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quote:Originally posted by PeterUK:I see that Cunard are alredy selling off February 2004 cruises on QM2 through on line travel agents...If they can't get full fares on the early cruises what are they going to do later on?
Speaking a cynic, I would suggest that they build the discounts into all cruise prices.
In my opinion many brochure prices are clearly over inflated, by up to 100 per, in some cases. When the lines give you discounts of 10 to 50 per cent off, the public thinks that they have got a bargain, and the cruise line gets the price they really wanted.
I must admit that I do think that Cunard will have trouble filling all of those cabins, especially in year two, especially on the less attractive itineraries. This is why I think Cunard will not want to retain QE2 and Caronia, indefinitely, but concentrate on marketing their two newbuilds.
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm:I must admit that I do think that Cunard will have trouble filling all of those cabins, especially in year two, especially on the less attractive itineraries. This is why I think Cunard will not want to retain QE2 and Caronia, indefinitely, but concentrate on marketing their two newbuilds.
I think Cunard might let Caronia go before the QE2, because I know many of my "cruising" relatives always cruise on the QE2. I bet there are many loyalist to QE2, and I don't think Cunard would want to give up those passengers to where ever QE2 ends up.
quote:Originally posted by Keitaro: I bet there are many loyalist to QE2, and I don't think Cunard would want to give up those passengers to where ever QE2 ends up.
HAL's Rotterdam V had one of the most loyal followings of any ship. Unfortunately, a loyal following doesn't account for much when the folks at headquarters decide it is time for a change. HAL announced a new Rotterdam and that was the end for Rotterdam V.
Most of her loyalists transferred their allegience to a new HAL ship - very few ever sailed on their former favorite (...including me) under the Premier flag.
Carnival is taking a similar approach with QM2 and QE2.
Joe at TravelPage.com
I have no reason to believe that NCL would not do well in the future, without the SS Norway or Cunard without QM2 and Caronia.
The cruise business moves on and does not look back!
quote:Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage: or Cunard without QM2 and Caronia.
A bit of whish full thinking or a glimpse 40 years into the future! Just kidding Malcolm of course I know you meant QE2.
Best, Onno
quote:Originally posted by Britannis:If all goes as planned, Caronia will definitely be gone first- she is already for sale, asking price $18 million. As far as I know, QE2 is not currently for sale, but may be in the near future. Who do you think would get her? Fred Olsen? Orient?
Very interesting ! Where did you found this info?
quote:Originally posted by Onno:A bit of whish full thinking or a glimpse 40 years into the future!
Notice that I did not say what year!
Guessing the future is hard enough, but guessing the date is far too much, even for me!
quote:Originally Posted by Keitaro: Very interesting ! Where did you found this info?
It was on some long buried Cruise Talk thread. I'll have to see if I can dig it out. I remember that I was very suprised at this bit of information (mainly due to the huge differnce in size between Caronia and "The New Cunarder"), but I guess it does make sense given what we know about the current state of the economy and the impending SOLAS regulations.
$18 million does seem high, and the purchaser must agree to lease the ship back until January 2005! Maybe when the New Cunarder arrives, someone can talk Cunard down a little.
Here is a quick edit picture I did in Fred Olsen's livery. The picture was from Simplon Postcards.
quote:Originally posted by Keitaro: Looking at archives, I found that back in September 1, 1002, CruiseNY said that the asking price of the Caronia is at 55 million USD.
Wow! And I thought 18mil was high! Who in their right mind would spend that kind of money on a ship that will be forced into retirement in 7 years? If the 2010 deadline didn't exist, there would probably be a number of firms that would at least express and interest in buying her (but not at $55 million).
She would fit seamlessly into HAPAG-Lloyd, Fred Olsen, Saga, or Orient. Her small cabins may keep her from attaining the level of Peter Dielmann (Deutschland, not Berlin), but she is an extrodinary ship and COULD have another long and profitable career ahead if it wasn't for the self-important, ill-informed IMO. Caronia may be 30 years old, but SHE IS NOT A DEATH TRAP, why can't they just leave her and her lot alone?
Is CMA-CGM still serious about re-entering the large ship cruise market? Caronia would be a fitting sucessor to the French Line passenger ships of old. Then again, Norway may be available soon as well.
quote:Originally posted by Britanis:Wow! And I thought 18mil was high! Who in their right mind would spend that kind of money on a ship that will be forced into retirement in 7 years? If the 2010 deadline didn't exist, there would probably be a number of firms that would at least express and interest in buying her (but not at $55 million).
Whoa... Who said she is going out in 2010?
I think she may actually be a Method I ship. From Cybercruises:
quote:The Vistafjord is French built Sagafjord's sister ship that was delivered in 1965. So, her hull was almost the same and no tank test were carried out, and she was also propelled with the same two stroke direct coupled engines. But there were some differences between them: a new passenger ship's stability and damage control regulation come into effect which meant that new internal design work was necessary. The Vistafjord, for example, was built entirely with inflammable materials. (emphasis mine)
I am assuming that the author meant that she was built entirely of incombustible materials, as it would make no sense for them to change the design of the ship to use inflammable (easily combustible) materials . The site is based in Italy and I would venture to say that the author has mistook the meaning of the word inflammable.
Again, I'd like to reiterate my postion about Cunard becomming an exclusively megaship line, BIG MISTAKE. If Caronia is going to be replaced, it shold be done by a smiliar sized vessel of 25-35,000 tons, not by an 85,000 ton behemoth IMO.
quote: Originally posted by Britanis:Again, I'd like to reiterate my postion about Cunard becomming an exclusively megaship line, BIG MISTAKE. If Caronia is going to be replaced, it shold be done by a smiliar sized vessel of 25-35,000 tons, not by an 85,000 ton behemoth IMO.
My vote goes to a R ship!
quote: Originally posted by sslewis:well done keitaro.Vistafjord would better in Orient or Saga though!
Picture originally a CARONIA pic from Simplon Postcards.
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