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Topic: Best classic liner

Italian Cruiser
First Class Passenger
Member # 1684

posted 11-21-2000 09:43 AM

Which is the best classic liner for you?I think that it's the Norway,a magnificant ship wonderfully converted into a cruiseliner(I have heard that the parent company Star cruises would convert it into a casino ship in Hong Kong).My second favourite one is the Rotterdam V.I don't like the QE2(the most overrated cruise liner in the world).

Posts: 887 | From: Orvieto (Italy) | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

Patrick
First Class Passenger
Member # 364

posted 11-21-2000 01:37 PM

My favorite one is MAXIM GORKIY.
But it´s for sure that there are lots of beautiful old liners around:
CARONIA
BLACK WATCH
NORWEGIAN STAR
HYUNDAI KEUMGANG
MARCO POLO
QE2
NORWAY
REMBRANDT
ALBATROS.....

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

PauloMestre
First Class Passenger
Member # 1613

posted 11-21-2000 05:26 PM

In my opinion I have to say it's the CARONIA. Even though she's been updated and refurbished (ading of the dreaded balconies) she still is the most beatifull classic liner afloat.
The Norway/France suffered too much and lost some of the original charm.

Regards

Paulo Mestre

[This message has been edited by PauloMestre (edited 11-21-2000).]

Posts: 311 | From: Alhos Vedros, Setubal, Portugal | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 11-21-2000 05:37 PM

I'd vote for the Norway because of her long and slender hull and art deco style interiors - but I do agree with Paulo, she has suffered at the hands of NCL, but I'm also greatful to them for saving her!

Patrick, you have great taste in ships!

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

Paddy
First Class Passenger
Member # 357

posted 11-21-2000 06:06 PM

If I was to take a cruise on a classic liner, it would be Norway (if Freestyle was abolished), and then Rembrandt (if it was operated by a line who understood what a jem they had and what a niche they could fill), and failing that QE2 (only if the others aren't viable). I have to say I would have loved to have gone on the old Canberra, may she rest in pieces (tehehe).

Paddy.

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

Jesse C
First Class Passenger
Member # 1678

posted 11-21-2000 11:28 PM

What a coincidence. Years ago, before i knew there alkready was a Canberra, I made up a cruise ship Canberra, that got shipwrecked and sank. She only had liferafts, but many people died because most of them were torn.

Now, I know there already was an SS Canberra.

Happy Thanksgiving,
Jesse

Posts: 244 | From: Houston, Texas, United States of America | Registered: Nov 2000 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 11-22-2000 12:40 AM

I like to think of ships for their contribution to the advancement of the art, science and design of ships.
One can bleed at the cutting edge. There are many good ships, that are not radical, but evolutionary and extra refinement of the state of art for time.

I give credit for those that took the risks.
That sail into uncharted waters.

Mauri/Lusitania-all turbine drive, hull design advances, first to be tank tested during design phase.

Vaterland/Leviathan- ugly ship, but the first with split uptake, bi level lifeboats to be copied for Rotterdam V. It was a result of the visionary Albert Ballin

Georgic/BritannicII- first use of Diesel engine in a 'large' ship.

Empress of Britain & Ile de France-
No new ground in technology, but revolutionary new interior design. This is what the passengers see and experience.

Bremen/Europa-one of the first to use the bulbous bow. Clean superstructure, and new Art Deco interiors.

Normandie- Bremen/Europa and Ile De France blazed trails for Normandie. N took the best from the 3 of them. She embodied the best of design, and engineering.

Refreshing to do away with the bomabstic robber baron castle interiors of the Edwardian/Kaiser era.

SS United States- Speed, safety, aesthetics, maintained beautiful interiors w/o excess decoration and w/o use of woods.

Independance/Constitution-
Beautiful exterior and interior by Henry Dreyfuss. Integration of counter stern in modern liner.

Rotterdam V:-) - Magnificent interior design; floating art museum, equalization of classes, bold exterior.

Canberra:-) - Revolutionary exterior design,and advanced propulsion system. Nice interior design, although broke little new ground.

Honorable mention: Good ships that were refinements of the previous best, but broke no new ground. Sheer size and speed is not a factor.

Aquitania
Brittanic {corrected mistakes of her sisters]
Columbus
Rex
Conte Di Savoia
Queen Mary
Queen Elizabeth
Niew Amsterdam
SS America
Gulio Cesare-Andrea Doria-Christoforo Columbo
SS France
Gallileo/Marconi
Rafaello/Michelangelo
QE2
Pacific/Island Princess
Royal Viking Star/Sea/Sky

Ships beyond 1973 have to stand the test of time

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

Aussie1
First Class Passenger
Member # 25

posted 11-22-2000 02:18 AM

If the vote is for the best classic liner 'still in service' then my nomination is P&O's almost forgotten liner Victoria.(Ex Kungsholm of 1966.) She really is a gem, much the same size as Malcolm's beloved Black Watch but with a really classic liner interior. (Gleaming real wood panelling, brass and class.) Malcolm why not try Victoria next time and compare her to Black Watch. Many passengers I met on Victoria this last June had also sailed on Black Watch and most, but not all, prefered Victoria. Victoria won't be with us for much longer, enjoy her while you still can.

Posts: 493 | From: Sydney,NSW, Australia | Registered: Sep 99 | IP: Logged

blf49
First Class Passenger
Member # 502

posted 11-28-2000 03:51 PM

I still vote for the France... and while I wish NCL was less 21 Century with the renovations, I tip my hat to them for keeping her afloat. We sailed Barcelona-Miami a few years back...it was great.

Second is for the Connie/Indy twins. great Dreyfuss work. And one is still going strong. catch her fast, though. I figure she'll be leaving soon.

Posts: 56 | From: Seattle, WA, US | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 11-30-2000 11:16 AM

My favorite is the Rotterdam V, VERY close second is the Canberra [not as nice a cruise experience, but not ship's fault].

Both were the best execution of post-war ocean-liner innovation.

I am sialing the Norway this April and will evaluate then

How I wish the Normandie were now a hotel/museum like the Queen Mary.

Lets hope for the SSUS

I don't like the QE2(the most overrated cruise liner in the world).

Never sailed her but I have heard from many she is overpriced and overrated. I would not turn her down if the price was right. It would be more fun if she had her original 1966 London Mod/Austin Powers interior

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

Rex
First Class Passenger
Member # 1113

posted 11-30-2000 12:03 PM

The funny thing about the NORWAY is that when CRUISE TRAVEL magazine showed the artist's conception of what she'd look like with the two additional decks back in 1990, she still looked beautiful. That was because the two decks had rounded corners that were in sync with the ship's original superstructure.

But when people saw the real thing, they were disappointed - the two new decks were somewhat squared off and lowered the profile of her neat funnels.

But then, what ship really ends up looking like the artist's conception anyway? Or houses or cars for that matter?

[This message has been edited by Rex (edited 11-30-2000).]

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

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