The demise of the Classic Liner

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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer & Author

Maritime Comments

Currently this page has three items. 1. The Demise of the Classic Liner. 2. The future of SS Rotterdam. 3. Classic Liners V/s Floating Resorts. If you wish to make a comment on any of these stories please email me.

Part One

Demise of the Classic Liners

Recent years have been sad one for all who love the grand old ships as we have seen their demise as they have been run at full speed up onto a beach, be it in India or Bangladesh and broken up. These graceful ships were built in and for a different era, when many of the 21^st century rules, regulations and conditions did not apply. Sailing on them provided to totally different atmosphere and feel, one that is very different to sailing on the modern cruise ships of today. In those days the moment you stepped onboard you knew that you were aboard a ship, whereas today, you walk into what feels more like a building, or a hotel, one that just happens to be able to move from one place to another. But, although these are ships, they are far from “liners” as they once were, and they do not have that same magic!

Fuel: There is no denying that the old steamships were more graceful than modern cruise ships. But, unfortunately, steam boilers tend to consume more fuel than diesel engines or gas turbines. The magnificent American liner, SS United States, was a terrible fuel hog when she was sailing for United States Lines! However, this was not an issue back in the fifties fuel was relatively inexpensive, but today the cost of fuel has become a major obstacle with today’s high prices! Obviously, this is a reason these great steamships have, or are slowly disappearing.

Asbestos: In the fifties and sixties there was little to no worry about asbestos. But now, everybody is paranoid about asbestos because it is a powerful carcinogen. Classic liners were fireproofed with asbestos. Due to regulations in place today all asbestos must be removed, and we all know that that is expensive and dangerous work. Asbestos itself is not dangerous if trapped behind a wall or ceiling, but nobody wants to have the stuff around. All modern ships are fireproofed with less hazardous materials. It needs to be said, that many modern ships today still contain asbestos, but as it is fully and safely contained it poses absolutely no problem whatsoever, but it will have to be dealt with according the international safety regulartions when the time comes when the ship eventually has to be demolished.

Amenities: In the fifties and sixties passengers did not demand the amenities available on the modern floating resorts. American cruise companies introduced towering atriums, as well as the deck upon deck of balcony cabins, and rock climbing walls, and ice skating rings, slippery slides into the pool, casinos, alternative dining facilities, Internet Café’s. All these were unheard of, and a voyage in those days were a more elegant and a more unique experience when old fashioned service was the norm, being served by steward in crisp a white jacket adorned with lapels, and black slacks in the colder climates or white in the tropics. When the lounges were filled with passengers chatting with a drink and there was much laughter. The main form of entertainment would be listening to the ships band, and dancing into the night. Enjoying violin or piano solos. They were such simple days. Today, we want Las Vegas style cabarets, girls dancing in skimpy clothes, covered in beads and lots of feathers, etc. Then in those old days there was always the “Smoking Room,” what would we make of that these days? The point I am really making is that then we enjoyed thing more yes we needed less to be entertained. It was the ship and its many graceful lounges and bars, its many facilities, pools, indoors and outdoors, it massive sports decks, the maritime feel that swept the entire ship and when you finally disembarked you felt like you lost something very precious. Today, when I disembark, it is just checking out of an hotel, nothing more. Haply, there are still some fine classic ships at sea:

See Classic Ocean Voyages® where I have placed a list of recommended classic ships that will continue to operate through out the world into the future. All these ships are fully SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) 2010 compliant and have been constantly updated and refitted! One of the finest cruise companies is the now famed Portuguese company Classic International Cruises” that operate a fine fleet of classic ships, these are all covered in my feature, and although, they are not luxury cruise ships, they offer traditional style voyages, that are all inclusive, with no fancy optional dinning facilities and frills. However, do expect suites with private balconies o their larger vessels such as their superb ships such as the MV Athena, Princess Daphne, and Princess Danae. Then there is one of the most popular ships in their fleet the delightful MV Funchal that was once a Trans Atlantic liner and a Presidential Yacht, and the superb intimate MV Arion.

Funchal is currently operated by Classic Cruises international – I have been told that she will be SOLAS 2010 compliant

… and sail on, according to her owners Arcalia Shipping – Classic International Cruises

There is no doubt that fuel costs, asbestos, and SOLAS 2010 has been the greatest enemy of most classic liners as companies are slowly disposing of these ships due to the upcoming SOLAS regulations. To upgrade some of these ships is simply prohibitive. Obviously cruise companies are in the business of making a profit, and the truth is that the modern luxury cruise ships are most profitable cost wise, the American companies who in general have little to no regard to things classical (just look at the sad state of SS United States and SS Independence and what NCL has done to the great SS Norway). I have met countless Americans whilst cruising and many consider a ship just ten years old as an “Old tub.” Glitz and glamour tends to be their style, as the over the top (hideous) interiors of Mickey Arison’s Carnival ships have proven to be, and now the “Mine is bigger than yours attitude” has seen vessels built up to 220,000-ton that accommodate around 9,000 persons including the crew, which is simple madness, for in reality, a cruise was the idea of getting away from the maddening crowd, now they are joining one!

Once it was the European and British Merchant Navy that ruled the waves, today the Americans are setting the scene. Carnival own half of the world cruise companies, such as the great companies, such as Cunard, P&O Cruises UK & Australia, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, Seabourn Cruise Line, Windstar Cruises, AIDA Cruises, Ocean Village, Swan Hellenic Cruises as well as the famed Dutch company Holland America Line, however, this company has cleverly kept themselves very much apart from the greater Carnival brand and they are marketed from their own offices, rather than Carnival and all their ships remain registered in Rotterdam and their officers are Dutch.

Over the past few years Carnival has imposed their ideas of what a cruise should have and enforce ship designs on the companies. Carnival Cruises set the standard, and Royal Caribbean International Cruises (RCI), Celebrity Cruises, and Casino owned Star Cruises/NCL/Norwegian Cruise Lines/NCLA tend to follow whatever Carnival does, and visa versa. First we saw Carnival build the massive Queen Mary 2 at 150,000-GRT for Cunard, then RCI followed this up with a larger ship at 158,000 GRT, being the Freedom of the Seas. Like I said before this is the big boys syndrome, and their games has very little to do with the passengers they carry, it is all to do with pure pride and profit! Now we have that 220,000-ton monstrosity, that is a floating building, I pray that it never hits a twister for it will be a disaster that sadly would be a movie makers dream! And it could well happen, for a ship with a shallow hull like these ships are not that safe!

In the seventies I part owned a cruise company and a fine ship, and management of shipping companies were men that had a long and a good maritime background and knowledge. However, today cruise companies executives are mostly sourced from banks, accountancy agencies, major hotel chains, and their booking staff basically have no knowledge about the ship they sell, the best of them, that is if you are lucky, is some basic understanding of the hotel side of the ship.

However it is a joy to know that a small number of vintage ships are still operating today. As I stated above there are still some fine classic liners in service such as the Portuguese ships owned by Classic International Cruises, previously known as the MS Stockholm (Athena), MS Port Sydney (Princess Daphne), MS Port Melbourne (Princess Danae), SS Funchal MV Funchal) and MS Istra (Arion), and there are a number of other classic ships still in operation. Why not sail on one before they are all gone and experience the classic style of voyaging the globe! Visit: Classic Ocean Voyages®.

Carnival’s 88,000-GRT Carnival Spirit looks much like other new ships in Carnival Group of Companies

The same hull and overall design is used for new Cunard, HAL, and Costa ships

Sadly, the great ss Norway, was broken up on the beach at Alang, the SS Independence has floundered off the coast of Alang and she is finished, for she was abandoned by her owner, a breaker, and the QE2’s future is unsure as Dubai has run out of funds!

Classic Ships in Service

Below are photographs of a number of fine classic liners still in service. May they sail on for some time yet!

Pullmantur’s SS Oceanic – It is possible that she may sail on after SOLAS 2010

This Photograph is © Copyright - Raoul Fiebig Das Ruderhaus

Part Two

SS Rotterdam V

Another much loved liner, the SS Rotterdam is thankfully back in Dutch hands and was fuly restored and refurbished to her original glory. Is home in her home port Rotterdam and is open as a hotel, tourist attraction, etc. She was repainted in her original Holland America livery and is once again been registered in Rotterdam The Netherlands. SS Rotterdam is one of our great success stories, and after all the other classic liners have gone, she will live on as a fine example for our children and grandchildren to enjoy the beauty of the great liners of yesteryear!

SS Rotterdam is seen berthed at Gdansk Poland in March, 2006

She will return to her home port mid 2008 and be opened to the public

Part Three

Classic Liners V/s Floating Resorts

I have been asked, “Why do you bother promoting these old rust buckets?” If the question is asked, it is already obvious that there can be no reasonable answer. However, there are many who have appreciated cruising on a ship that was originally built as a Ocean Liner, ships that provide a true ocean-going experience. The truth is, on a Classic Liner you feel like you are on a ship, what those who love ships would call - “a real ship”. Today’s giant cruise ships are more like towering floating hotels, or better still apartment blocks (Condo’s) with a badly designed hull under tem, carrying up to 9,500 souls.

Holland America’s Oosterdam was designed by Carnival, and looks almost identical to the new ships built for Cunard, such as the QM2 and the new Queen Victoria, as well as the new P&O ships, Princess and Costa Cruises. Most have the same hull design and their superstructures are similar except the forward part of the superstructure and their funnels.

--Oosterdam can hardly be called an attractive ship

However, it must be said that the modern cruise ship do provide luxuries not heard of in the days of the Passenger Liner and obviously these floating apartment (condominium) blocks tend to suit many of the modern (young) cruise passenger, living in a new age. You can hear the exclamation, if we suggest they might enjoy a cruise on a classic ship, “what, no balcony?” No there are none, but then, unlike most modern Cruise Ships; a Classic Ship will have a spacious covered Promenade Deck, ideal for leisure and meeting your fellow passengers, this is not heard off on the modern ship.

In addition there is the external beauty of a Classic Ship. The first thing you will notice is that she has a sheer, whilst the decks of the modern Cruise Ship is perfectly flat, just like a land-locked building, which brings me to the main difference between a Classic Liner and the modern Cruise Ship. In the past they designed a Ship for its beauty and seaworthiness, and then they placed an hotel inside the ship. Today, maritime architects design a resort hotel and then add a hull.

These floating resorts, such as the Oosterdam seen above, have the appearance of an apartment block as shown above . This ship, like QM2, Costa Millennium and other new ships built for the Carnival Group of cruise companies share the same hull designed by Carnival.

A fine example of what was a classic liner, the TSS Fair Princess seen in Sydney—

She has been broken up at Alang India—

Photograph © R. Goossens--

Sadly, the elegant lines of the Classic Cruise Ship have long gone. It is for these reasons; I believe that some Classic Liners should be preserved, be it as a cruise ship or a floating hotel, museum and conference centre. There a number of projects currently under way, one of these has proved successful, the SS Rotterdam, which is currently being restored to her former glory.

TSS Fair Princess (above) was built as Cunard’s Carinthia. She was sold to become a failed a casino cruise ship in Asia named China Sea Discovery. Sadly, she has been sold and has now been broken up at Alang.

MV Doulos is seen arriving in Sydney Australia - 4 July 1999

Authors private collection

The author’s favourite ship is the MV Doulos, which was built in 1914 as the SS Medina. She was sold to become a migrant ship SS Roma and later she became the luxury Costa Lines cruise ship MV Franca C. At 92 years, MV Doulos is the world’s oldest fully operational passenger motor (ex steamship) ship afloat. She will sail on until 2010 when she will be sold, the author is currently negotiating between the ships owners and several companies and we hope to see her become either a private super yacht or a unique maritime museum, and a boutique hotel somewhere in the world!

PS: The author has since been able to save this unique ship and she has been sold to a contact of his in Singapore, Mr Eric Saw who is currently refitting her to become a hotel, restaurants and an maritime museum.

The elegant Union Castle Line RMS Windsor Castle seen arriving in Cape Town – (she has now been broken up)

Photograph courtesy Ian Shiffman

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