Welcome to Cruise Talk the Internet's most popular discussion forum dedicated to cruising. Stop by Cruise Talk anytime to post a message or find out what your fellow passengers and industry insiders are saying about a particular ship, cruise line or destination.
>>> Reader Reviews >>> CruisePage.com Photo Gallery >>> Join Our Cruise Club.
Latest News...Today, the newly refreshed Queen Elizabeth has arrived to the Port of Seattle for the first time to begin a season of highly anticipated Alaskan voyages. Cunard's Queens have embodied the pinnacle of British luxury travel for 185 years, and now Queen Elizabeth will homeport in Seattle for the first time, bringing Cunard's renowned White Star Service to the region for two exclusive seasons...
Latest News...Azamara Cruises, known for its Destination Immersion and industry-leading number of late-nights and overnights in port, is giving travelers a chance to see the world in an entirely new light — moonlight. While most cruise lines sail away before sunset, Azamara Cruises is just getting started. "Guests will enjoy more time – and more local culture – beneath the night sky in...
Latest News...Regent Seven Seas Cruises, the world's leading ultra luxury cruise line, has once again raised the bar with the reveal of the Skyview Regent Suite — the largest all-inclusive, ultra luxury cruise ship suite in history. Stunning renderings and an immersive fly-through video showcase this extraordinary two-level suite, which will sit atop the brand's newest ship, Seven Seas Prestige....
For instance, an American-run ship catering almost exclusively for the American market, but flying the Liberian flag? If the shooting starts, whose side are they obliged to be on?
It's been going on for years!
Take Carnival, or Disney. They have no "heritage" outside the US so no reason to register in any European country (and would likely not even be ALLOWED to). The US register is simply NOT practical. They really have no choice but to use Panama or the Bahamas.
Note that Carnival's Italians ships (Costa) are registered in Italy, their British ships (Cunard, P&O, Princess, etc.) are registeredin Britain (or Bermuda or Gibraltar), their Dutch ships (HAL) are (mostly) registered in the Netherlands, but their American ships (Carnival) are registered elsewhere. Why? Because unlike many other countries, it simply isn't practical to flag here in the US! Unless you need the US flag for coastwise trade, there is no sensible reason to use it. Doing so would be a TERRIBLE business decision.
Regardless, ALL of them are subject to the same economic pressures which means that if a shipowner doesn't like the way you survey his ship, he can change Class anytime until he finds one he does like. Any Class surveyor who started holding up ships would be looking for another posting pretty quick.And that is where the importance of a tough Port State Control comes in. They can hold unsafe ships until they are in compliance, and it's this holding that forces owners to get things done before costs skyrocket.
....peter
[ 07-05-2003: Message edited by: cncservo ]
Ultimate Bulletin BoardTM 6.1.0.3
More Vacation & Cruise Specials...