Famous SS United States Up for Sale?

[LauraS]

Cruise Critic has just posted the following news:

Famous SS United States Up for Sale?

Read the entire news article...

[Glenn n Steven in SC]

It would be more than tragic if we (as a country) let this beautiful vessel continue to rot, or worse, be destroyed for scrap. If we can make a place for, and adaptively re-use the Queen Mary - a symbol of British maritime prowess - why can't we do at least that much with one of the United States' few such examples??

[zider]

Dont throw your Nationions heritage on the scrap heap Where is the American can do spirit.

[Don_In_AZ]

If we can spend $30 million to save a mouse, certainly we could spend $20 million to save the most profound example of our trans-atlantic maritime history. Also, any restoration investment would actually create quite a few new jobs...A win, win!

[mauiedin87]

I came to the United States as an immigrant on this beautiful liner in July of 1966, an incredible experience that I will never forget! I hope she's not sold for scrap, she's a piece of maritime history! And as far as I've read, her trans atlantic crossing speed record remains unbroken...

[Dan Askin]

Originally Posted by mauiedin87

I came to the United States as an immigrant on this beautiful liner in July of 1966, an incredible experience that I will never forget! I hope she's not sold for scrap, she's a piece of maritime history! And as far as I've read, her trans atlantic crossing speed record remains unbroken...

I've read comments from quite a few folks who've immigrated via the SS United States, welcomed to America by the Statue of Liberty. Some stories of the arrival seem right out of an epic.

The westbound trans-Atlantic record, as I noted in the piece, is still in tact -- and for nearly 60 years. The eastbound record was usurped in 1990.

[SteveinPhilly]

It's literally blocks from my home. I shote this photo for a friend last October and since I think it's more recent than the one in the article, I thought I'd share.

http://*******.com/bsd7wy

Steve

[puppy]

I was aboard her in the 60's, when visitors were allowed. My aunt was going to Europe on her Honeymoon and we all went to see her off. As a kid I remember how excited I was to see such a wonderful, beautiful ship. My Brothers and I ran all over checking out every door we could open. I believe I still have a few glasses and an ashtray we got as souverniers.
She shouldn't be allowed to sit and rot, forgotten.

[tomprice]

What do you expect from a company whose web site says "set sail for paradise aboard the youngest fleet on the planet."? From a company that has already unceremoniously scrapped another ship of state (the Norway/France)?

NCL bought this ship (only) to get an advantage in the Hawaiian market. Preserving this ship should have been one of the conditions for the competitive advantages they were subsequently granted by Congress.

Congress needs to revisit these concessions and the subsequent "sweetheart adjustments" that were pushed through afterwards. To me, a reasonable incentive would to tie breaking of this ship to repeal of the Jones Act...

[philamike]

Originally Posted by SteveinPhilly

It's literally blocks from my home. I shote this photo for a friend last October and since I think it's more recent than the one in the article, I thought I'd share.

http://*******.com/bsd7wy

Steve

Hey Steve -- thanks for posting that pic. I'm in awe every time I drive by her on the way to Ikea or Lowes... It would be a shame if she never sails again.

You may recall, we both sailed on Empress of the Seas in Oct 2007. I just noticed in your signature that you're sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale on March 8. So am I, but on Celebrity Solstice! Small world...

- Mike :-)

[SteveinPhilly]

Originally Posted by philamike

Hey Steve --

You may recall, we both sailed on Empress of the Seas in Oct 2007. I just noticed in your signature that you're sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale on March 8. So am I, but on Celebrity Solstice! Small world...

- Mike :-)

I sure do remember you Mike! That was a fun cheap trip. Too bad you can only go to Bermuda from Philly now EXZCEPT for NCL Norwegian Dawn to NE/Canada. The NCL is cheap but the ratings are like 2 stars out of 5. And the Dawn is being sold in late fall - like the Empress was.

We have always enjoyed HAL and chose the Westerdam for PRICE alone. Not fans of the Caribbean. BTW, I noted that there are still ships stopping in that small port in PR (began with an M) that everyone hated

Still looking for a good RT to Canada for the fall but RCL dropped the 10 day Canada only (it sol;d out last year) and doing the 9-day Explorer (which we did in 2007 before the Empress). And HAL has a nice one out of NYC but it's 7 days ONE WAY

Steve

[bradtoon]

Originally Posted by SteveinPhilly

And the Dawn is being sold in late fall

Steve

Really?, Since when? I havnt heard that one yet...

[SteveinPhilly]

Originally Posted by bradtoon

Really?, Since when? I havnt heard that one yet...

Sorry: Not sure why I thought of the Dawn.

But: re: Majesty: "Editor's Note: NCL's parent company Star Cruises has completed the sale of Norwegian Majesty to Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines. The last sailing for NCL will be a 14-night Southern Caribbean cruise from Philadelphia departing on November 1, 2009.

And the reviews for the Majesty were pretty poor especially room size (inside UNDER 98 sq ft.

Steve

[smeyer418]

Originally Posted by SteveinPhilly

Sorry: Not sure why I thought of the Dawn.

But: re: Majesty: "Editor's Note: NCL's parent company Star Cruises has completed the sale of Norwegian Majesty to Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines. The last sailing for NCL will be a 14-night Southern Caribbean cruise from Philadelphia departing on November 1, 2009.

And the reviews for the Majesty were pretty poor especially room size (inside UNDER 98 sq ft.

Steve

? didn't you travel on the Majesty last year and enjoyed it? We were on the Majesty and had a great time. I know its being sold. I have a reservation for 10/3!

yes some of the rooms are small--- the majesty is an older ship and this was an acceptable size when it was built. You know its not the soze that matters but the room and the service which was great.

[SomeBeach]

Originally Posted by Don_In_AZ

If we can spend $30 million to save a mouse, certainly we could spend $20 million to save the most profound example of our trans-atlantic maritime history. Also, any restoration investment would actually create quite a few new jobs...A win, win!

Don, ROTFL!! And I agree!

I'm also in your fair city. I love it when I tell folks I have a home in Surprise.

Steve, thanks for the picture.

[SomeBeach]

Here's some more interesting info on the ship...

http://www.ssunitedstates.org/theship.htm

[franu]

What do you expect from a company whose web site says "set sail for paradise aboard the youngest fleet on the planet."? From a company that has already unceremoniously scrapped another ship of state (the Norway/France)?

NCL bought this ship (only) to get an advantage in the Hawaiian market. Preserving this ship should have been one of the conditions for the competitive advantages they were subsequently granted by Congress.

Congress needs to revisit these concessions and the subsequent "sweetheart adjustments" that were pushed through afterwards. To me, a reasonable incentive would to tie breaking of this ship to repeal of the Jones Act...

My sentiments exactly. You put it in a nicer way than I could. I am "spittin' mad" but not surprised. In fact I expected it from them.
Fran

[SteveinPhilly]

I though others would find interesting, though nothing new is added.

Steve

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/40768222.html

[Dan Askin]

Hey guys,

It's official. Word from NCL: "After exploring alternate opportunities for the ship with the S.S. United States Conservancy, the vessel has now been listed with a ship broker who is focusing on a sale to a U.S. entity." Interest in the S.S. United States, of course, had been retained by NCL’s long-term shareholder, Star Cruises, on February 10.

Dan

[tomprice]

"Ship broker" is certainly more politically correct than "ship breaker" isn't it? And, now they can say "we tried". But, betting the result is the same...

This is another in a series of broken promises. When this ship goes to the breakers, some Congressional action needs to be taken to level the playing field in Hawaii...