Cruise Talk: Reviving Old Cruise Lines

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Author

Topic: Reviving Old Cruise Lines

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 08-27-2006 05:57 PM

OK here is a bit of wish-fulfilment. Of all the cruise lines that have gone out of business which one would you restart if you could, and why? What would be carried over form the past and what would you change?

I would restart Sitmar, because I ahve always liked their names (except for Fairsky which I always misread as sounding like Trotsky).

I'd launch the 90,000 ton superliners Fairweather, Fairlady, Fairway and Fairport. They'd come complete with teak wraparound proms, teak deck furniture, a predominantly Italian and exclusively European crew, wonderful grissini and pasta and cappuccino and intelligent entertainment as opposed to tits and feathers.

What would your line be?

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

eroller
First Class Passenger
Member # 1649

posted 08-27-2006 06:49 PM

For me without question it would be the Italian Line. Those fabulous Italian ships of the 30's-60's could not be beat. Their streamlined hulls were stunning, the onboard atmosphere was one of a kind, the decor was pure Italian minimalist, the crews were handsome and charming, and the food was to die for. Add to this a sunshine route to NY, Australia, or South America from Italy and what more could you ask for? As an added bonus, the ships had wonderful tiered after decks lined with swimming pools and cushioned teak loungers. Heaven!

Ernie

Posts: 7046 | From: Miami, Florida USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

J.S.S.Normandie
First Class Passenger
Member # 6253

posted 08-27-2006 08:14 PM

Well as you can imagine I would choose the French Line. They're ships were always high style, elegant, tasteful, and the grandest afloat. Onboard you would find the fabulous French food, and incredible art. I would hope for them to build a Normandie II(actually it would be the third Normandie i think). A modern ship designed to look like a 21st century ocean liner. She would be longer than the QM2 and Freedom OTS at 250,000 tons and a length of 1,500 ft. Inside, following in French Line tradition, high style modern interiors. Perhaps even a bit of artwork from the origional Normandie and some France fittings worked in.

As with Cunard, she should be a multi class ship offering very high and low end accomodation.

OF course she would have to be the finest ship on the sea, complete with a nautical museum, aquarium, 5 star dining, etc. Outside, all teak decks, and 2 or three elegant funnels.

[ 08-27-2006: Message edited by: J.S.S.Normandie ]

Posts: 1197 | From: Massachusetts where the Brittania was trapped! | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

andyc
First Class Passenger
Member # 5235

posted 08-28-2006 09:21 AM

Nobody suggesting Airtours?

What a surprise!

Posts: 119 | From: Southport UK | Registered: Dec 2004 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 08-28-2006 10:01 AM

I miss the old Premier Cruises. Classic liners at good prices. Service was good considering the prices paid. If Mickey Arison could make a profit from Premier he would have bought the line.

quote:
Originally posted by andyc:
Nobody suggesting Airtours?
What a surprise!

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

lasuvidaboy
First Class Passenger
Member # 4527

posted 08-28-2006 02:41 PM

Being from the US west coast, I would like to see a return of the Matson Line service to the Hawaiian Islands. I don't think there is much of a market for the 4/5 day crossing year today, but it would be an great vacation option or for people who do not care to fly or simply want a sea voyage. My family did those trips on many occasions and unlike most liner operations, they were extremely popular up until the end.

Posts: 7654 | From: Hollywood Hills/L.A. | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

dgk_kos
First Class Passenger
Member # 3519

posted 08-28-2006 03:47 PM

SUN LINE off course, with their famous Stella's.
STELLA SOLARIS
STELLA OCEANIS
STELLA MARIS

Posts: 12 | From: greece | Registered: Dec 2002 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 08-28-2006 03:56 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dgk_kos:
SUN LINE off course, with their famous Stella's.
STELLA SOLARIS
STELLA OCEANIS
STELLA MARIS

Except for the Greek spirit, Oceania has captured the format and ambience of the Sun Lines.
Me: Stella Oceanis Dec 1974

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

Fairsky
First Class Passenger
Member # 781

posted 08-28-2006 05:39 PM

I have a dream...

MSC, one of the world's largest shipping companies, and V.Ships, one of the world's largest ship management companies and the former owners of Sitmar, merge their operations.

MSC Cruises is reorganized and renamed "Sitmar Cruises." The line's style and italian flavor would be the perfect resurrection of the old Sitmar Cruises. Ships names:

FairWind
FairSea
FairStar
FairSky
FairCloud
FairIsle
FairSun

I know, its just a fantasy. But stranger things have happened in this industry.

The other line I would revive is Royal Viking Line.

Posts: 1685 | From: Chicago, Illinois | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-28-2006 07:42 PM

For me it would have to be Swedish American
Line.....now for me, that was truly deluxe cruising
at its finest. I only made three trips with them: two
on Kungsholm of '66 and one on Gripsholm of '57.
I wish I had made more.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Maasdam
First Class Passenger
Member # 3858

posted 08-29-2006 04:43 AM

Royal Rotterdam Lloyd. Thene recreating the line voyages to the East. Exclusiff luxery voyages frome Rotterdam to Indonesia, Australia and around the world. Ships off 25.000/35.000 grt And ussing the old name system of the RRL, names as Insulinde, Indrapeora, Dempo, Baloeran etc. Passenger rate 500/750.

Greetings Ben.

Posts: 4695 | From: Rotterdam home of the tss. Rotterdam. | Registered: May 2003 | IP: Logged

steeplechase
First Class Passenger
Member # 4056

posted 08-29-2006 06:01 AM

Commodore Cruise Lines is my choice. You head down to New Orleans around Marti Grais enjoy the city and a great little cruise ship Enchanted Isle (of course she is gone) with a great crew. Too bad they tryed to expand probaly would still be around as the Isle sailed full nearly every week.

Posts: 663 | From: elkton maryland | Registered: Aug 2003 | IP: Logged

Pascal
First Class Passenger
Member # 5510

posted 08-29-2006 09:29 AM

CGT, of course. It would be sort of French equivalent to Cunard, with regular transatlantic crossings and ships named Île de France, Normandie, Bretagne... The vessels would be billingual and and destined to customers on the both ide of the ocean. The home ports would be Le Havre, Marseille and New York.

Posts: 1371 | From: Aix en Provence | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged

Salaison
First Class Passenger
Member # 4722

posted 08-29-2006 03:55 PM

Chandris Lines "Amerikanis"
Regent Cruise Line "Regent Sun".....Miss them!!

Posts: 444 | From: St. Lucia--The Sleeping Leviathan | Registered: May 2004 | IP: Logged

WhiteStar
First Class Passenger
Member # 2740

posted 08-29-2006 08:18 PM

Without a doubt, Royal Cruise Line. While I always thought their food was OK, the service and attention to detail was of the highest standard. Miles above Royal Viking, Celebrity, Princess and NCL.

I'd sail on the Crown, Royal or Golden Odyssey tomorrow if they had the same Greek crew and ownership.

Posts: 668 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Jan 2002 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 08-30-2006 07:23 AM

If I may have a second one to be reborn....I'd like it to be Nowegian America Line as it was before it became Norwegian American Cruises. It was just one step off Swedish American Line. At least we still have the last two ships still sailing as the Saga sisters. From the pictures I've seen they have never looked better. The do now have the added pax capacity which they didn't have under NAL. At that time they were limited to 450 pax on Sagafjord and 500 on Vistafjord which may well have contributed strongly to their withdrawal.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 08-30-2006 09:41 AM

quote:
Originally posted by andyc:
Nobody suggesting Airtours? What a surprise!

Well Airtours (MyTravel) has been reborn in several guises. Thomson are probably picking up much of their original passengers with Thomson Destiny (ex Sunbird). Arielle (ex Carousel) operated by Transocean tours will be offering some cruises from the UK next year.

Airtours were VERY popular with the British public, just look at the amount of Readers Reviews we have, which are all mainly very positive:See Here

The odd thing is that few Cruisetalkers admitted to being fans (apart from Paddy and Sread) yet people posted all of those reviews.

[ 08-30-2006: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 08-30-2006 12:54 PM

I did Airtours for Christmas on Sunbird a few years ago and LOVED it. I have always liked the ship, we prebooked the biggest deluxe room and the shows - in particular Galleria - were astounding. Including Premium Flights it was less than £1000.00 - what's not to like?

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 08-30-2006 01:12 PM

Eastern Steamship Line, Dolphin Cruise Line and Commodore.

Posts: 2554 | From: Florida, USA, Where the Legend SS NORWAY sailed from. Moving back to FL next yr. | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

BR BOB
First Class Passenger
Member # 4554

posted 08-30-2006 01:17 PM

Yes....Dolphin Cruise Line
Dolphin IV
Seabreeze
Ocean Breeze
They were full of great staff and they offered Apollo Ship Chandlers catering....great value line.

Posts: 78 | From: New York City | Registered: Mar 2004 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-30-2006 06:59 PM

Lloyd Adriatico and the Royal Viking Line - just to reuse the logo.

[ 08-30-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Pascal
First Class Passenger
Member # 5510

posted 08-30-2006 07:25 PM

And Paquet too. The brand is currently owned by Carnival. Perhaps they will come out with something one day.

Posts: 1371 | From: Aix en Provence | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged

Ernst
First Class Passenger
Member # 5369

posted 08-30-2006 09:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Pascal:
And Paquet too. The brand is currently owned by Carnival. Perhaps they will come out with something one day.

Indeed - it would be easy to relaunch this brand - e.g. as a french divison of Costa.

Posts: 9746 | From: Eindhoven | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

Pascal
First Class Passenger
Member # 5510

posted 08-31-2006 05:02 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Ernst:
Indeed - it would be easy to relaunch this brand - e.g. as a french divison of Costa.

I agree, but in a recent interview Georges Azouze, CEO of Costa France, was asked this question and said they had no intention to do so.

Posts: 1371 | From: Aix en Provence | Registered: Mar 2005 | IP: Logged

steeplechase
First Class Passenger
Member # 4056

posted 08-31-2006 06:22 AM

I cruised Carousel with Sun tours and again anoth top 5 for me the ship and people were great, I just read Ben Sloans 2004 Africa cruise pretty funny. Wonder why this misrable guy goes anywhere?

Posts: 663 | From: elkton maryland | Registered: Aug 2003 | IP: Logged

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This topic is comprised of pages: 1 2

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