"NORWAY Rumblings
August 13: As the NORWAY (ex FRANCE) sits anchored in the haze off Pt. Klang, Malaysia, rumors have begun to rumble once again about the 44 year old ship. Apparently, her turbines are still dismantled, making her imminent use as an active, albeit slowed-down cruise or casino ship in the region unlikely. Further, contacts in the region have reported inspections by had been undertaken and that there was a possibility the ship could be towed to Goa, India in the next few weeks."

Well, seems that she is going for scrap anyway..."14 Indian scrap merchants "!

Seems that NCL had this planned all along and now that she is on the other side of the world its easier to get rid of her quickly.

It is quiet obvious that shipping companies now want new larger ships with a high number of passengers on board which can be operated at the minimum of costs.

Diesel engined ships fit this profile and it looks as if the days of steam engined passenger ships being used for cruising is coming to a close.

[ 08-15-2005: Message edited by: Neil Whitmore ( Bob ) ]

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Originally posted by Neil Whitmore ( Bob ):
If the latest reports on the ss Norway prove to be correct it starts one thinking about what plans NCL / Star Cruises may have for the ss United States and the ss Independence.

It is quiet obvious that shipping companies now want new larger ships with a high number of passengers on board which can be operated at the minimum of costs.

Diesel engined ships fit this profile and it looks as if the days of steam engined passenger ships being used for cruising is coming to a close.

[ 08-15-2005: Message edited by: Neil Whitmore ( Bob ) ]

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If NORWAY ends up at the scrap yard I will be disappointed, but in some ways it's better then lingering and floundering as some half-schemed Asian casino boat. It might be time to let this liner die, as she has had a very long and fruitful life. I would rather not see her end up like ORIANA or QUEEN ELIZABETH.

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Originally posted by Italianliners:
From Maritime Matters:

"NORWAY Rumblings
August 13: As the NORWAY (ex FRANCE) sits anchored in the haze off Pt. Klang, Malaysia, rumors have begun to rumble once again"

Italianliners

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France/Norway has had a remarkable career. But she has had her day. Forget the idiotic casino crap. Scrap her and get it done with.

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Originally posted by Brian_O:
Geez! Haven't we had enough of the NCL conspiracy and lies nonsense concerning Norway in the last 2 years? Instead of knocking NCL for getting rid of a 43 year-old ship, wouldn't it be better to thank them for giving an out-of-work liner that was unsuited to cruising a 23-year new lease on life and leave it at that?

France/Norway has had a remarkable career. But she has had her day. Forget the idiotic casino crap. Scrap her and get it done with.

Brian

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Well said, Brian! Most of us dearly loved the FRANCE/NORWAY, but it's her time to go. Might as well pick a fight with the airlines for not using Super Constellations or DC7s any more!

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What can you do with an old ship that need zillions to make her legally seaworthy?

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Im not saying the ship has to sail again. But like zillions of people are saying: to make her a hotel and tourist attraction like the Queen Mary. Sure it will take alot of money. But if everyone works together, maybe we can just pull it off. We just got to pray to the Lord and hope that the liner is saved

[ 08-15-2005: Message edited by: Cruise Lover ]

The Queen Mary is only having problems now because of Management and lease issues and they didnt do what they could do with the Norway as she is newer and has many things the QM never had!

The QM was never a casino ship and her accomodation is older and she had too many renos done to her and alterations!

[ 08-16-2005: Message edited by: steeplechase ]

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Originally posted by Linerdan:
Anyone who is a regular reader to these boards will not be surprised about the news on M/Matters.

Seems that NCL had this planned all along and now that she is on the other side of the world its easier to get rid of her quickly.

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Indeed...

Too sad and frustrating, but probably unavoidable.
Words are missing to describe how I feel.

Time for me to release this little movie:
"Souvenir de FRANCE"

[ 08-16-2005: Message edited by: Vaccaro ]

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Originally posted by DAMBROSI:

Grant it, the new liners are HUGE...to me too HUGE and they want to build BIGGER????? What for?? There is so much tonnage out there, they'll NEVER get to fill all of the passenger rooms.

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I've heard this comment over the past 30 years since I've been in the cruise industry, when no-one thought they could fill the 37,000 ton TROPICALE, and so on. The fact is that these huge ships are always sailing full--quite a few sailings are already sold out for next year!

I understand your point, and I do agree with you personally. But the reality is that these big new ships with all the "bells and whistles" create more demand, and they do sell out!

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Originally posted by Vaccaro:
Time for me to release this little movie:
"Souvenir de FRANCE"

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I don't know what to say.. that is aboslutely fabulous and amazing! captivating at the way through. Thank you so much. Must have taken weeks to just put that together from all your images!

The thing I resent is that they (including apparently France) have to DISAPPEAR.

PAssengerships/liners are among the greatest(biggest) manmade objects, and certainly the most beautiful, a real testimony to human genius, creativity and talent, but what do we got after 165 years of motorised (as opposed to sail) international important passenger ships : SS Great Britain, Doulos, Queen Mary, SSUS, Constitution, and that is about it..., with only Great Britain more or less safe.

I don't want France/Norway to go to Alang, to have a "dignified" end. With a slowly decaying pension, there is always the hope something happens as with the Great Britain, which was miraculously saved after decades as an almost completely rotten and decayed hulk.