Norwegian Dream - the first of other 'ghost ships'

[coaster]

It has now been a year since the Norwegian Dream had a paying passenger. It is the first ship in my memory that a modern ship has gone this long without paying passengers. Is this just the first of other ships being put on mothballs? The surge in capacity with the Oasis, Carnival Dream and the upcoming Epic during such a downturn only keeps the possibility of other ships sharing the same fate an option that has to be considered. Anyone else predict slightly older ships being parked until the market improves?

[2Cruise4Ever]

Well considering the Dream is no longer a part of the Norwegian fleet, no. Same with the Majesty.

[pex]

Originally Posted by 2Cruise4Ever

Well considering the Dream is no longer a part of the Norwegian fleet, no. Same with the Majesty.

I'm not sure how you define being "part of the Norwegian fleet." As far as I know, the Dream is still owned by Star/NCL. The last deal fell through, and they are again looking for a buyer. Apparently the Dream failed the "home inspection."

[vreihen]

Originally Posted by pex

As far as I know, the Dream is still owned by Star/NCL.

I asked Kevin Sheehan (NCL's CEO) a direct question about the Dream and any possibility of putting it back into service last month. His answer was that the ship now belongs to Star, and NCL has nothing to do with it any more.

Shhh...don't tell anyone but the last NCL crew person off of the Dream forgot to turn the bridge webcam off:

[iheartbda]

Originally Posted by coaster

It has now been a year since the Norwegian Dream had a paying passenger. It is the first ship in my memory that a modern ship has gone this long without paying passengers. Is this just the first of other ships being put on mothballs? The surge in capacity with the Oasis, Carnival Dream and the upcoming Epic during such a downturn only keeps the possibility of other ships sharing the same fate an option that has to be considered. Anyone else predict slightly older ships being parked until the market improves?

In today's economic climate, it's hard to predict anything.

If they retire or park ships, I'm not sure that it has too much to do with waiting until the market improves, but more along the lines of what the cruiselines say the public wants.....big new ships that ARE the destination.

[Don Haynes]

Star cruises moved the ship to Greece. Louis Lines still faces block obsolescence with many of their ships. When the economy improves, the ship may still be sold to Louis Lines despite failing their inspection. Ships can be repaired... The Dream is nearly twice as large as many of Louis Lines ships. The Dream should replace two of their older smaller ships....

[seabourndt]

i was on her a year ago yto south america and had a great time on her, yes see the webcaM is still on
dave

[Dolphinspotter]

Norwegian Dream is still alongside at the shipyard in Syros, Greece. She has been there for a few weeks now and MarineTraffic.com / AIS has not indicated any movement since her arrival from Piraeus Roads. Interestingly her clasification has just changed from "Passenger Ship" to "Unspecified."
My wife and I love this ship and hope that she is about to undergo a refit before sale to a new line, especially if it's in our part of the world (UK/Europe).