News Article re Mobile: NEW CRUISE SHIP SOON?

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/121559495634500.xml&coll=3

Excerpts

FMT, a Swedish builder of products such as gangways for passenger vessels and planes, confirmed this week that the company has had "preliminary talks with Alabama Cruise Terminal" about a new gangway. Whether the city buys one hinges on a commitment from a cruise line to base a larger ship in Mobile, said Anders Frick, president of Toronto-based FMT North America.

Although Jones and others said an announcement could be imminent, Miami-based Carnival isn't talking. Spokesman Vance Gulliksen said the company, as of Tuesday, had made no decisions about changes in Mobile.

While the city owns the cruise terminal, an RSA affili ate built and operates it. The city owes the state pension system $19 million and is paying 8 percent interest. Jones said Monday that he is seeking to refinance that debt as part of a larger bond issue.

Jones said that David Bronner, head of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, is talking to Carnival about possible incentives should it bring a new ship to Mobile. Part of what lured the Holiday was the promise of $5 million worth of advertising in RSA-owned television and radio stations promoting the new ship.

I hope so!!

Our one and only cruise from Mobile was disastrous, and I 'd love to have a good memory of Mobile cruising.

Shay

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/121559495634500.xml&coll=3

 

 

 

Jones said that David Bronner, head of the Retirement Systems of Alabama, is talking to Carnival about possible incentives should it bring a new ship to Mobile. Part of what lured the Holiday was the promise of $5 million worth of advertising in RSA-owned television and radio stations promoting the new ship.

Gotta grease them wheels :D

It does appear that to get a newer and larger ship a port should expect a 2-5 month gap without a ship. That is a serious blow to the local economy in the short term.

Gotta give it to the Moblieans, they like to keep their desire for a larger ship in the news.

Already posted

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=806634

Already posted

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=806634

Well...this was posted 3 hours before that one.:D