety Chiefs described the ship as one of the worst they had seen.

Inspectors discovered the crew did not speak enough English to carry out a fire drill. Escape routes were blocked, radio equipment broken and engine room pumps were leaking.

There was no fire extinguisher in the engine room where machinery was leaking fuel. There were also hygiene problems in the galley, including cockroaches.

********************************************

It is good to see the British authorities taking some firm action. Lets hope it is firm enough to stop it happening again!

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

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-04-2001 06:04 AM

Here is a current picture of the ship at Dover:

See this BBC news report on the poor state of the ship:

BBC News Report

There is also link toa 'movie' about the ship, on the above page.

[ 07-04-2001: Message edited by: Malcolm ]

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

rdv1111
First Class Passenger
Member # 742

posted 07-05-2001 07:18 AM

Got to admit, she looks pretty darn good on the outside!

Posts: 51 | From: Belchertown, Ma 01007 | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-05-2001 09:20 AM

...yes she's a great looking lady! The movie file shows her very attractive profile.

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

Jekyll
First Class Passenger
Member # 1878

posted 07-05-2001 10:17 AM

That was an intersting video clip - but they said the ship is 50 years old and I can't (for the life of me) figure what who she was originally - can someone help?

Thanks!

Posts: 1524 | From: Nowhere | Registered: Mar 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-05-2001 10:54 AM

Ocean Glory ! is Golden Sun Cruises's, AEGEAN SPIRIT. She has a history of problems! So much for 'Glory'!

quote:
Originally posted by AJL:
If I had 3500 posts, I would have to be somehow crazy

Are you suggesting something?

[ 07-05-2001: Message edited by: Malcolm ]

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

rdv1111
First Class Passenger
Member # 742

posted 07-05-2001 11:03 AM

She was the Provence, then Enrico Costa, then Symphony, and Aegean Spirit.

Apparently never a real winner of a ship, but a survivor. These days with so many going to the scrapyard, we should be greatful she's still alive. I bet with some TLC she'd come back into a good ship.

Posts: 51 | From: Belchertown, Ma 01007 | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-05-2001 11:15 AM

quote:
Originally posted by rdv1111:
These days with so many going to the scrapyard, we should be greatful she's still alive.

I agree from a historical perspective, but I'm know that her Dover passengers would not!

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

LT 1
Just Boarded
Member # 2173

posted 07-05-2001 12:20 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm:
I agree from a historical perspective, but I'm know that her Dover passengers would not!

Posts: 2 | From: UK | Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged

LT 1
Just Boarded
Member # 2173

posted 07-05-2001 12:26 PM

Just had the "pleasure" of travelling on the ill fated Ocean GORY! as it was renamed whilst we crawled home...

Posts: 2 | From: UK | Registered: Jul 2001 | IP: Logged

rdv1111
First Class Passenger
Member # 742

posted 07-05-2001 01:45 PM

With so many "better" ships available, is that charter company sticking with her? If I was them I'd run now and minimize the bad press.

Posts: 51 | From: Belchertown, Ma 01007 | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 07-05-2001 02:36 PM

I think she's a nice looking ship. Too bad about the problems. I'm also somewhat in agreement with locarno regarding the Greeks running the ship.

I have had a terrible impression of the Greek sailors from experience working with them. They believe they are the ultimate sailors on planet Earth, and they are cocky about it, yet the are very sloppy and don't take care of their ships too well. I have heard more accounts of Greek Captains being the first to leave the ship when sinking. I'm not being racist with these comments, it's just what I have observed aboard the Empress, Pacific Star, the Regency ships, Premier ships. In my opinion, the best sailors have been without question the Norwegians.

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

PamM
First Class Passenger
Member # 2127

posted 07-05-2001 02:45 PM

quote:
LT 1 Just had the "pleasure" of travelling on the ill fated Ocean GORY! as it was renamed whilst we crawled home...

I assume from that she is as bad as has been made out by the press? Were you drifting for 3 hours at one point?

Better still, will you be writing a review of the trip?

Pam

Posts: 12176 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

AJL
First Class Passenger
Member # 956

posted 07-05-2001 04:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Malcolm: Are you suggesting something?

Yeah, maybe...... just kidding!!

Here's a card of the Ocean Glory I as the Enrico C of Costa Armatori in 1965-87:

Length: 176,7 m
Beam: 22,3 m
GRT: 16,495 t
Built: 1951 Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Newcastle
Speed: 18 kn
Passengers: 750
Former name: Provence 1951-65
New names: Enrico Costa 1987, Symphony 1994, Aegean Spirit 2000 (planned name was Aegean II), Ocean Glory I 2001->

AJL

[ 07-05-2001: Message edited by: AJL ]

Posts: 710 | From: Helsinki, Finland (birth place of Nokia + many ships) | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Tim in Fort Lauderdale
First Class Passenger
Member # 953

posted 07-06-2001 08:37 AM

This turn of events is not the least bit surprising considering her owner is the nefarious Antonio Lelakis of Regency Cruises infamy.

Tim

Posts: 1468 | From: Fort Lauderdale, FL | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

Marina
First Class Passenger
Member # 1664

posted 07-07-2001 04:16 AM

NEFARIOUS LELAKIS, an understatement if there ever was one!!!
In a recent interview with Lloyd's List, antonios "The Pirat" claimed to be too old to re-enter the cruise ship business. His nephew Galetakis was running Cruise Holdings. Butthe funds to run this outif surely came from Tony, after all he did manage to steal from investors, banks and Regency coffers, leaving debts of over 200 million dollars when Regency went under in 1995. It is indeed a shame, that Tour Operators, such as thos now marketing the so called Ocean Glory - I liked her new name GORY - to an unsuspecting, yes gullible public. However, as long as there are people who are looking for a "cheap" speak affordable vacation deal, the tour Operators will continue to sell cruises on rustbuckets.
To print a high-gloss brochure, with smiling young models, sitting at a table decked with lobster, filet mignon, strolling on deck, las vegas revue girls kicking, eloqunet yes poetic description of the cruise, there will be so it seems those who fall for it and book.
In many such brochures, the age of the vessel, former names, actual Owner/Operator are not shown, and as can be seen from this case, with obvious good reasons.
here I believe the laws must be changed and quickly so.
Each brochure must show the particulars of the vessel, ownership, above all PICTURE IN THE BROCHURE MUST BE OF THE VESSEL IN QUESTION. all to often you will see photographs which are from other ships and not of the one discribed in the Brochure!!!
The old adage, if it is too good to be true, then it most likely is not, is sadly applicable to the cruise business.
My advise: check out the ship thoroughly, before booking ask the Travel Agency to give you in writing info about the vessel and it's Operators. do not book on a vessel older than 20 years!!!
Pay a little more and enjoy the wonderful world of cruising with reputable companies.
Meanwhile, those who have booked on the GLORY, should strive to get their money back, suit the tour Operator if possible for collaborating with a known felon and Pirat!!!
Your comments please!!

Posts: 217 | From: Miami Beach, FL.USA | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Marina
First Class Passenger
Member # 1664

posted 07-07-2001 04:46 AM

ms ARCADIA - another Greek disaster:
just came across this article posted in the Los Angeles Times. Not surprised at all, again an old neglegted Greek vessel, part of the socalled GOLDEN SUN CRUISES, which also opertaes the AEGEAN I. This owner was also operating the AEGEAN SPIRIT I which was then renamed to our "beloved" OCEAN GLORY I.
Again, we can only repeat, if you buy a cruise cheaply!!1 then this is what you can expect.
DETROIT--A Great Lakes cruise ship was ordered to stay docked in the Detroit River after it failed a series of health inspections and cruise operators ignored a recommendation not to sail.
The U.S. Coast Guard issued the rare no-sail order for the Greek-owned MTS Arcadia ship -touted as the first in 35 years to sail a full season of cruises in the Great Lakes.
The order was issued Wednesday after a series of failed health inspections by the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, which inspects all cruise ships with that stop at U.S. ports.
Ralph Diehl, president of Great Lakes Cruises Inc. of Waukesha, Wis., which chartered the ship, said he was upset that the Arcadia's owner, Attika Shipping Co. of Athens, Greece, did not fix the problems earlier. CDC inspectors had visited the ship in Greece and found a long list of deficiencies.
In the Great Lakes, the Arcadia's troubles were first noted June 20 during a surprise inspection at Milwaukee. The ship, which can carry up to 224 passengers, scored 59 of 100 points; 86 are required for passing.
After it failed another inspection last Saturday in Detroit, the CDC recommended that the vessel not take on passengers or sail until the deficiencies were corrected. But within hours, the Arcadia sailed to Windsor, took on passengers and kept sailing in Canadian waters, officials said.
"I felt confident that we could sail without endangering the passengers," Diehl said. But the company did cancel a trip that would have begun Wednesday, telling passengers it was for "technical reasons," the Detroit Free Press reported.
When the ship returned to Detroit on Wednesday, Coast Guard officers and CDC inspectors conducted another inspection and issued the no-sail order. Ship officials would face a $25,000 fine if they violate it.
Diehl said they hoped to get the ship fixed up to past muster by a planned sailing this weekend.
"Right now," Diehl said Thursday, "we are refitting a significant amount of equipment in the kitchen. Workers are going full throttle at it."
The situation "is a great disappointment," said Christopher Wright, whose Canada-based Cruising the Great Lakes organization has helped revive lakes cruising. "But people should not judge the other ships on the Great Lakes by the Arcadia."
*********
The fault in my opinion here lies with the US Charterer. After the CDC inspection they should have not allow the vessel to sail from greece without reinspecting her. But i know how it works. Greeks are masters in deceipt, they will promise you the world, lots of smiles and assurances, albeit nothing ever gets done. usually others are being blamed for shortcomings.
here, again an unsuspecting, trustworthy Tour Operator was conend and now has to face the music.
Cheap does not pay after all.

Posts: 217 | From: Miami Beach, FL.USA | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Cambodge
First Class Passenger
Member # 906

posted 07-07-2001 10:48 AM

Re: Arcadia--

How did the transatlantic positioning cruise go? Were there signs of potential problems there?

I would assume that incipient problems would be apparent at this point.

Posts: 2149 | From: St. Michaels MD USA , the town that fooled the British! | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-07-2001 04:15 PM

Sat July 7th

I visited Dover port today. The 'Ocean Glory 1' has been moved from her original berth at Cruise Terminal one, and berthed against the harbour wall. I assume this is to free the cruise terminal for other vessels?

The Ocean Glory looked in pretty reasonable condition externally. However, we cannot judge this book by its cover! Most of the lifeboats are the old 'open' style.

Her generators were obviously running and I could see the officers on her deck, but I suspect she is not going anywhere for a while?

I must admit that I love her profile, especially the bridge, but why did they add that strange lip to a perfectly good funnel?

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

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 07-08-2001 10:25 PM

quote:
Originally posted by locarno:do not book on a vessel older than 20 years!!!
Your comments please!![/QB]

Locarno,
I have never sailed on a ship newer than a 1965 vintage. Been on 10 cruises.

The QE2, Pacific/Island Princess, Victoria, and Albatros are more than 20 years old. The Regal Empress and Independance are going on 50 and niether has had any major breakdown, nor has the 1956 Topaz, or the 1961 Island Breeze. The Norway is 40, and the sprinkler problem was due to a hasty retrofit. Sea-Breeze was scuttled. The Rembrandt and Canberra were reliable and well taken care of until de-comissioning.

When the old liners are well maintained they can last more than 50 years, as long as the hull is structurally sound.
Ship experts on this message board believe the current newbuilds will not have as long a service life.

The Nordic Empress, and the Crown Princess, fairly new ships have had serious mechanical breakdowns of recent.

I would not worry so much about the age of the ship, but the cruise line, port of registry and itinerary. To sail from any USA port or Britain, the US Coast Guard, and British authorities are VERY strict about safety and sanitation.

The USCG pulled the plug on the Constitution, Stopped the Norway in its tracks. Now the British authorities caught the Ocean Glory with its pants down.

THE SYSTEM WORKS! and it did

My opinion of Lelakis: Not only does the cream rise to the top, so does the grease.

[ 07-08-2001: Message edited by: desirod6 ]

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

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