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»	Cruise Talk » Ocean Liners and Classic Cruise Ships » Major announcement about the Big U coming...

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Topic: Major announcement about the Big U coming...

Joe at PwC
First Class Passenger
Member # 225

posted 05-15-2000 09:43 PM

I just heard today through the email grapevine that there will be a major announcement regarding the future of the legendary SS United States. This announcement will be made in a press conference to be held this Friday at 12:30PM (EST). The general consensus is that the vessel has been sold, but to whom is unknown at this time, as are any intentions for the usage or (God forbid!) destruction of the ship.

Let's hope the announcement brings good news.

Posts: 385 | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

jake14
First Class Passenger
Member # 602

posted 05-15-2000 10:38 PM

i find this on web site
A press conference to announce new efforts for saving the SS UNITED STATES will be held this Friday (May 19, 2000, 12:30 p.m.) in the shadow of the giant super liner at Pier 82 in Philadelphia, PA. It is expected that the announcement will center on plans that would lead to refurbishment of the vessel in the Philadelphia area and for returning the SS UNITED STATES to service at sea. High ranking public officials and Edward Cantor, owner of the Big U, will attend the conference. This press conference is open to the public and will be held at ship side.

Posts: 136 | From: susanville ca us | Registered: May 99 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 05-16-2000 06:12 AM

Wow.."returning the SS united states to service at sea"! Can I book my stateroom now?

Lets hope that my excitement does not prove to be premature!

Happy days - The big U, in the 1960's!

[This message has been edited by Malcolm (edited 05-16-2000).]

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

Barryboat
First Class Passenger
Member # 33

posted 05-16-2000 11:40 AM

Malcolm, GREAT PICTURE! We'll see what that press conference reveals....

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

Gripsholm
First Class Passenger
Member # 1185

posted 05-16-2000 12:34 PM

Sounds like very good news. Hope we don´t have to be disapointed again...
Gripsholm

Posts: 24 | From: Stockholm, Sweden | Registered: Mar 2000 | IP: Logged

Patrick
First Class Passenger
Member # 364

posted 05-16-2000 03:37 PM

I´m very curious too about what´s going to happen. Will it be a definite deal this time or just another try to make something out of this ship which later will fail again ???
I wish all the best for this beautiful liner and hope it will turn out positive !

Posts: 1680 | From: OSC Luxembourg | Registered: Nov 98 | IP: Logged

DAMBROSI
First Class Passenger
Member # 100

posted 05-16-2000 03:42 PM

YIPPEEE!!!!!!!! Geno-R, get your
paint ready!!!!!! I hope we don't get
let down again.

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

Joe at PwC
First Class Passenger
Member # 225

posted 05-16-2000 04:53 PM

It just occurred to me that when I was flying back home from South Carolina a couple of months ago, I looked down when we were over Philadelphia, and sure enough, I could see her from 22,000'! That was an unusual experience.

Posts: 385 | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Rex
First Class Passenger
Member # 1113

posted 05-16-2000 05:39 PM

That hull was built to last forever. She is still of some use. I hope this is the real thing and not some pipe dream....I will be praying.

Posts: 1413 | From: Philadelphia PA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 05-16-2000 05:55 PM

I really hope it is good news this time too! But I'm not going to buy red paint yet, I don't want to jinx things.

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Joe at PwC
First Class Passenger
Member # 225

posted 05-17-2000 09:24 AM

Here's a message I just received from Mike Alexander, creator of the ss-united-states.com site. I say, if you can go, GO by any means necessary! I, unfortunately, cannot attend due to the relatively short notice and the fact that I took two days off last week.

Friday in Philadelphia. 11:00 am

Hello!

One of the most asked questions I get about the SS UNITED STATES is, "Can
I go see it?"

Yes!

This Friday at 11:00 am. A press conference at ship side will be held to announce new efforts on behalf of the Big U.

This event is significant in many ways. First, you can go. This unusual open event will give you the opportunity to get closer to the ship. Access to the Pier 82 area will be allowed beginning at 11:00 am. Secondly, the announcement itself will signal new developments and interest in the SS UNITED STATES. And finally, high ranking public
officials will be on hand along with the ships owner, Ed Cantor. The full details of the announcement are unknown to me, but reading between the lines it appears that interest at a local, state and national level
may be taking a new form.

I have to tell you that I strongly believe that it is very important for there to be a good turnout of SS UNITED STATES supporters. If you can attend, I encourage you to do so. If you cannot, I encourage you to think of someone you know in the area that can attend or promote the event to others. Contact them and invite them, encourage them to take their family, friends and/or associates and co-workers.

Hopefully the local media will pick up on the "Open to the Public" aspect of this and encourage Philadelphia and Tri-State residents to go see the monumental SS UNITED STATES close up and learn about this gem in their back yard. But, if not - perhaps then you can help by spreading the word as best as you can.

Regards,

Mike Alexander
mike@ss-united-states.com

Web Site: http://ss-united-states.com

Specifics: Press Conference at the SS UNITED STATES
When: Friday, May 19, 2000
Time: Gates open at 11:00 am, Press Conference to begin at
12:30 pm
Where: Pier 82 in Philadelphia

This event is open to the public.

Shortly following the press conference access will be restricted and the area secured, so you are advised to arrive at 11:00 if you wish to enjoy some time with the SS UNITED STATES. Bring your camera.

You can get more information and directions to the pier from the ss-united-states.com web site. The site has been updated. Click on News for more information, and/or click on Visiting the Ship for directions.

[This message has been edited by Joe at PwC (edited 05-17-2000).]

Posts: 385 | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 05-17-2000 02:54 PM

Puh-lease don't hate me! The SS United States is a nice enough ship, but is she really that great? I think SS Norway is much more beautiful, especially with those huge funnels making the Big U seem bloated, and as Dr. Evil once said, "She ain't all that and a bag of potato chips".

Posts: 763 | From: Belfast, Ireland | Registered: Aug 99 | IP: Logged

Joe at PwC
First Class Passenger
Member # 225

posted 05-17-2000 04:31 PM

Well, in all fairness, I suppose the funnels are a bit oversized, but aside from them, the ship's got great lines. But I will reiterate that her interior left much to be desired.

And it's not even an appearance issue. The issue is that she set a world record. You can't say that for the Norway. This whole situation is not about saving a ship that happens to look nice. It's about saving a milestone in naval engineering.

[This message has been edited by Joe at PwC (edited 05-17-2000).]

Posts: 385 | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

geno-r
First Class Passenger
Member # 931

posted 05-17-2000 04:58 PM

Hey you need big funnels for all the exhaust since she goes so fast

Posts: 549 | From: Mt. Pocono,Pa. Usa | Registered: Nov 1999 | IP: Logged

Rex
First Class Passenger
Member # 1113

posted 05-18-2000 08:45 AM

I LOVE her funnels! They should stand out and make a statement! Most people can tell a ship by her funnels anyway! Look at the NORWAY! The first thing you notice about her is her stacks (despite the 1990 rebuild)and the massive flutes! Look at Carnival's distinctive winged design. Smokestacks help to identify a ship, they are part of a ship's personality. Do you think anyone would care about Royal Caribbean's ships if they did not have the stacks w/the bar/lounges in them? The Big U's stacks give her a powerful and distinctive appearance. They are not supposed to be "beautiful", but imposing looking. They give her the appearance of great strength. You'll see in my sketch that I left her stacks pretty much alone, except for the paint job.

[This message has been edited by Rex (edited 05-18-2000).]

Posts: 1413 | From: Philadelphia PA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

CarnivalFantasyClassShips
First Class Passenger
Member # 1282

posted 05-20-2000 11:07 AM

Paddy:
Yes the Norway is so beutiful.
But so is the SS United States.
Umm.........people just wanted to know..
Whats this about buying red paint?

Posts: 15 | From: Miami FL USA | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 05-20-2000 12:39 PM

I think that the SS United States oversized funnnels add to her attractiveness! I like the way they have rounded tops.

Strangely enough, I do not really like the QE2's oversized funnel.

We all have valid opinions...even Paddy!

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

Chalk Dust
First Class Passenger
Member # 1272

posted 05-21-2000 10:06 AM

Did I misread something? Did anybody post what was announced at the press conference on May 19th? I am curious about this ship.
--oops-- just now read that the press conference was cancelled--

[This message has been edited by Chalk Dust (edited 05-21-2000).]

Posts: 47 | From: Flower Mound, Texas, U.S.A. | Registered: May 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 05-21-2000 11:00 AM

Welcome aboard Chalkdust. Interesting name, are you a teacher?

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

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