I called my T/A yesterday regarding the
final voyage of the Norway. She is
calling me back with the particulars
on Monday. She did mention that there were
a few rumours going around, but was not
sure about the transatlantic crossing.
Anyway, if it happens as reported, we
will be on it !!

I have read ( on this forum ) that a few
people have booked, but did not give
any info on the itinerary.

Start saving Malcolm, because I know you
would not want to miss it. Right ?

Best regards,

It will make a great CruiseTalk 'group' cruise! Maybe Joe can get us all a FANTASTIC discount

Has anyone got any info yet. NCL probably don't even know yet?

By the way, If you don't fly you could take the SS Norway to Southampton and the QE2 back to NY on 22 September

Thanxxx for the info ! Glad that you will
be on the Norway for her final voyage.

I will let you know all about it as soon
as My T/A calls me tomorrow. If you find
out anymore info, then please post ASAP.

Cheers,

DianaD, the Internet is now revealing the weaknesses in Companies information flow! For example, the British NCL web page has NOT yet been updated to feature the Norway's Transatlantic, but the American site has. The NCL office in the UK tell me that they will have detains in ten days time!

Companies now need to think more globally! Why only inform part of the world?

It is really frustrating for us surfers when an 'special deal' is found on the Internet (maybe on a cruise line web site) but does not apply to all countries. A a couple of years ago NCL were offering 2 for 1 on ALL cruises booked early! They did not offer this to non-Americans. The recent 'name the ship contest' was for Americans only. Why? It's meant to be a global village?

And I HOPE they are not into the new corporate "freestyle" nonsense!

The owners' suites appear to be sold out: all other categories shown as available.

My agent advises me that the air prices are not yet set and that it will be possible to board the ship in NYC if you wish to skip the 2 days up from Miami but no reduction in cost is offered. Likewise, it would appear one could disembark in LeHarve a day early but not at all sure. In either case, why?
The per diem costs are relatively high for NCL so might as well enjoy what one is paying for.

I hope the experience will be worth it.

Well I just finished a round or two with
the " ole " T/A today, and this is what
I found out through direct contact with
NCL. Yes there are (at this time) plenty
of good cabins available on the Norway
for her farewell crossing. They have changed
the categories on the Norway and are now
designated as AC, AB, CC, C, DD, D and so
on. We were quoted a figure of $ 2649.00
for cabin S006 on the Sun deck. This is
a penthouse suite with veranda and a square
footage of 308 sq ft. My daughter Katie (12)
is $799.00 regardless of which cabin we stay
in. Port charges are $200.P/P, and insurance
is $189.00.
Another option I have, is to choose a JJ cat
which is forward on the International deck
(large inside) at 220 sq ft. The good thing
is that this cabin is $1732.00 P/P and
insurance is $169.00 P/P.

All in all, not to bad if you consider that
it's only $106.00 P/D for us, and just
$49.00 P/D for my daughter ! Thats an
awful lot of food and entertainment for
16 days. ( not to mention the itinerary )

There are a few issues to consider : (1)
we have not been able to lock in airfare,
(2) September is smack in the middle of
hurricane season, (3) I am not sure I
trust NCL to follow through with this.
They are known for changing or canceling
itinerarys.

Regarding the air, I have heard horror
stories about cruisers being shuttled all
over Europe just to get to the ship.
As for the hurricane, it could get very
interesting. NCL said that we could
board in New york, but the price would be
the same ( why would we want to, it's
the final crossing ) and for this crossing,
starting at the begining is more important.

Anyway, as soon as we get our airfare quote,
I will know if it will be definite thing.

Bostom, the french passengers may wish to depart at Le Harve - rather than finish in Southampton

Folks, f you take the cruise, make sure that you stop over in London for two or three nights! London is only a couple of hours train/bus ride from Southampton. It would be most convenient to fly back home from London's Heathrow or Gatwick Airports. Both can be easily reached by train from Central London. (Luton Airport is a 2-3 hours from London, but is a third possibility?)

Question: Which cabins are not original? I assume that it is those on the uppermost two decks?

Can't imagine they could mess up the return flight from the UK to the US too badly: there's only Heathrow and Gatwick when you get off - intra-European air prices being what they are it'd make no sense to send you on to continental Europe then back to the States as UK-US fares are always cheaper.
My guess is the air from US East Coast will run between $599 and $799 for which you could do as well or better on your own if you're within driving distance of an airport with direct service to/from London.

As for hurricanes, we haven't been seriously impacted in New England since the day Gorbachev was overthrown (Hurricane Bob, 8/91, lost a huge tree at our summer place on Cape Cod) and while it could be a factor, we have a lot more Fall days in New England and Eastern Canada without hurricanes than with 'em.

Work is an issue, but I'll think of something. Work'll still be there when I get back. The NORWAY won't.

Malcolm: anyone can get off at LeHarve and it would make sense to do so if one's ultimate destination was Paris or any other continental destination - otherwise not, as Paris is almost always a higher airfare home for us.

But this isn't "This could be the last time."
This is the LAST TIME one can sail the last great liner built for the North Atlantic ON the North Atlantic. I know the mods by NCL make it a different ship. I know the QE2 still plies the North Atlantic (and love her, but she was built with cruising in mind.) The FRANCE was the glory of an age -the time I came of age - and like old cars of that period, there's something inexplicably special about her we'll not likely see again soon.

Another aspect of this voyage that really appeals to me is that it's essentialy three cruises in one: a US East Coast/Maritimes, a transat, and a British Isles cruise. Any one of these would be good: all three makes it great.

And KBoz, you ID an important point, the per diems - the only rational way to compare costs - are relatively low for what promises to be a really big deal. The most expensive suites, now sold out, are $275 pp per day. The cheapest insides are a bit over $100 per. From my experience, that's dirt cheap.

My fears are a bit different - that after a heavy winter, spring and summer "Farewell" season running full, she'll be in less than stellar shape for the "Final Voyage." Having collected our money, and perhaps thinking that many of the passengers' loyalty to this Grande Dame doesn't translate to NCL/Star's newer offerings, NCL will skimp. Stupid move on their part, IMHO, but a real possibility. I was a teenager but still remember news reports of the Queen Mary's last sad ride to Long Beach in the late 60's. I'd hate to pay a lot of money for a less than super time.

Ay ay ay, I would love to get going on this ship even if not on the final voyage. Its very sad, and she certainly is a beautiful ship. Mayeb they can make a replica of this beauty instead of the wretched Titanic (was she even THAT nice???). Ay.

I can but dream.

I'd love to but am worried about the time away from the office. In theory I get 6 weeks of vacation a year. In practice, taking all of it, particularly in big chunks, is frowned on. If I can lie creatively enough to buy a few more days, sure. London's one of my favorite places to visit: you can smoke, English is widely spoken and Brits like Americans - or are at least polite enough to hide their dislike

A more pressing concern is what to do next month when I land at Gatwick at 8 AM and sail from Southampton in the late afternoon. Cunard's handling the transfers and wondering if you, or anyone else, has any suggestions on how to spend the day. They aren't offering the Ocean Liner Express so going by coach but my British friends here say that's only an hour and a half, two hours tops. So what to do for a couple of hours in Southampton or is it impractical to wait anywhere else but the Ocean Terminal?

Otherwise, anybody know if I'm likely to have enough time to use either the Virgin or Continental lounges to take a shower, etc.?
I can use either - don't know who offers what and/or if they hustle you onto the bus as soon as you grab your luggage.

Any, all ideas appreciated.

There are a number of historic monuments and buildings connected with the Titanic, in Southampton, but they are spread around a bit in parks etc.

This is a recent picture of the South Western Hotel, at Southampton. It originally had it's own station. The 'Boat-Train' stopped off from London at the Hotel, and took the passengers right into the docks, to the ship, some five minutes away. (You can see the hotel in the background of the recent Titanic film - clever, because the set of the dock was actually in mexico!)

Many of the Titanic's fist class passengers stopped at the Hotel, including Andrews, the night before the fateful departure. Unfortunately, it is no longer a hotel - it has been converted to private accomodation.

Nearby also is the building which was the 'White Star' Head Office, as is the 'Grapes' pub, used by the Titanic's crew - a few got so drunk that they missed her departure!

There is a nice Art Deco Hotel called the Polygone (not so near the docks) - it used to be 'the' hotel and was popular with the Queen Mary's Captain and her passengers.

Paddy - My TA knew less than zilch!

[This message has been edited by Draikar (edited 10-19-2000).]

You're a gem: thanks for the picture and describing the nearby area.

I don't sleep much on planes so expect to be half awake all day. Southampton thus looks like enough to be interesting without being overwhelming.

The Titanic stuff would be great - I have a small, but personal, connection to that tragedy. When I was very young (the 4th grade, I think, so about 8 or 9) I interviewed an elderly survivor, Mrs. Anna Futrelle for my school newspaper. She survived but her husband Jacques, a French novelist, went down with the ship. This would have been about 1960 and she was then a very old woman with an ear trumpet who had difficulty hearing my questions.