Cruise Talk: NCL's American Flagged Line- Deployment

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Author

Topic: NCL's American Flagged Line- Deployment

Commodore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1575

posted 04-18-2003 06:20 PM

Well, I've been thinking. Wouldn't it be unviable for NCL's new division to have 3 70,000gt + ships in Hawaii? So I thought about it and decided to make a topic of it. Here's my proposal Procject America 1 & 2 go to Hawaii, with the Indy instead of the Star. It still seems a bit much but AMCV thought they could fill them all right? Then the Norwegian Star and SSUS go on All-American cruises on the East Coast, maybe something like 4 & 5 days from Tampa to Key West and New Orleans.

And Eastern Caribbean to San Juan and the Virgin Islands only instead of foreign stops.

What do you think? What are your proposals/ideas.

Posts: 1106 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Keitaro1
First Class Passenger
Member # 3567

posted 04-18-2003 09:11 PM

I don't know about having no foreign ports in the Caribbeans. My proposal would be to have NORWEGIAN STAR sail a roundtrip 7-day itenary sailing the southern edge of the United States (in the Gulf of Mexico) from Port Everglades. Her ports could be New Orleans, Galveston, Tampa, Key West and Miami.

Then SSUS can do the Caribbean itenaries from Phily or NY stopping at a few US ports on the way and probably go to the Bermudas. Or she could just sail on the east coast and add Bermuda on the itenary. I bet if NCL would her high-speed engines (unlike NORWAY's 19 knots), she would easily destroy CARNIVAL LEGEND. Then the NORWEGIAN DAWN could move back down south.

[ 04-18-2003: Message edited by: Keitaro1 ]

Posts: 98 | From: Washington State | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Marlowe
First Class Passenger
Member # 1632

posted 04-19-2003 12:11 AM

Isn't the NORWEGIAN STAR going to be restricted to Hawaii only coastwise voyages after her reflagging to US? I know the two Project America ships will be restricted to the Islands.

Regarding other coastwise itineries/products which may be considered, how about the folowing:
1. all Alaskan cruises without going all the way down to Vancouver or Seattle which allows a great amount of virgin coastline be opened up finally
2. conferences at sea between any major set of US ports because up to $1600 can be deducted for attending a professional conference on a US flag cruiseship sailing on a coastwise voyage and I believe that the IRS has a pretty loose definition of what constitutes a professional conference.

Posts: 414 | From: mt. vernon, wa, usa | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 04-19-2003 12:26 AM

NCL will more than likely besides Inter-Island Hawaiian trips, I believe they will do California-Hawaii sailings and maybe even Hawaii-Tahiti or even some Hawaii-Australia, that would be unique itineraries NO one else does!! They would probably want a Pacific Stronghold and could even have one ship on the East Coast doing U.S. East Coast trips, maybe The Norway.

I can almost guarantee the California-Hawaii will be a for sure thing and good bets are The Independence will sail it for now!

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Marlowe
First Class Passenger
Member # 1632

posted 04-19-2003 01:17 AM

California to Hawaii may be one to try but I thought cruise passengers didn't want too many days at sea without a port call? LA to Honolulu at 20kts is 4 days if I am not mistaken which oly leaves 2 days for the islands if you're selling 7 day cruises.

Regarding using a US flagged NCL ship to do a foreign voyage makes no sense whatsover since they have a sizable fleet of modern foreign flag ships to make those trips far more profitably that a US ship can. I say the US flag fleet does US Coastwise voyages only with a whole new brand and marketing focus.

Posts: 414 | From: mt. vernon, wa, usa | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

gpcruisedude
First Class Passenger
Member # 3533

posted 04-19-2003 01:51 AM

True about NCL could use a foreign flag ship for "other voyages"! I can't see The United States and Independence doing Coastwise sailings, and it would make alot of sense to do San Fransisco-Hawaii sailings, 4 days across and 3 days/3 Islands ending in Honolulu, then call at 3 different Islands(3 days) and 4 days back across. Then every 14 days rotate and do the exact same route in reverse calling at the last set of Islands first and the first set last to make it a 14 day Round Trip crossing!

Could be a 7 day one way or 14 day roundtrip, never seeing the same island more than once on a 14 day roundtrip from L.A. and also calling at San Fransisco one way and Monterey coming back! And Then they could do a San Diego-Seattle, calling at L.A.,San Fransisco,Portland or Astoria.

Also one on the East Coast running say from Boston to New Orleans,calling at Newport Rhode Island,New York City, Charleston,Jacksonville, Port Canaveral,Miami,Tampa.

Posts: 865 | From: Grande Prairie,Alberta | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

moodus2
First Class Passenger
Member # 2414

posted 04-19-2003 06:50 AM

the ss indy may keep her steam
plant and steam from her birth
place of boston to bermuda,coast
of maine,nova scotia,new york city,norfolk,va.,charleston,sc.
and jacksonville,fl. in the
spring,summer and fall.

in the winter she may steam from
philadelphia,pa. to florida ports like jacksonville,cape canaveral,miami,key west or
even a bermuda run in the winter.

the big u would motor from ny city to bermuda,nova scotia,florida and a few trans atlantic trips to the united
kingdom in the spring,summer and
fall.
in the winter she could sail from charleston,sc. to miami,
key west,virgin islands,san juan,puerto rico.

a few foreign ports might be added.
with indys draft of 26 ft. and
the big u 29 ft. they could sail
just bout anywhere.

Posts: 473 | From: moodus,ct. | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

Cambodge
First Class Passenger
Member # 906

posted 04-19-2003 08:14 AM

I am in favor of the "Bermuda Triangle" route which Rotterdam sailed with great success for years. Either US or Indy has the speed.

A one-week triangle voyage: NY-Bermuda-Nassau.

Worth consideration.

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

Marlowe
First Class Passenger
Member # 1632

posted 04-19-2003 10:08 AM

again, we are talking of a foreign voyage which can be done with any NCL ship...the new "old" ships need to do unique all USA coastwise voyages to make their rebuilding worthwhile

Posts: 414 | From: mt. vernon, wa, usa | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Commodore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1575

posted 04-19-2003 10:15 AM

Hmmm.. they are all interesting. That Bermuda Triangle Route is really new to me! That is certainly better than my E. Caribbean proposal, but I also like the idea of 4 & 5 days from Tampa to Key West and New Orleans(very popular). Any more thoughts?

[ 04-20-2003: Message edited by: Commodore ]

Posts: 1106 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 04-19-2003 11:24 AM

I would like to see, the BigU or the Indy do coastal cruises from Montreal to Key West, and all the stops in between, and departure points can vary with the seasons. It would be great to buy segments
lets say from Bar Harbor to Baltimore. Snowbirds can have a more dignified way of migration from NYC to Miami and back than flying or driving.

I would like the same concept from San Diego to Seattle.

Essentially we could have an American Hurtigruten

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

CGT
First Class Passenger
Member # 3531

posted 04-19-2003 02:00 PM

What do you think a Transatlantic crossing is? You're at sea for 5 or 6 days, then you get off in England. You see England on your own. California to Hawaii would just be a transpacific. You sail to Honolulu and get off, seeing Hawaii on your own.

CGT

Posts: 2760 | From: New York, New York, USA | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

CGT
First Class Passenger
Member # 3531

posted 04-19-2003 02:08 PM

Actually I wish Matson had decided to get back in to the passenger shipping business, and they had bought the Independence and United States. Then they could have been the US Flag carrier doing intra-Hawaii and California-Hawaii crossings, just like they did in days of yore!

CGT

Posts: 2760 | From: New York, New York, USA | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

CGT
First Class Passenger
Member # 3531

posted 04-19-2003 04:45 PM

Snowbirds can have a more dignified way of migration from NYC to Miami and back than flying or driving.

Hmm I just love how people always forget to mention the train. I know "snowbirds" who live in Conecticut who own a winter home in Fort Lauderdale. They take Amtrak's "Silver Service" down to Florida and back all the time. I met them on board the "Silver Star" coming back to NYC from my cruise over last Thanksgiving, they were in the same sleeping car as me around the corner in a deluxe bedroom. I was in a standard bedroom.

On the west coast, the "Coast Starlight" is Amtrak's premier train and it's most popular, traveling from L.A. to Seattle. This train features a special lounge car "The Pacific Parlour Car" reserved for First Class (sleeping car) passengers. Coach passengers have use of the main lounge car. The train also has a special kids play room in one car.

CGT

[ 04-19-2003: Message edited by: CGT ]

Posts: 2760 | From: New York, New York, USA | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Marlowe
First Class Passenger
Member # 1632

posted 04-19-2003 08:42 PM

With regards to long at sea legs...you don't see too many lines offering regular trans Atlantic crossings anymore and Cunard does it as a "tradition" thing I believe.

Regarding USWC to Hawaii voyages, there certainly must have been a reason American Hawaiian Cruises chose not to.

Since SSUS never did USWC to Hawaii or trans Pacific crossings in her life, she is kinda short in the "tradition" department on that run. I always hoped the late BRITTANIS coulda been brought back under Matson colors restored to her original configuration to recreate that nostalgia. Oh well...

Posts: 414 | From: mt. vernon, wa, usa | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

CGT
First Class Passenger
Member # 3531

posted 04-19-2003 08:52 PM

Regarding USWC to Hawaii voyages, there certainly must have been a reason American Hawaiian Cruises chose not to.

Actually they did do these voyages for a time in the early '80's.

CGT

Posts: 2760 | From: New York, New York, USA | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Commodore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1575

posted 04-20-2003 08:51 AM

Well I think all these proposals are great but I like the idea of the Bermuda Triangle route, only I'd replace Nassau with Key West and maybe make a call at G Stirrup Cay or Freeport if the ship's fast enough. Does the Norwegian Star have to be American flagged, because she could do the N. Dawn's old routes with NCL with her current registry.The United States I'm thinking, maybe 8-days from NY to Key West, St. Croix, and St. Thomas or San Juan.The Norwegian Dawn can continue her route, or go W Caribbeam from NY or that Bermuda Triangle. If the weather is too much for the Big U's hull for year round NY(Even if it is very strong and did operate from NY in the cold weather for years) than maybe 3/4/5(depending on her new speed) days from Key West to either New Orleans or New Orleans & Key West. As for the Indy she should take the Norwegian Star's place in Hawaii or do Longer Hawaii from San Fran(which could do both in different times of the year. With the Norwegian Star in Hawaii with the Project America ships NCL would have to fill 6,024 berths!!

(The N. Star is listed as 2,224 pax double occupancy and the Project America ships are just listed as 1,900 pax it doesn't say double occupancy or not but I think it is.)Compare that with the Independence in Hawaii with the Project America ships and you get...4,835 which is still steep but much more modest than 6,024. What do you think???

Posts: 1106 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 04-20-2003 09:58 AM

quote:
Originally posted by CGT:
They take Amtrak's "Silver Service" down to Florida and back all the time. I met them on board the "Silver Star" CGT
[ 04-19-2003: Message edited by: CGT ]

No doubt Amtrak is nice, but I and others would prefer a ship, ship amenities that no train can provide, entertainment that no train can provide, social life, plus a view of the ocean. Railroads can traverse some pretty dreary area.

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

Commodore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1575

posted 04-21-2003 08:36 PM

I just got a great idea!! 7 or 8 day cruises to maybe Key West, and the Southern Caribbean, maybe Martinique and San Juan or maybe Aruba or Curcaco, since if the Norwegian Dawn is fairly fast maybe engines about as powerful as hers can power her really fast! Remember these are just hypthetical, you can make your imagination run wild.........

Posts: 1106 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

JOE
First Class Passenger
Member # 3708

posted 04-26-2003 11:55 AM

Here is my idea to modify the Indy for Freestyle Cruising. You can turn the connector between the Orchid and Hibiscus Dining Room into a Cagney's Steakhouse, similar to the Horizons Italian Restaraunt on the Norwegain Sun and the Kahilli Restaraunt on the Pride of Aloha. Then you can ripout cabins 322, 324, 326, 328, and 332 to make room for a Jeffersons Bistro Restaraunt. Also, the Health Club, and Confrence Center will be removed and replaced with extra cabins. The Aloha deck, will move the Hospital and replace it with a Library. Two Gift Shops Amidships will be replaced with the hospital. The Cabins on Aloha Deck Aft will be expanded so the new Ohana Deck Pool can be accomadated. These might have private lanais installed. On Ohana deck, the swimming pool will be moved to the aft end. The Ohana lounge will be a Garden Cafe Buffet which is expanded over the old Pool. The Ohana Buffet will be turned into a Bar Central, or a Champagne and CigaR Bar done in a nice art deco. The Kamma'aina Deck will be expanded to the new pool area. The Constitution Lounge will be moved over the new buffet, and will be transformed into a Cabaret. The new space above will install a Diner on one side and an Italian Restaraunt on the other end/ or a Cagney's Steak House. The current Photo Gallery will be removed and replaced with an expanded interior promenade. The Kama'aina Lounge will be turned into a Shopping Gallery. The decks above Kamma'aina will be rebuilt. Also, the old cinema deep in the ship will be replaced with an indoor pool.

[ 07-11-2004: Message edited by: JOE ]

Posts: 484 | From: Patterson, NJ | Registered: Mar 2003 | IP: Logged

JOE
First Class Passenger
Member # 3708

posted 04-26-2003 12:09 PM

The inside cabins 5, 6, 9, an 14 will be expanded into the outside cabins. The Outside cabins will have balconies added onto them. 6 new cabins will be added in where was once the outside bar. This will add 32 balcony cabins on Sun Deck.Along with the 16 new balcony cabins on Aloha deck. This will bring the cabin total up to 48 so far. With the 20 cabins on Boat deck with 16 new ines. This will add 36 balcony cabins making it 84 balcony cabins. 6 cabins on Boat deck pus 34 new cabins will make 124 baclony cabins. Woohoo. The Indy can make New England Cruises in the summer from her birthplace in Boston and Winter cruises from Ft Lauderdale in the winter. I was thinking of regular carribean cruises plus Ketairio1s plan. I will have ideas for the Big Us DEPLOYMENT soon.

[ 07-11-2004: Message edited by: JOE ]

Posts: 484 | From: Patterson, NJ | Registered: Mar 2003 | IP: Logged

JOE
First Class Passenger
Member # 3708

posted 04-26-2003 12:10 PM

Sorry about the two messages. There wasn't enough space.

Posts: 484 | From: Patterson, NJ | Registered: Mar 2003 | IP: Logged

Keitaro1
First Class Passenger
Member # 3567

posted 04-26-2003 12:21 PM

JOE,

Were you talking about my earlier BIG U deployment plan or the NORWEGIAN STAR's plan? Either way, glad to here you like it. BTW, I like your big plan to "rebulid" the INDY. Maybe you could send this proposal to NCL on top of the one you sent about BIG U . Do you know where I can find deck plans on the INDY so I can see exactly where all those places are located?

Posts: 98 | From: Washington State | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

Commodore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1575

posted 04-26-2003 01:50 PM

Yes Joe, your Horizons idea is the best one for the Indy I've heard so far. Please send it to NCL it is really really good.

Posts: 1106 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Commodore
First Class Passenger
Member # 1575

posted 04-26-2003 01:52 PM

I think I've formulated the perfect Big U route. NY to Key West(one of my favourite American ports) St. Croix, and St. Thomas. All U.S. stops. The trip would be 7 or 8 day.

Posts: 1106 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

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