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I have received countless enquiries in regard
classic ships and ex liners that are still operating as cruise
ships. We are indeed fortunate that it is still possible to go
and sail on a genuine classic passenger ship. However, we should
note that many ships have gone due to the new SOLAS (Safety
Of Life At Sea) regulations which
comes into effect in 2010. However, there are some immaculately
maintained and fully upgraded ships that will continue to serve
and this special feature will cover a number of these ships. All
ships listed on the feature will have additional available on
ssMaritime for their history, as well as on Cruise-Australia
where you can discover more them in their current guise.
Thus, as they are still sailing, why not go and
book a “Classic Ocean Voyage”® and surround yourself
with an atmosphere that only an ex Classic Liner can provide! All
the unique qualities that these ships are able to offer may be
forever in the years ahead, however, I do know that some of the
ships in this feature are scheduled to sail in 2012!
Each of the ships listed on “Classic Ocean
Voyages”® are well worth taking a cruise on and should you
require further details or booking information, I have contact
details listed with each ship.
The
delightful MS Lofoten, still sailing and will be sailing for some
time yet!
Photograph provided by a supporter, but from an unknown source – Please see Photo notes at bottom of page!
MS Lofoten is a passenger vessel built in
Dining on all Hurtigruten ships is much the
same and very Norwegian in style, as it is mostly Buffet style.
Thus you serve yourself from the ample selection at each meal.
From the past reviews I have received, the food has always been
praised as it of the highest quality and “ever so
fresh”! Lifestyle on these ships is very relaxed, for there
is so much to see as you visit the countless fascinating and
scenic villages. If you do the 12 day round trip from
The MS Lofoten is operated by Hurtigruten in
The
Lofoten is sailing out to another adventure with superb sights
and vista’s!
Photograph
provided by from Hurtigruten
Never
ending views
Traditional
fishing villages
Photograph
provided by a supporter, but from an unknown source – Please
see Photo notes at bottom of page!
Wherever
you are on board there will be views of beauty
Photograph
provided by a supporter, but from an unknown source – Please
see Photo notes at bottom of page!
Sailing
past snow capped mountains and fjords
Photograph
provided by from Hurtigruten
Her Interiors
I
hereby wish to thank
Several
other images are from Hurtigruten or the author’s collection
The
nerve centre of the ship – the Bridge
Photograph
provided by a supporter, but from an unknown source – Please
see Photo notes at bottom of page!
Bridge
Deck portside looking aft
\
Taking
the stairs down, you arrive at the Saloon Deck Hall that has this
delightful setting and décor
The
Main Lounge is located forward on Saloon Deck, with the Hall just
behind it. It features windows on three sides
The
Restaurant is located directly behind the Hall
Here
we see an early Breakfast buffet
Photograph
provided by a supporter, but from an unknown source – Please
see Photo notes at bottom of page!
On
the portside aft of the Restaurant is the charming
“Café” and shop, etc This is the forward section
looking toward the dinning room
The
“Café” looking aft – On the starboard side there
are four cabins
Aft
of the Café is the spacious full width Lounge and Bar oberlooking
the stern of the ship
This
venue is beautifully furnishes and the Bar is obviously a popular
night spot!
The
aft Decks – standing on Saloon Deck and the windows are The
Bar with Boat Deck just above which has a raised covered deck
area
Photograph
provided by a supporter, but from an unknown source – Please
see Photo notes at bottom of page!
The
Bridge may be the nerve centre, but down in the well kept engine
room we find the heart of the ship!
Photograph
provided by a supporter, but from an unknown source – Please
see Photo notes at bottom of page!
Lofoten
seen in port offloading some mail and cargo
Specifications:
Built by:
Olso Ship Builders in
Yard: 547.
Delivered:
February 24, 1964.
IMO Nr:
5424562.
Call Sign:
LIXN.
Engines:
Diesel Motors.
Screws:
Single.
Speed:
15 Knots.
Tonnage:
2621 GRT.
Length:
87.4m (286.9ft).
Beam:
13.2m (43.4ft 4).
Draught:
6.7m (22.6ft).
Passengers:
155 berthed + Short haul coastal passengers.
Passenger decks:
Five.
Crew:
42.
Accommodations
Cabin
images provided by Hurtigruten
Accommodations on board the Lofoten are
comfortable but compact, there are some that are available as a
single bed cabin, then there are those cabins that have a sofa
bed, but they mostly have an upper and frequently another lower
berth available, thus can be sold as a twin, or as a three berth
cabin. There are also four berth cabins available. Most cabins
have a bathroom with a shower and WC, however there are some
cabins that only have a wash basin and passengers need to use the
share facilities that are close at hand, and be assured that they
are superbly maintained!
A
richly timbered twin bedded cabin
A
single or two berth cabin, yes it is compact but it does have all
you need
A
three berth cabin
Deck
Plan
Why
not join the delightful MS Lofoten on “The Most Beautiful
Voyage in the Word” in 2012!
Photograph
provided by from Hurtigruten
For
information and Bookings …
In
Contact
Corie:
Please
name the ship you are enquiring about as well as dates and number
of passenger wishing to sail
***************************************************
The
delightful classic MS Nordstjernen still sailing after 56 years!
Photograph
provided by Hurtigruten
Hurtigruten’s oldest ship is the
delightful MS Nordstjernen, which was originally ordered late in
1954 and the ship was constructed in
There is no doubt that the MS Nordstjernen is
one of the last classic working coastal ships around that is
still working the Norwegian coast, and she is perfect for the
romantics as she offers plenty of character and a cosy atmosphere
but at the same time she is not excessive, nor overly luxurious
although she has been modernised some time back. Her passengers
tend to be 50+ and they tend to come from all over the world as
far as
Interiors
Above
& Below: The delightful forward Main Lounge, there is another
lounge aft.
Photographs
provided by Hurtigruten
A
cosy Bar
Photograph
provided by Hurtigruten
The
Dinning Room
Photograph
provided by Hurtigruten
Deck
Plan of D (Lounge) Deck
Provided
by Hurtigruten
Although the delightful MS Nordstjernen is the
last ship in
Specifications:
Built by:
1956 - Blohm & Voss
Delivered:
February 1956.
IMO Nr:
5255777.
Call Sign:
LATU.
Engines:
Diesel Motors.
Screws:
Single.
Speed:
15 Knots.
Tonnage:
2191 GRT.
Length:
80.7m (264.9ft).
Beam:
12.6m (41.4ft).
Draught:
14.9ft.
Passengers:
149 berthed + Short haul coastal passengers.
Passenger decks:
Five – (Including Boat Deck for outdoor viewing).
Crew:
40.
Accommodations
Images
& plans provided by Hurtigruten
Cabins on board the Nordstjernen are
comfortable but compact, there are some that have one bed as well
as a sofa bed, but most cabins tend to have upper and lower
berths. In addition most cabins have a bathroom with a shower and
WC, but there are fifteen cabins that only have a wash basin and
need to use the share facilities close at hand, which are
superbly maintained!
This
cabin can be sold as a twin or a three berth cabin on C Deck - N
Grade.
Can
be sold as a single or a twin bedded cabin on C & B Decks
– A Grade.
An
inside two/three/four berth cabin on A (lowest) Deck – D
Grade (Share facilities).
C
Deck – The deck above is Lounge (D) Deck.
B
Decl
A
Deck
The delightful MS Nordstjernen does have a
slightly newer and sleeker, but still one of the original
classics of the Hurtigruten fleet sailing alongside her today is
the wonderful MS Lofoten built in 1964, she is featured below.
The
delightful MS Nordstjernen is due to say farewell by the end of
2012, but we are hoping for a reprieve as she is so popular!
Photograph
provided by Hurtigruten
For
information and Bookings …
In
Contact
Corie:
Please
name the ship you are enquiring about as well as dates and number
of passenger wishing to sail
INDEX
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Page One
Page Two
Page Three
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Please
Note: ssmaritime & Cruise-Australia are non-commercial and
privately owned cruise sites. The author has been in the
passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently
semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and
maritime articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship
enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise
in the future.
However,
if you are interested in a classic cruise, I am happy to refer
you to a dedicated cruise agent in
Commenced
in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
Also
visit my other sites …
“Save The
Classic Liners Campaign” & “Cruise-Australia”