ss norway

What is the status of the SS Norway? Is it ever going to be in commission again?

Unfortunately, there is absolutely no chance of her ever sailing again. Her boilers are shot, and there are some structural issues as well. The only way to keep Norway out of Alang is use as a floating hotel. In fact, NCL has been using her as an accomodation ship for crew members while other NCL ships are at the yard for maintainence. In the meantime, she's on the market for $25 million- a small fraction of her appraised value on Star Cruises' books.

In the meantime, she's on the market for $25 million- a small fraction of her appraised value on Star Cruises' books.

And, I might add, a good bit more than she's worth.

 

On the upside, I just heard from someone who was on her at the end of June and reports that NCL are keeping her in excellent condition. According to him there are plastic coverings over most of the furniture and carpets, painting and varnishing is going on, and the diesel auxilliary engines are providing power for the entire ship. Apparently the HVAC and electrical systems are in working order.

 

Now, what NCL are keeping her in good shape for, I haven't a clue. Presumably they're hoping to sell her to someone, though that naturally brings up the question of who would want to buy her. At $25m, my guess is that there isn't going to be a whole lot of interest.

 

A month or so ago there were rumors and a press release floating around that she was going to be bought and used on Transatlantic service between France and Quebec. The whole thing seemed more than a little fishy to me and not surprisingly the supposed owner of the company who claimed to be ready to buy her has long since vanished from the scene.

$25 million either means NCL is desparate to minimize their loss on this; or possibly that they may not be all that willing to sell? Let's try a little fuzzy math: as I recall, SS United States has an appraised scrap value of around $3 million, since SS Norway is 23,000 gross tons larger, would $4.3 million be about right?

 

At any rate, it is a relief to know that their not letting her deteriorate, although it does seem like a waste, since we all know that 99.95% of all attempts to save classic liners end in failure.

 

Could Star use her as a stationary hotel/casino, say moored in the middle of a harbor somwhere in SE Asia?

 

I hadn't heard about the transatlantic rumor. I hope nobody gave that guy any money.

$25 million either means NCL is desparate to minimize their loss on this; or possibly that they may not be all that willing to sell?

Of course it's just an asking price... They can't in their right minds expect anything near $25m.

 

But then again, one never knows... The sale price of FAIR PRINCESS to the Chinese (Taiwanese? I forget) who bought her when she became CHINA SEA DISCOVERY was rumored to be in the region of $15m... She was not even for sale but these people approached P&O with the offer and let's face it, you can hardly blame them for selling! (Why the Chinese were so intent on having that ship remains a complete mystery... Perhaps some British state secrets were hidden on her unbeknownst to P&O ;) ?)

 

Let's try a little fuzzy math: as I recall, SS United States has an appraised scrap value of around $3 million, since SS Norway is 23,000 gross tons larger, would $4.3 million be about right?

I'm not sure that gross tonnage can be used as any kind of an accurate guide for scrap value... But at any rate, scrap value should be far, far less than $25m... Not even anywhere remotely in that range.

 

Could Star use her as a stationary hotel/casino, say moored in the middle of a harbor somwhere in SE Asia?

Yes, this is what popped up in my mind too... Though I think it would have to be in international waters. In Singapore there is already New Century "Cruises" who run fast ferries out to their ships (admittedly not moored, but actually just drifting out there and coming into port to provision and refuel at times) which are basically floating casinos. I don't remember all the details, except to say that I feel very bad for the former SVEA, SKYWARD, and RENAISSANCE ??? (I forget if it is III or IV...) that they're living out their twilight years (well, the former Ren "yacht" isn't in her twilight years, but the other two are) in such a service (if one could even call it active service).

 

I hadn't heard about the transatlantic rumor. I hope nobody gave that guy any money.

The whole thing was very unusual. Ironically I don't think it was a bad idea at all but it was obvious that the guy peddling it hadn't a clue what he was doing.

 

They supposedly were offering a whopping US$28m for the ship (apparently because there were "many other offers"...), and estimated a ridiculously low $35m for a complete refit including compliance with SOLAS 2010 and a new diesel-electric power plant. (I think they left out a "0" on that one!) The whole thing had my mental alarm bells ringing like crazy, and I've not heard anything about it since the initial "buzz", so I assume the whole thing was, unsurprisingly, dead on arrival.

Doug, do you really think there's room for another transatlantic liner? Cunard is getting by with a mere 13 crossings per year, is it safe to assume that that's the maximum demand, or do they keep the number of crossings delibrately low for a safety margin? It would be nice to see some competing lines again though.

Doug, do you really think there's room for another transatlantic liner?

Quite possibly... Especially on a different route. I believe the route in question here was Le Havre-Southampton-Quebec City which is not really in direct competition with QM2. Also I believe they were planning on staying in a lower price bracket.

 

Cunard is getting by with a mere 13 crossings per year, is it safe to assume that that's the maximum demand

No, I don't think that's maximum demand at all. Note how in 2005 there was a significant increase in the number of crossings vs. cruises for QM2... Obviously that market is doing well.

 

I think demand well outstrips supply in the market for Atlantic crossings these days.

Just wanted to test the theory.

I've long believed that there was more of a market for crossings than Cunard is filling, good to know that there's someone else with the same sentiments. :)

These days, people are so fed up with airlines and airports that they'll do anything if it means they don't have to give up half their seat to the 'larger' person in the next seat, wedge themselves behind a tray table, or stand in an hour-long security line. And that's not even touchching on the horrible standards of service.

 

Its a shame this business plan was a scam, because such a thing probably could work.

Take a (significantly) lower ticket price than Cunard, a higher passenger density, a more regular schedule, and a faster speed to reduce crossing time to a reasonable alternative to air travel (say overnight) and you could have a viable transatlantic liner/ferry service. Just a dream, but given enough money, it could work. Hughes Aircraft drew up plans for a high-speed transatlantic hydrofoil in the mid 50's.

Its a shame this business plan was a scam, because such a thing probably could work.

I certainly think it could. For one thing, QM2 does not provide a direct connection with Continental Europe, which a Le Havre-Southampton-Montreal service would. Also, Montreal is convenient not just for Canadians but also for those living in the Midwestern US. And there is still a tremendous amount of sentiment in France for the ship.

 

That said, it would require a far greater investment than was proposed (a $35m for a re-engining is just absurd) - perhaps even nearly as much as it would cost to build a new ship - and at any rate I doubt the party proposing that plan could even come up with enough money to buy the ship as she sits, let alone to actually start up such an operation.

 

Too bad, I think it would have been a really fascinating venture.

Hi,

Following link may answer your question:

http://www.tug-barge.com/p508.htm

 

Kind regards

Lothar

 

What is the status of the SS Norway? Is it ever going to be in commission again?

What is the status of the SS Norway? Is it ever going to be in commission again?

no i wish. it was scrapped in India. I started my cruising relm in 2010, way after Norway, and I wish I could have sailed on her. :( she will be missed

I had the great pleasure of sailing on S.S. France wayyy back in the early to mid 70s, transatlantic. I was just a kid, but oh what an impression she made. Then I had the great fortune to sail on her when she became the Norway...twice in fact. Just a lovely, elegant ship, although as you might imagine her atmostphere was quite different once she joined the NCL fleet.

We were booked on the SS Norway for her "Farewell Cruise" in August of 2001. I think they were going to move her from the Caribbean where she had been for many years to Europe. There were 2 Farewell Cruises, 1 for the Eastern and 1 for the Western C. We had booked the Western C but were diverted when we got to port due to a Tropical Storm in the West. Then we ended up running into another Tropical Storm on the East. We missed St. Maarten so only had 2 ports on the 7 days (St. Thomas and the private island).

 

After 9/11 just a few weeks after our cruise, they decided to keep her around as there was a push for more American home ports.

 

This was my first 7 day cruise. It was also my mom's first (and only) cruise sometime around 1984, I think...and my dad's first cruise with my step mom around 1987. We all miss the old lady. Such as a shame she ended up being scrap and left to break up by the waves.

Hi Reney313,

 

Just thought I would pass on the the beautiful Norway was not actually left to break up in the waves. She was towed to Alang in India where she was slowly and methodically cut apart until there was nothing left of the grand lady.

 

Really a tragic end for such a beautiful ship.

 

Angelo

Loved that ship sailed her 7 times including honeymoon in 1991

Hi Reney313,

 

Just thought I would pass on the the beautiful Norway was not actually left to break up in the waves. She was towed to Alang in India where she was slowly and methodically cut apart until there was nothing left of the grand lady.

 

Really a tragic end for such a beautiful ship.

 

Angelo

 

Thanks....last I had looked a few years back, it seems there was a picture of her laid up against the beach. I prefer to know she was cut up (seems a little more respectful, I guess).

Yes, I guess that's one way of looking at it. Unfortunately, the photos of her being picked apart piece by piece were heartbreaking nonetheless!

another reason I hate NCL they let ship fall apart then sell it for scrap, would love to book ss Roterdamm hotel which was restored and doing great business, Rotterdam was a older ship ( I think) , sailed on her a few times in late 1970's.

another reason I hate NCL they let ship fall apart then sell it for scrap, would love to book ss Roterdamm hotel which was restored and doing great business, Rotterdam was a older ship ( I think) , sailed on her a few times in late 1970's.

 

There are times I wish I had the kind of money necessary to buy one of those ships, but sadly, that's just not going to happen. :(

another reason I hate NCL they let ship fall apart then sell it for scrap, would love to book ss Roterdamm hotel which was restored and doing great business, Rotterdam was a older ship ( I think) , sailed on her a few times in late 1970's.

 

I would have scuttled her.

Im afraid no. After a boiler explosion it was sent to Alang, India and scrapped into pieces of metal. I personally think that Norwegian should rebuy the SS United States and give that a new hull and turn into a cruise ship, fit for people of any age, but with an ocean liner feel and put it into sevice from Miami on 7 night Cruises that sail the eastern cruise stopping at St.Thomas and Tortola, and the Western stopping at Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Roatan, both cruise having a day trip to Great Stirrup Cay. But thats me. .

She has already been scrapped to pieces of metal. I have seen pictures, and to me it makes no sense to fly someone half way across the world to only fly back a week later. that ship is gone, but I could be wrong.

For anyone who wants to reminiscence or has never seen what the Norway looked like, here is an interesting video showing the Norway on a Western Mediterranean cruise. Some really neat interior shots are found in the video, including when the ship was the SS France:

 

(disregard the Youtube description - this is a SS Norway cruise) Edited June 16, 2015 by Ship's Wake

another reason I hate NCL they let ship fall apart then sell it for scrap, would love to book ss Roterdamm hotel which was restored and doing great business, Rotterdam was a older ship ( I think) , sailed on her a few times in late 1970's.

 

SS Rotterdam was partially refurbished with public funds that were supposed to be spent on low income housing. The officials who pulled that one off lost their jobs and some of them went to jail.

The immense amount of money that was mis-used only allowed a partial renovation of the ship. The rest of the ship remains closed to the public.

 

Occupancy in the hotel has been so low that the ship cannot make a profit. The owners are trying to sell, but nobody will buy her.

This ship/museum/hotel - like those before her - will slowly go bankrupt and disappear.

For anyone who wants to reminiscence or has never seen what the Norway looked like' date=' here is an interesting video showing the Norway on a Western Mediterranean cruise. Some really neat interior shots are found in the video, including when the ship was the SS France:

 

(disregard the Youtube description - this is a SS Norway cruise)[/quote']

 

We sailed on the Norway the week before her boiler room blew up. She was a beautiful ship, the food and entertainment were great, and there was an expansive jogging trail all the way around the ship on the level below the lifeboats and if you went around four times you have jogged a full mile. But the inner cabins were very small and smelled of sewage and the beds were old and not too comfortable. The Norway had 2 huge tenders that sort of plugged into the rear end of the ship forming part of the ship when fully integrated and because the ship was so large they used these tenders at essentially every port to transport passengers ashore. Its funny I couldn't see those huge tender boats in the video.