Any word on the Norway?

[ahoughton]

I know it will probably never sail again and I know it won't with Norwegian but has anyone heard if it has been purchased and any plans. I would hate to hear it is heading to Alang, India but I am afraid that might be its final cruise.

[robsvacation]

There were rumors of and effort to have her moved to Le Harve as a floating hotel, the palns fell through, now I hear they are trying again...

 

I know a study was done by NCL and it was rumored she could have been made SOLAS 2010 complient and still be economically viable. Of course that was before she needed a new boiler too. I'm surprised there's no value in her, but she would be difficult to renovate in a way that included all the things NCL values these days (lots of balconies, freestyle dining, etc)

 

Saddly, I'll be surprise if she doesn't end up as scrap.

[pgm2786]

http://cruiseclues.com/shipstips/norway.htm Try this web site, lists many new and old cruise ships

[mikeymars]

The preservation society that is working to try and save the S.S. France (a.k.a. Norway):

 

http://www.ss-norway.com/Welcome.html

[Globaliser]

I know it will probably never sail again and I know it won't with Norwegian but has anyone heard if it has been purchased and any plans. I would hate to hear it is heading to Alang, India but I am afraid that might be its final cruise.

Unfortunately, the latest rumours are bad - but I hasten to add that "rumours" is all they are.

 

Maritime Matters is reporting:-

Bits On The Beach

February 16: The latest reports from Alang have the ATALANTE (ex TAHITIEN, ATALANTE, HOMERICUS) cut back to her funnel, which is expected to be toppled down in the next three to four days. On her port side, the UNIVERSE (ex BRASIL, VOLENDAM, UNIVERSE EXPLORER, etc.) has been nearly stripped. The tip of her once sharply pointed bow has been shorn off along with a chunk of her starboard forward superstructure. The EXPLORER (ex GENERAL W.P. RICHARDSON, LA GUARDIA, LEILANI, PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT, EMERALD SEAS, OCEAN EXPLORER I, etc.) is still beached far out and, aside from holes cut into her bow for winching purposes, remains unstripped and intact for the time being. Our source in the region says there is much buzz about the SS NORWAY (ex FRANCE) supposedly having just been sold to an Indian scrap merchant for breaking, but this remains to be confirmed. Meanwhile, clouds of smoke have been emanating from RITA's (ex WINDSOR CASTLE, MARGARITA L) funnel while she prepares for her departure from Petrola to the breakers in either India or Bangladesh. And, speaking of Bangladesh, the lovely TARA (ex TARAS SHEVCHENKO) met terra firma on 29 January when she was beached at Chittagong for scrapping. Reports of RED BOAT's (ex EUGENIO C, EUGENIO COSTA, EDINBURGH CASTLE, SS THE BIG RED BOAT II) being retubed for further trading have proven false. She is being retubed for the voyage to South Asian shipbreakers as this will be more cost-efficient than towing. Her departure from Freeport is expected in the very near future. Further, ship historian and author Bruce Peter reports the ferry MENHIR (ex CHRISTIAN IV of 1968) is heading eastward for the breakers to join so many of her contemporaries in demolition.

[nealstuber]

pgm

We're also from the Boston area and were thinking of taking the Majesty for a late summer get-away (just before school starts). This vacation would be "off budget" meaning we're looking to do it cheap. any suggestions?

[Globaliser]

Unfortunately, the latest rumours are bad - but I hasten to add that "rumours" is all they are.

More bad news reported by Maritime Matters - and this time it's news, not rumour:-

No NORWAY In Northern France

February 23: The French leisure group, Pierre & Vacances, announced today that it has decided not to buy SS NORWAY (ex FRANCE) (laid up at Bremerhaven since 2003). A feasibility study was conducted on the ambitious plan which had included removing the asbestos, extensive refurbishment to create a 650-bed hotel with six restaurants, three bars, casino, theatre, conference centre and a maritime museum. She would have been towed to Honfleur, France for operation. However, the plan was considered too expensive.

Another source (Seatrade Insider) says that the cost of the project would have been at least €200 million.