At the same time, Sitmar Cruises met its demise, again due to high operational costs under the Italian flag. They were absorbed by P.& O. Princess Cruises.

It would have been nice to see Home Lines and Sitmar merge somehow, and keep the Italian cruise operation, but again, it would have been too expensive to operate successfully.

Rich

[ 09-09-2005: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Linerrich:
I believe that Home Lines became a victim of the Italian maritime unions--since they were Italian flag, using Italian nationals, operating costs became prohibitive. I have read that Holland America, when they purchased the last ship HOMERIC in 1988, also acquired the Home Lines name. I know there is more to the story than this; perhaps another member can fill in the details.

At the same time, Sitmar Cruises met its demise, again due to high operational costs under the Italian flag. They were absorbed by P.& O. Princess Cruises.

It would have been nice to see Home Lines and Sitmar merge somehow, and keep the Italian cruise operation, but again, it would have been too expensive to operate successfully.

Rich

[ 09-09-2005: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

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I thought sitmar had different story:

quote:

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Originally posted by Ocean Liners:
When Sitmar ordered to build New ship at Chantiers de L'Atlantique in June 1986, They had ordered Two ships, These ships would be 62,500-ton ships, First ship to be deiverded in the end of 1988 and Second ship (option) in the end of 1989

[ 08-26-2004: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

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However Mr. Vlasov died on November 2nd 1987, Mr. Vlasov's heirs were soon besieged by offers from the famous British owner P&O, to purchase SITMAR.
The lack of leadership in the Vlasov group, implied that SITMAR had to be sold to P&O. on July 28th 1988.

Note: First ship was to be named as Fair Majesty but delivered to P&O/Princess Cruises as Star Princess.
Second ship had option but never built by Chantiers de L'Atlantique.

[ 09-09-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Linerrich:
I believe that Home Lines became a victim of the Italian maritime unions--since they were Italian flag, using Italian nationals, operating costs became prohibitive. I have read that Holland America, when they purchased the last ship HOMERIC in 1988, also acquired the Home Lines name. I know there is more to the story than this; perhaps another member can fill in the details.

At the same time, Sitmar Cruises met its demise, again due to high operational costs under the Italian flag. They were absorbed by P.& O. Princess Cruises.

It would have been nice to see Home Lines and Sitmar merge somehow, and keep the Italian cruise operation, but again, it would have been too expensive to operate successfully.

Rich

[ 09-09-2005: Message edited by: Linerrich ]

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The two latest cruise ships in the Home Lines fleet, Atlantic (currently Msc Melody) and Homeric (currently Costa Europa) weren't Italian registered.

Both ships had an all italian crew, but Atlantic was Liberian flagged, while Homeric was Panamian flagged.

If I remember well Home Lines in its last years had some problems to mantein the very lucrative contract with the Bermudan Governament in order to dock at Bermuda.

Sitmar Cruises and other cruise lines were already involved in an aggressive program of newbuildings.

So my question is: Had Home Lines the finances to start a similar program of newbuildings in order to remain competitive ?

This could explain the sale of the company.

About Sitmar only the previous liners as Castel Verde, Castel Bianco and Castel Felice were registered in Italy.

The ships in the cruise fleet, as Fairsea, Fairwind and Fairsky were under "Flag of Convenience", Liberia if I remember well.

However, Princess Cruises was struggling with no newbuilds on order since the 1984 launch of Royal Princess. They were in danger of being left behind during the fastest period of growth the cruise industry had ever seen.

The death of Boris Vlosov in 1988 provided an opportunity for Princess to catch up to the competition. Vlosov had been the brains and passion behind Sitmar. His heirs, when approached by P&O with a lucrative offer to buy the cruise line along with its three newbuilds, cashed out of the cruise business Boris Vlosov had labored to build into one of the most successful lines in the world.

Overnight Princess more than doubled in capacity with three ships (Fairwind, Fairsea, and Fairsky), and three very large (for that day) newbuilds (Star, Crown, and Regal Princess). The success of Princess Cruises today is really built upon the foundation of Sitmar Cruises.

What happened to Home Lines is what COULD HAVE happend to Princess had they not purchased Sitmar. Home Lines just could not invest the money into newbuilds to compete with Carnival and RCCL. Eventually, lagging behind the competition, they were bought out by HAL.

quote:

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Originally posted by NAL:
In a related topic, does anyone know why HOME
LINES used the "plural" Lines instead of the
singular Line? They were almost unique in this
curious usage........I seem to remember it being
used with another company, but cannot remember
which. Thanks Linerrich for your response.

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There seems to be no rhyme or reason why some steamship companies used Line, or Lines. A quick run-down of companies which used "Lines" plural include: American President Lines, Dollar Steamship Lines, Ellerman Lines, Farrell Lines, Grimaldi-Siosa Lines, Moore-McCormack Lines, Royal Interocean Lines, Royal Mail Lines, United States Lines, and Zim Lines.

And some of today's cruise companies also use either singular or plural. Hard to say why.

Interesting question..

quote:

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Originally posted by Italian Cruiser:

If I remember well Home Lines in its last years had some problems to mantein the very lucrative contract with the Bermudan Governament in order to dock at Bermuda.

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ocean Liners:

In the mid eighties, Home Line had exculsive docking privileges on Front Street in Hamilton Monday through Friday for Atlantic and Homeric(entered service in May 1986).

[ 07-14-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

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In 1984, Holland America sold Veendam to Bermuda Cruise Line,renamed as Bermuda Star.
In 1988, Canada Sta(ex-Volendam) renamed as Queen of Bermuda rejoining sister Bermuda Star.

Chandris Fantasy Cruises offered six day Bermuda cruises on the Amerikanis out of New York in '87 and '88.

Nordic Prince offered seven day cruises with departure on Saturday in 85 then Wenedsday departures to enjoy exculsive docking privilages at Hamilton from friday afternoon till Sunday evening.

Did any more ship offer regular bermuda cruises between 1984 and 1988?

[ 09-10-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Linerrich:
I believe that Home Lines became a victim of the Italian maritime unions--since they were Italian flag, using Italian nationals, operating costs became prohibitive. I have read that Holland America, when they purchased the last ship HOMERIC in 1988, also acquired the Home Lines name. I know there is more to the story than this; perhaps another member can fill in the details.

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Here is a Tim's thread about Atlantic and Homeric sale from Homeric - Westerdam (Page 1)

quote:

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Originally posted by Tim in 'Lauderdale:

When HAL acquired the Homeric and Atlantic from Home Lines, they were sold as a pair and not due to a lack of success, but due to the fact that the owners could no longer operate the vessels in the manner they wanted to, for a variety of reasons. (operational problems, personnel problems and a rift with the Bermuda Government).

Atlantic was quickly chartered to Premier and Homeric was sent for a very quick and rudimentary drydock to repaint her and replace public signage. I believe the drydock was little more than a week or 10 days in length.

--Tim

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It was rumoured that Premier Cruise Lines had a plan to purchase Home Lines.

[ 09-09-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

quote:

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Originally posted by jeffrossatsea:
before sitmar was sold to P&O....did sitmar have names for the newbuilds wich are now "regal princess" and "aidablu"?.....jeff

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The Homeric was to late and even before she was build she faced problems. Home Lines planned here as a 53.000 grt vessel. The Bermuda governement refuse to give the ship permission to call at Bermuda. Only after alter the plans fore the ship by smaller here to 42.000 grt, Bermuda give a go ahead.

Whene Homeric came in the hands of HAL they ship was finally rebuild to here original leght and size.

It would be interresting to see Home Lines back. Only as a indenpended company as MSC.

quote:

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Originally posted by Maasdam:

The Homeric was to late and even before she was build she faced problems. Home Lines planned here as a 53.000 grt vessel. The Bermuda governement refuse to give the ship permission to call at Bermuda. Only after alter the plans fore the ship by smaller here to 42.000 grt, Bermuda give a go ahead.

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Home Lines specially designed for Homeric, which means draft shallow enough to maneuver through the reefs that surround the island.

[ 09-10-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

At the Westerdam’s introductory events in November 1988, HAL Chairman Nico van der Vorm is approached by Ted Arison, chairman of Carnival Cruise Lines, about selling Holland America Line-Westours Inc. to Carnival. The deal is consummated over the Thanksgiving holiday.

On January 17, 1989 Purchase of Holland America Line-Westours Inc. by Carnival is finalized.

[ 09-10-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

During the construction of the Homeric in Papenburg, West Germany, he once again served as a consultant before assuming the helm of Homeric.

*At the time, all HAL ships, Rotterdam, Statendam, Veendam and Volendam, were older than Oceanic.
Nieuw Amsterdam was completed in 1983.

[ 09-11-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

quote:

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Originally posted by Ocean Liners:

Home Lines specially designed for Homeric, which means draft shallow enough to maneuver through the reefs that surround the island.

[ 09-10-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

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Yes but the real plance fore the ship was a 53.000 grt vessel. Wich was turned down by the Bahama governement. Thene the whole plan was reviewed and to a 42.000 grt vessel. After here sale to Holland America, HAL desided to leghtened here. She would be rebuild based on the original plans fore the Homeric. So she would became a 53.000 grt vessel. Whene the vessel emerged frome here leghtening she looks more handsome thene before.

Greetings Ben.

[ 09-11-2005: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

Here life in pictures.

[ 09-11-2005: Message edited by: Maasdam ]