ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

News Updates

Provided by www.timeanddate.com/clocks/free.html

Please Note: This page is simply packed with news and information! You will find that certain ships will have news listed up near the top of the page, but there will be more on these ships, including previous and valuable news items listed further down the page. I suggest that you carefully go down the page, as it is updated frequently!

Late NEWS update

What is happening with the QE2?

June 28 - Please Note: there have been all sorts of rumors and doubts about what is happening with the great QE2, but then again, Dubai World and Nakheel are not exactly being very open and frank either. I do know that they contacted a broker about leasing her out for a period of time, for it was the broker who told me this, but the bad publicity may have upset and even shamed Dubai and now they will work on the ship anyway

June 18: I have been advised by a very reliable contact that the QE2 could be moved from Dubai soon and that a contract could be signed for her. What the deal is I do not know, but I have heard that it is to be for around 18 months. Thus, is it for the use of an accommodation vessel somewhere in the Arabian Gulf? That would sound like the most likely possibility? But nevertheless it is a worrying situation, for obviously Dubai is having other ideas about her and she is no longer their main aim, considering the massive turn down of tourism of late!

The Dubai registered MV Queen Elizabeth 2 arrives to her new home port

The flotilla into Dubai was accompanied by the Royal Naval Frigate HMS Lancaster

PLEASE NOTE

From 4 July to mid to 18 October there will be NO further Updates

However, all ships listed below are still relevant and some are in need of your attention

For the SS United States contact: Corey Abelove - Email: our_flagship@yahoo.com

MV Akdeniz contact Dr. Ata Bilgili – Email: bilgili@itu.edu.tr

All other ships contact Alex Naughton - Email: ajnaughton@hotmail.com

You will find this page is great reading

Ship in Blue = Saved / Green = part of the “Save a Classic Liner Campaign” ship

Red = Ships sadly lost to the breakers / Dark Blue = ships in doubt

Part One – Contains the following …

NEW … RMS ST Helena Saved!

MV Regal Empress – Updates – Latest - located off Mumbai

Save the SS United States Campaign– For sale

Save the MV Akdeniz Campaign – We are working n this ship

MV Doulos - Saved!

Royal Star, ex San Giorgio to Return to service

Chittagong Breakers - Closed down!

SS Rotterdam - Opening date announced

SS Oceanic (Independence) – Her future is still in the air?

Pullmantur SS Oceanic - Sold to PeaceBoat

QE2 in Dubai

Saga Rose to retire in December 2009

Black Prince to retire in September 2009

Ocean Odyssey – Saved and will cruise on!

Continuation stories of some of the ships above!

Part Two - contains “The Breakers Lament”

Stories we really do not want to read, but should!

Including the Maxim Gorkiy renamed Maxim M, now on the beach - including a photo

Also Please support Gopal Krishna’s webpage (Greenpeace & BAN India) at …

toxicswatch.blogspot.com – Thanks to all the hard work done - all breakers at Chittagong in Bangladesh

will now have to close down as ordered by the Supreme Court. Read the News Item below!

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Part One

RMS St Helena Saved

May 27: RMS St Helena is saved. Originally it was expected that the RMS St Helena, the last traditional mail ship in the world, was to be retired from service by the British Government and the St Helena Government in 2010 following completion of the new airport on St Helena. The ship is operated on behalf of the two Governments by Andrew Weir Shipping and sails from Cape Town to St Helena and Ascension Island. On occasion it also sails on the classic mail ship voyage from Portland to Cape Town via St Helena and Ascension Island. However it was recently confirmed to me by sources close to Andrew Weir Shipping that the RMS St Helena in fact will not be retired in 2010. This is because, due to the economic crisis, work on constructing the new airport has been significantly delayed and now will not be completed until 2019/2020. As a result the RMS St Helena will continue in service until at least 2019/2020 and possibly longer. So this last traditional mail ship sails on!

We are delighted by this good news and wish the RMS St Helena every success and it seems she has at least another decade of service. We would encourage people to patronise her voyages as much as they can in order to support this fine ship and her classic voyage experience. For further information on the RMS St Helena visit: www.rms-st-helena.com. (Sent in by Alex Naughton).

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MV Regal Empress Updates

MV Regal Empress seen off Mumbai 19 June 2009

Photographer unknown – See photo notes at bottom of page

Sent in by a Mr. Thurston UK

June 30: An update from Alex Naughton - Regal Empress has been slowly making her way from the Caribbean towards India since April 2009.

This is her timeline.

April 2 Sails from Freeport, Bahamas. Re-registered in St. Kitts

April 6 Arrives at Port of Spain, Trinidad

April 16 Departs Trinidad for final transatlantic voyage

April 26 Arrive at Las Palmas 8 AM. Depart Las Palmas 11 PM for Gibraltar

April 29 Arrives Gibraltar

April 30 Leaves Gibraltar at 12 PM - destined for Port Said. 13.9 knots

May 9 During her transit she reduces speed
- Flies the "Restricted Manoeuvrability" flag (possible mechanical problems?)
- Enters Greek anchorage near Kalamata

May 11 Departed Greek Anchorage near Kalamata, Greece at 6:15 PM travelling at 12.6 knots.

May 14 Arrived at Port Said around 5 AM

May 15 Transited Suez Canal in the 1st southbound convoy at 2:06 AM and exited canal at 3:10 PM.

May 19 Passed Port Sudan in the Red Sea

June 18 Anchors off Mumbai (Bombay)

By late June 2009 she was anchored off Mumbai (Bombay) awaiting her next move. However few breakers at Alang are expressing an interest in her due to her riveted hull and complex interiors making her much more time consuming and complicated to break up than more modern oil tankers and other ships they are receiving. Also they are unwilling to buy her at the prices currently stated for her. As a result it may be some time before she is beached at Alang.

Sold for Scrap and is due to depart Freeport

A sad moment as the Regal Empress slips out of Ft Lauderdale for the very last time

Photo sent in by David Romeinssen taken from Port cam

May 1: MV Regal Empress arrived off Gibraltar for supplies and bunkering at Noon on April 29 2009. Having allowed MV Queen Victoria to anchor, Regal Empress dropped anchored around 3 p.m. I have been advised that her port of registration has been changed to St Kitts/Nevis. Currently she has a crew of 24 on board. She departed at Noon on the 30thjfor Port Said and is expected to arrive there on May 6. Currently she is sailing around 14 knots. This news update was sent in by Neil Whitmore.

April 18: The latest news on Regal Empress is that she has departed Freeport on April 16 and is bound for India.

Regal Empress’ Final Goodbye’s

The crowded Decks of the Regal Empress as she departs Ft Lauderdale on March 6 for a 3 night Bahamas cruise

Photograph sent in by Ben Bondar Fl – USA

March 6 - was this her last voyage?

Photograph sent in by Ben Bondar Fl – USA

April 10: Regal Empress remains laid up in Freeport and there are no signs of her departure. On March 26, I requested Gopal Krishna of BAN/Greenpeace India to investigate her in regard the toxic waste that she carries and ensure that she will not be able to reach Indian waters. This investigation is currently underway! To date the Chittagong breakers have already been closed down as they do not have the facilities to break up ships with the kind of toxic wastes that most classic ships carry, and India also exposes Indian men, woman and even children who work for the breakers on their beaches to asbestosis and other diseases and thousands have died over the many years of their operation. We intend to see all breakers at Alang closed down! If a ship has to be broken up, let it be done at a breaker that has the proper facilities to handle toxic waste and protect their staff according the International standards!

We continue to hope and pray that by holding up Regal Empress, ex TSS Olympia that this fine Glasgow built liner may still be purchased and turned into a fine floating hotel and tourist attraction, for her interiors reflect an age that has now long gone, and is the ultimate of elegance!

March 26: I have been advised that the Regal Empress will depart Freeport on Saturday 30 March for Alang. The question is, “does she contain a great deal of toxic waste?”

March 17: (Australian time) MV Regal Empress quietly slipped out of Fort Lauderdale late at night on the 15thhand apparently was bound for Freeport in the Bahamas. However, I have been advised that she has been sold for scrap to an Indian ship breaker for a reported US$33 million.

March 11: Imperial Majesty Cruise Line's MV Regal Empress was berthed at Ft Lauderdale and I have been told that she id “technically still in operation.” However IMC has not officially announced what their intensions are, either with the company or the ships future. As I said, the company is still in business but IMC will no longer be sailing to the Bahamas. According to information received the Regal Empress was to depart Ft Lauderdale at midnight on March 13, but we were not supplied a destination, pray it is not Bangladesh or India, for that is just what IMC did with their last ship the SS OceanBreeze, the famed ex SS Southern Cross, which we also tried to save, but IMC did everything in their power to go against the grain! This time, they had the audacity to ask a ridiculous price of US$9 million for her and no self respecting company would pay that kind of money in 1. In this financial environment. 2. For a ship that is not worth half of that in scrap value.

February 7: MV Regal Empress departed Ft Lauderdale once again on March 6 for her 3 night cruise to the Bahamas and as the photographs above shows, she was fully laden. The question begs, was this her last or as we heard there have been problems with the replacement ship the Bahamas Celebration, thus will the Regal Empress sail on for a few more weeks yet? Time will tell! But, her end is near and sadly there are not many good signs at hand. One of the inspections done on the ship came back with some disturbing reports about her real condition. Things may look OK on the passenger side of things, but apparently, it is not as good behind the scenes! The word used by them was “She stinks” and I for one was extremely saddened to hear this for I was under the impression that she was very well cared for, but that was at least until IMC got rid of the man (and his team) who really cared for classic ships - IMC’s previous President Mr. Arthur Pollack! Now, they are going for an ex car ferry and a new company name, divorcing themselves from a company that has made a proud name in the industry, a great shame! I will certainly not be supporting their future cruise operations on my cruise site as I have done with the OceanBreeze in the past and Regal Empress!

Commentary:

As I have already reported there have been several inspections of the ship by interested parties, but I am still unable to disclose details. However, some of the negotiations had not gone well and it is altogether possible that she will go to the breakers. IMC has never been good negotiators, we all remember the SS OceanBreeze and how she was treated, she was worth only a quick dollar and there was no little for her historical value! But, sadly, the modern business word only thinks money and not the future of things to come. But eventually they will have to live with their decisions and the world will judge them! IMC, do the right thing and give her a chance, at least lay her up if you have to, and do not be so ridiculous and ask US$9 million for her, both you and the shipping world knows she is beautiful ship, but she not worth that! We in the maritime world all know her real value and there are those willing to pay above her scrap value, give them a chance!

It is STILL my sincere hope that some enterprising company will consider this superbly built ship, for she is in top condition as a possible floating Hotel, Tourist, Convention Centre and Maritime Museum. My choice would be Glasgow in Scotland where she was built, but, we need someone with a vision! Email me: info@ssmaritime.com.

The END of “Imperial Majesty Cruises”

MS Bahamas Celebration

Celebration Cruise Line

When MV Regal Empress finally departs the IMC Fleet this month, the company will no longer exist as it is today as they have been reformed under the banner of “Celebration Cruise Line” and they have commenced their new site showing the 1981 built MS Bahamas Celebration on www.bahamaships.com. Although this site is still being worked on and is obviously not complete, it is showing the direction of the company. They are currently using the same Regal Empress page for the departures, etc. But, it does spell the end of days for our beloved classic MV Regal Empress, ex MS Caribe 1, MS Caribe, TSS Olympia!

Enter HERE for further NEWS of the TSS Olympia / Regal Empress

(Located down the page)

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SS United States to be listed for Sale by NCL

Please support the SS United States Conservancy and visit their website at:

http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org

May: The by the shipbroker for the SS United States has released the official "terms of sale" for the ship. These are as follows:

"Historical Ocean Liner "SS UNITED STATES", LOA: 990' (301.75m), Beam: 101.5' (30.94m), Built: USA 1952, Propulsion: Geared Steam Turbine, GRT/NRT (as built): 53,330 / 29,465. Vessel is inspectable (sic) at Philadelphia where it has been moored since 1996. All areas above the engine rooms have been stripped-out while engine and machinery rooms remain mainly intact. Propellers have been removed from the shafts and are stowed on deck. Lifeboats and all outfitting have been removed. Sale is for non-demolition only and "as is/where is". Sale is restricted to U.S. citizens or U.S. entity buyers. The vessel is currently registered on the United States National Registry of Historic Places. Asking price is USD 5,000,000 All details and information are about, given in good faith, but without any guarantee whatsoever of accuracy or completeness."

In addition to the above it is now apparent that the NCL Corporation/Maritime Investments Inc have reduced their original asking price from a hefty US$20 million to a much more reasonable US$5 million. This will at least assist any future investor towards her restoration as this will be considerable and will be at least US$200 million, thus 15 million dollar reduction is a start!

The SS United States Consortium is working hard towards "a vision" for this grand liners future and they will assist with the ongoing promotion of the ship on behalf of the potential investors of the liner. It needs to be noted that I myself made the first contact with the SS United States Consortium and suggested that we, that is the “Save the Classic Liners Campaign” work together with them in support toward saving this great ship. The officials of the Consortium have taken up this offer and we are now in pursuit of seeing America’s greatest ever Trans Atlantic Liner saved for the future in order that American Maritime History will be preserved forever!

March 16: The Malaysian based Star (Genting Casino) Cruises which is the parent company of NCL, or “Norwegian Cruise Line” has now advised “that important conditions have been imposed on the terms of the ship's sale.” And that “the ship will only be sold to a US buyer and will not be sold for scrap.”

You can donate to the SS United States cause by visiting this page: http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/SSUS/Donate.html. Do it before it is TOO LATE!

Please support the SS United States Conservancy and visit their website at: http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org.

The vessel has now officially been listed with the Florida-based ship brokerage, Southport Atlantic. Contact information is as follows: ships@Southportatlantic.com. However, only prospective buyers who have a view of restoring this great liner in some way should apply!

One of the author’s worries is that NCL sold the SS Independence to and US buyer, which turned out to be the “California Manufacturing Company.” However, this company was an in-house front, for they had their offices in the NCL Head office in Miami. It is this firm that sold the then renamed Oceanic to an Indian who only buys ships for the breakers. Thankfully, due to the work of the American branch of the “Save the Classic Liner Campaign” and BAN, the owners was fined and the ship could not be resold to the breakers and is currently used as an workers accommodation ship in the Arabian Gulf. But, line the NCL SS Norway, she could also suddenly end up illegally beached at Alang and one she is on the beach, it is all too late.

What am I saying is; this statement by Star Cruises/NCL means little to nothing, for we need to be very wary, should it happen, who the buyer really is. As long it is not just another NCL ploy like the last one!

February 10: It has been announced that the great SS United States will be offered for sale by Hong Kong-based, but Malaysian owned Genting Casino Corp, Star Cruises, will alarm countless of thousands supporters of this great liner. We can only hope that even in this situation of the financial crisis that the ship will be obtained for preservation, but it is feared that she could still be sold for scrap and destroyed. Obviously this ship is America’s National flagship and we hope that it will motivate a massive public awareness in the USA and around the world amongst ship lovers, on behalf of a national treasure that should be preserved for its historic and cultural value. The ship could become the centerpiece of a large public works project that creates jobs and generates tax revenues. Although she is listed on the USA’s National Register of Historic Places we hope that she might have a small degree of protection. But will this stop her from being scrapped if her owners decide to sell her for that purpose. We have seen what has happened to the Great SS Norway, and SS Oceanic, ex Independence another ship they promised to return to service in the NCL America fleet. We cannot trust NCL, thus, America stand up and be counted NOW! Why not write to President Barack Obama at the Whitehouse by using this form: www.whitehouse.gov/contact (500 characters), or write a letter:

President Barack Obama: The White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Washington, DC 20500. United States of America.

I have contacted the President via another means that and I hope that my words will find a soft spot in his heart!

Please donate to the SS United States cause by visiting this page: http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/SSUS/Donate.html. Do it before it is TOO LATE!

Please support the SS United States Conservancy and visit their website at: http://ssunitedstatesconservancy.org.

Visit my SS United States feature

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NEW - The ssMaritime

“Save the MV Akdeniz Campaign”

The 1955 German built Turkish Passenger Liner

A superb view of the MS Akdeniz in 2009 – It is amazing, but her superstructure remains 100% as built

Photograph by & © Dr. Ata Bilgili - Tuzla, Istanbul

This superbly German built ship sailed for 42 years for the Turkish Maritime Lines in 1955 and sailed on until 1997 when she was acquired by the ITU Maritime Faculty connected to the Istanbul Teknik University to contain working labourites and also as an accommodation ship for their students.

I am working closely with Dr. Ata Bilgili of the Maritime Faculty at the Istanbul Technical University in Tuzla, Istanbul on this project and we will work towards a plan to ensure that this ship will somehow remain safe in the future, but we need you help as always!

A good friend and maritime historian Peter Knego visited the Akdeniz in 1998 and he wrote: “In June of 1998, the Akdeniz had just been taken over by the Istanbul Teknik University in nearby Tuzla. Her new owners were kind enough to fetch me from my hotel and take me to this graceful beauty. I spent hours on board marvelling at her pristine wood-panelled lounges and staterooms before I was allowed several passes around the ship.” (Slightly edited).

There is no doubt, but this ship has been superbly maintained internally and she is a jewel worth keeping, for there are simply no passenger ships left in the world that have not been rebuilt externally in one way or another. The only changes that can be found on her are the removal of her derricks and several electric cranes, which were no longer needed when she became a full time cruise ship in the 1980’s. However, her superstructure is as I say above, 100% original, the only external changes that can be seen today is the change of her livery with her lifeboats painted red, and that was done whilst she was still in service as a cruise ship, and now she has a new blue funnel. The rest of her is all original!

This ship has all the makings of a fine Maritime Museum and/or a Boutique Hotel, and I believe that this superb German built ship could either be located in Germany, but better still remain in her homeland - Turkey! Have any ideas or are you a company looking for a really good ship, then contact me per email! Please note: I am aware that she needs dry-docking and some work done.

I have a new two page feature online with many photographs and details of the MS Akdeniz, her sister MS Karadeniz, and details about their three smaller but very similar sisters known as the Izmir class, which were built at the same time in 1955/56.

Enter the NEW MS Akdeniz feature

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One of My successes - SAVED! - The 1914 built

MV Doulos

… to sail on past SOLAS 2010

MV Doulos departing Geelong Victoria Australia - bound for Albany Western Australia

Photograph from the Pilot boat, by & © Andrew Mackinnon

Whilst I spent a month on the Doulos last year I discussed with the captain and the ships director, as well as the HQ in Germany a certain idea that I had This is something that her owners have now taken up and in light of this they had meetings with RINa and MMA in Malta last week and a verbal decision has been reached that she can sail on, but she will do so under certain restrictions. Thus, I am happy to announce that my loved ship will be kept in service by OM Ships until at least her 100thjbirtday in August 2014, thereafter a suitable buyer is already in the wings, thus she will have a home to go to in 2014! The oldest motor passenger ship in service has been saved!

Doulos in Brisbane July 31, 2009 & the Author ready to board and spend a month on her!

Enter the Doulos Feature here

Please Note: This feature is located on my ssmaritime.net site

Each page has a link back to the Main Index on ssmaritime.com

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Another success - Saved

Royal Star ex San Giorgio to cruise again!

The delightful MV Royal Star seen at night

Author’s collection

April 2009: The African Safari Club has announced on their website that MV Royal Star will be returned to service after repairs and refit has been completed. Itineraries and a new brochure is currently being worked on and will be released within a month or so. During the past twelve months this fine small cruise ship has had a difficult time, but we are sure that she will now have a long and a happy future! Visit www.africansafariclub.com.

February 10: MV Royal Star built as the superb Adriatica Line 4,755 GRT liner MS San Giorgio in 1956 has been laid up in Mombasa, Kenya following an ongoing dispute with her owner and TUI Air Leasing over non payment of her crew by African Safari Club. Earlier this year the ship was seized by the Kenyan Authorities on behalf of her owners. We understand that Royal Star is in an excellent condition and her original FIAT diesel engines remain in full working order. However, we have been advised that she only has one operational propeller, for the other one has been lost and the shaft has broken anyway. Thus it is unlikely that she will return to to any kind of service without expensive repairs to replace her lost propeller and broken shaft. She can however be made operational again for a delivery voyage working on just one propeller. Considering her superb interiors and condition, her best chance could be for the acquisition for use in a static role as a boutique hotel ship in a suitable location. The Royal Star will be auctioned by the Kenyan Authorities in Mombasa on behalf of her owners, TUI Air Leasing. We understand that the auction will take place on the February 27, 2009.

February 28: We understand that the ship Royal Star was sold to TUI Air Leasing at the auction yesterday, which we believe was a measure to end the dispute with African Safari Club and stabilise legal issues, but TUI, part of the African Safari Club group, now wish to sell her and we have been advised that the asking price could be around $2 million.

A postcard of the Adriatica Lines MS San Giorgio

Author’s collection

Enter the MS San Giorgio – Royal Star feature

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Also read about the “Save the MV Baragoola Campaign” & Feature

For full details of an all Australian Campaign!

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We have finally destroyed the Chittagong breakers, Alang is next!

March 18: ssMaritime’s “Save the Classic Liners campaign” and Gopal Krishna of BAN and Greenpeace have been consistently working towards closing down the environmental disaster in India and Bangladesh. Today we have some good news and hope that this kind of decision will soon spread to India!

Yesterday the Bangladeshi High Court has ordered the closure within two weeks of all breakers’ yards operating without an environmental clearance. This means that all ship breakers in Chittagong will have to close, for as I am told that not one on the 36 yards in Chittagong has an “environmental clearance.” Thus one of the world’s largest breaking industries will come to a close within the next few weeks and they are concerned about the ships that are waiting to be broken up at Chittagong. The industry will obviously appeal as they employ some 250,000 people, all who must have a death wish considering the conditions they have to work in.

The court was ruling on a petition filed by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association. Judges ordered that no ship on the Greenpeace “dangerous ships list” be allowed into the country, according to reports by the platform and local media.

They also banned end-of-life vessels from being imported without having been pre-cleaned of hazardous materials such as asbestos, PCBs, heavy metals and oily sludge. Other government departments were chided for letting the trade take place unhindered despite the absence of permits.

However it is time for the world to stand up and be counted for peoples lives are at stake both in Bangladesh and in India as they are being abused by ship breakers having to work in conditions that are beyond unbelievable - “It is indeed time for the rest of the world and in particular the IMO to similarly draw a line in the sand and once and for all demand an end to the dumping of toxic ships on the beaches of the poorest countries of the world.” Much of the criticism aimed at Bangladeshi (and Indian) yards is connected to the practice of beaching, whereby ships are run aground at low tide. They are then pulled apart by hand by teams of itinerant workers in poor conditions, often without gloves or footwear, for little pay. In addition in some cases, and I have personal reports of this from those who have visited the yards, even children work at these yards in the most horrific of conditions!

Gopal wrote on March 22ndj“The Bangladesh order has created in ripples in India as well. It appears that the ship breakers in Alang knew that such an order was expected in Bangladesh. One of them has been asking me about it, and another one has sent me defamation threat for writing articles against ongoing contamination and occupational hazards.”

I am currently working with Gopal at stopping the MV Regal Empress departing Freeport and sailing for Alang as she has a load of toxic waste on board!

Please support Gopal for the superb job he is doing saving so many lives of men women and children. Go and visit his webpage. Also, he is in need of funding, thus if you are able to assist him, please contact me for donation details.

Visit Gopal’s webpage (Greenpeace & BAN India) at … toxicswatch.blogspot.com

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Saved

SS Rotterdam to be opened in July 2009

SS Rotterdam seen at her permanent mooring whilst work is still underway

March 31: SS Rotterdam will be officially opened as a Hotel and Tourist complex on July 27, 2009. She will feature 257 staterooms in three categories, as well as a list of superb lounges and bars that have been restored to their original state. Her 2 fine restaurants will also open as will the theatre and some 6 shops. In addition there are 31 boardrooms, 20 conference rooms. Ashore there is space for some 583 cars. It is estimated as reported in a Dutch Newspaper that well over 733,000 people will visit the ship each year, both as hotel guests and in the various other departments, be it in the business facilities, dinners, or the museum, etc. We wish SS Rotterdam a long and happy future, for t has taken a long time to get her to this point and a great deal of time and effort by some very hard working people. I am glad that I had a small part to play, being one of the first to commence the “Save the SS Rotterdam Campaign” on September 21, 2000 the very day the SS Rembrandt, ex Rotterdam was laid up at Freeport as Premier Cruises had gone into bankruptcy. This campaign received massive support from all over the world which I gladly led to the Dutch Campaign when it gained momentum at a later date as it was being so well handled by President Klaas Krijnen and I continued to support their work from my site. Therefore, I feel very close links to the Rotterdam and I still have a close relationship with the ships current owners!

A view of SS Rotterdam - in the background is the famed “Euro Mast” which was built

with a replica of SS Rotterdam’s Bridge, which can be seen just above the tree line

More about the SS Rotterdam down the page!

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“Save the Classic Liners Campaign”

Has won a victory over the illegal export of the …

SS Oceanic, ex SS Independence

“Save the Classic Liners Campaign” beats the odds!

SS Oceanic seen off Dubai in 2008

Photograph by Jonathan Thurston (UK)

January 29: The owners of the SS Oceanic have been fined for illegally exporting the SS Oceanic, ex Independence as she contains substantial amounts of toxic waste. The two related companies were fines US$518,500. As you will read below from an article written by the EPA - Environmental Protection Agency, “Save the Classic Liners Campaign was heavily involved with warning the authorities and our American coordinator Corey Abelove and Erik James did a splendid job! Parts of the article may be read below. However, it can be read in full and a link is provided on the News Updates pages.

“In February of last year, Basel Action Network (BAN) and the “Save the Classic Liners Campaign” tipped-off the United States Environmental Protection Agency when they discovered that Global Marketing Systems, Inc. (GMS), headed up by a world famous cash-buyer of obsolete ships, Mr. Anil Sharma, had taken ownership of the SS Oceanic (former SS Independence) and had the old passenger liner towed out of San Francisco Bay with the intent of scrapping the vessel on the beaches of South Asia. BAN demanded that the U.S. government take action to have the ship returned to a U.S. port, but the EPA claimed they lacked the authority to have the ship recalled. Nevertheless, the EPA took legal action against GMS for violations of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), the law which prohibits the exportation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a persistent toxic pollutant used in the paints, insulation and gasketry in older ships.”

“The toxic trade watchdog group BAN declared victory today after a U.S business involved in sending hundreds of ships to the infamous ship breaking beaches of Bangladesh and India was forced to pay $518,500 and certify that they would not undertake such actions again. BAN warned, however, that there was still ample opportunity for unscrupulous operators to exploit loopholes to export very toxic U.S. ships to the South Asian beaches where some of the world’s poorest laborers are forced to toil without adequate protections against toxic substances, asbestos, explosions and accidents. BAN is a member organization of the NGO Platform on Ship breaking, an international coalition seeking to ban beaching and unsustainable ship scrapping.”

“Soon after EPA initiated its enforcement action against Global and its sister organization Global Shipping LLC, GMS requested a new application to the Maritime Administration seeking approval to sell the vessel but changing the purpose of export from disposal to continued use of the vessel to accommodate labor workers in the Arabian Gulf area. Today, the whereabouts of the Oceanic remains uncertain at this time but so far it has not been seen in the breaking yards.”

*The above is from the EPA Environmental Protection Agency News release. For full details

visit: www.ban.org/ban_news/2009/090129_victory_declared.html

It is thought that she is currently somewhere in the Dubai area, or at least in the Arabian Gulf region, and it is said that she is being used as a workers accommodation facility. However, her future does remain uncertain, for her owners in the past have only obtained ships mostly for Bangladeshi breakers and we are absolutely sure that NCL knew that!

Visit my SS Independence feature

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Saved

Pullmantur’s SS Oceanic – SOLD

SS Oceanic seen in her new role with PeaceBoat

April: PeaceBoat has taken delivery of the SS Oceanic and thankfully has retained her original name. Thus the name Oceanic has been on her hull since the day of her launching, which is very rare as most ships are renamed when they join a new company. One other ship that managed to retain her original name for most of her life was the Italian Liners Ausonia until Louis Cruise Lines transferred her to one of their Greek subsidiaries and she was sadly renamed. Today she is the Aegean II.

SS Oceanic seen in Le Havre France on 1 June 2009

Photograph © Philippe Brebant France

March: Pullmantur Cruises has sold the superb SS Oceanic to the PeaceBoat organization. She was destored in Barcelona before heading to her new owners in April. After that she will join the Peaceboat fleet.

Pullmantur Cruises SS Oceanic

Photograph is by & © Copyright - Raoul Fiebig Das Ruderhaus

Visit my SS Oceanic Feature on ssMaritime

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The Latest on the QE2 in Dubai

March 28: Further to the item below. A report received from Dubai states that currently a decision is being made what to do with the ship. If to make her ready to open her up as is, or simply lay her up until the financial situation clears up and then refit her as originally planned. Recently, QE2 was taken out to sea in order for her engines to have a good run and ensure that everything remains fully operational. But, at this time “there is no question of her being broken up,” states my source.

March 24: It was reported by Joe Weisenthal the Editor of “Clusterstock” for the “businessinsider.com” that it appears that “the dream is dead. According to our mole in Dubai, the QEII is being dismantled. There's no business for the hotel, and the idled ship is just sitting there, costing money and polluting the water. Hence, workers are actively pulling it apart, a sad end for such a grand ship.”

Please Note: UPDATED - Personally I believe that it may just be that the ship is being cleared of items and being made ready for some kind of renovations as the company is considering opening her without any major renovations. However, I decided to place the item online for the mere reason that we all can keep a close eye on her and ensure that we will know what is happening, is and when it happens. Thus IF you hear anything of interest in relation to the QE2 - please email me!

There is more on the QE2 down the page!

Reuben Goossens

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Saga to Retire the Saga Rose in December 2009

Saga Rose seen in Singapore March 14, 2008

Saga Cruises have announced that they will discontinue the services of the Saga Rose, built as the Sagafjord, when she returns to Southampton on December 6 2009. Sadly, due to SOLAS 2010 we will see many fine ships vanish from our waters, ships that we have come to love and appreciate. What of her future? With the current economic situation there is little hope of her being taken up by another company and having vasts amount of money spent on her to bring her inline with SOALS 2010, thus, we may assume that she will most likely be also be bound for the breakers. Sad but true! There has been no news as yet in regard to her sister the 25,000 GRT Saga Ruby.

Saga Rose seen in Singapore March 14, 2008

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Fred Olsen to Retire the Black Prince

Fred Olsen postcard of the Black Prince

From the author’s private collection

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has announced that they will retire the Black Prince in October 2009 will operate a series of four Farewell Cruises starting on 9th September from Liverpool, and ending on 16th October in Southampton.

The 441 passenger ship was built for the company by Flender Werft in Lubeck in 1966 and entered service for Fred. Olsen Ltd on 19th October, 1966. Her original role was as a joint passenger/freight ferry operating between the UK and the Canary Islands during the winter and on the UK and Norway run during the summer months. Then in 1987 the ship was fully converted to become a full-time cruise ship and she commenced full time cruising in February that year. She soon edged her way into the British market and eventually she became a major part of the cruise market in the UK.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines managing director Mike Rodwell said: “This is a very sad announcement for the company to make as Black Prince is one of the best loved ships that caters to the UK market, and many passengers have cruised on her so often that even they have lost track of the number of holidays they have taken. We know that there will be thousands of passengers who have sailed on her who will be very sad on that final day.”

Black Prince’s Farewell Season will begin on 9th September 2009 with a ten night “Round the UK cruise” departing Liverpool. She will then operate a three night mini cruise from Liverpool to Southampton. The season continues with a 10 night Historic Home Ports cruise from Southampton back to Southampton; followed by her final cruise of 14 nights to the Canary Islands. The ship returns to Southampton on Friday 16th October, 2009. What will her fate be? The most likely outcome is the breakers as there will be few who would take her on, as she has no great historic value and she is not the world’s prettiest of ships! But, a ship that has served many holiday makers very well indeed and that is what matters! She will be missed by many!

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One of our successes - Saved

MS Ocean Odyssey Saved!

MS Ocean Odyssey seen in Mauritius

February 13: I have been speaking with Mr. Anshuman Chakraborty who is the General manager of “Indian Ocean Cruises Mauritius Ltd,” operators of the 5,500 GRT MS Ocean Odyssey, ex MTS Jason, MTS Eros (1965), and as of yesterday they have decided to go ahead and dry dock her and make her ready for reclassification to fully upgrade her to the SOLAS 2010 requirements.

Thus, the great news I have to tell all my readers is that here we have one classic ship we will be able to cruise on for many more years into the future! And having been and cruised the Indian Ocean. All I can say, if you have not been, you have no idea what you are missing on. When the ship is ready to sail again, get ready to fly to Mauritius and do a cruise’n’stay package, it is simply fantastic! My last visit to beautiful Mauritius was sadly too brief, it last year whilst on Oriana’s world voyage from Australia to the UK.

MTS Jason seen here in Epirotiki Lines livery, she also sailed for Sun Line with a dark blue hull

Read my MS Ocean Odyssey feature

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SS Rotterdam to be opened in the Summer

January 29: Thankfully we have received some good news from The Netherlands that SS Rotterdam will be opened as a hotel and tourist centre by the summer. “Rederij de Rotterdam” Mr. Lucas Petit who is also the spokesman for the ships’ catering industries activities said “that each day some three to four hundred people are working on the ship to complete her.” However, he also said that “An exact completion date is not known as yet, but it will be around the summer.”

The ship will have a variety of hotel rooms in three various styles, traditional hotel, traditional cabin and longer stay accommodations with kitchenettes. There will be a variety of Restaurants, Cafes and other food outlets onboard.

Mr. Petit said the constant news late last year regarding the political situation and the cost blowout, will have no influence on the quality and safety of work on board as they have invested about another 200 million Euros. The wharf and all its special infrastructure is currently being completed including all the specially constructed gangways, etc.

Thus, after the many scares that we have had over the past months, we can sigh a breath of fresh air and the SS Rotterdam is safe in her homeport! “Live Long and Prosper” old girl!

SS Rotterdam home I Rotterdam and safe

December 15: I have been advised that Rederij de Rotterdam (Woonbron has not been able to find a buyer for the 80% share of the SS Rotterdam although they had set Monday the 15^th as the deadline. Although the Director of Woonbron, Martien Kromwijk does not wish to make any official statements, he did say “We will say nothing before the ink of the signatures has dried” whatever that means?

The question we obviously ask is her future in danger as described below, for if she does go up for auction, this could well mean she could leave the Netherlands for another destination. However, no one will pay the kind of money that is owing on her, thus with that in mind she should be safe and should sit there and the government would be wiser to allow the business plan to take of and allow her to commence to make money with the opening of the museum and hotel, etc. Let’s hope for the best!

Early December: The latest news from Rederij de Rotterdam owners of SS Rotterdam, and the Dutch Government’s involvements in the recent developments with the ship. This story has been ongoing for a while, but I decided not to place it online hoping for a favourable outcome. But, now here it is in full.

Minister Ebarhard van der Laan has attacked Woonbron (owners of Rederij de Rotterdam) again and has stated that the company must sell off 80% off the SS Rotterdam interests by the end of December. Woonbron had stated that they had intended to sell 6000 of their homes, but the Government has said big no to this plan. We need to understand that Woonbron's owns what we call council homes which are council/Government subsidised, therefore Woonbron comes under certain Government restrictions. This was why I was personally originally surprised why they purchased the ship as I am of Dutch birth and knew who they were!

However, the Director of Woonbron, Martien Kromwijk has made the statement “That funds will be in order as soon as possible, and that the banks will arrange that those who are owned monies will be fully paid.” He also feels that by the “end of the year Woonbron should be able to sell 80% ownership of the SS Rotterdam and retain her in Rotterdam, as she is about to be opened to the public and commence earning.”

Let’s hope that Martien Kromwijk is right and that an investor is found in time, for the Dutch Government could take the ship from them and put her up for auction, which was one of their threats, however, I feel that the public would be against this cause of action and it would certainly not be a popular move!

SS Rotterdam arrives Home!

SS Rotterdam arrives home in the evening on Monday August 4, 2008

The superbly refitted SS Rotterdam finally arrived in her home port of Rotterdam at 8.45pm on August 4. Obviously this is a great day for the ssMaritime “Save the Classic Liners Campaign” as it commenced the “Save the SS Rotterdam Campaign” on the very day the then SS Rembrandt, ex SS Rotterdam, was laid up in Freeport on September 21, 2000 by receivers of the bankrupt Premier Cruises. Although sometime later I handed the campaign over to the “Steamship Rotterdam Foundation” in the Netherlands, which was, and again is headed by safe hands of Mr. Klaas Krijnen.

Soon the first stage of the ship will be opened to the public as further refurbishing work continues, and accommodations will be opened as we get closer to the 2009 spring/summer tourist season.

A fine view of the stern of the SS Rotterdam, proudly flying the Dutch flag

SS Rotterdam has been faithfully restored in Germany and accommodations available are either in new accommodations, where two cabins have been combined, or in a typical cabin. There are even special accommodations for student long term stays. SS Rotterdam has become one of the great success stories of the Save the Classic Liner Campaign and the Steamship Rotterdam Foundation!

Visit my SS Rotterdam V feature

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More on the QE2

Queen Elizabeth 2 is seen here lying idle in Dubai - January 2009

Harm Brink of www.nedcruise.info said he saw no life on board whatsoever

The Arab destruction planned for the QE2

January: There has been much debate about what is to happen to the Grand Dame of the sea, some say it will not be that bad, many have over reacted, etc. Well it all depends if you are a a genuine ship lover or not, it is as simple as that. I say if you remove the funnel and place it beside the ship as a kiosk and build a new structure of glass, that is doing the great dame an injustice for she will no longer be the original QE2, well the one with the final funnel configuration anyway! If you start pulling her engines, her heart out, she is dead, and even the Japanese and Chinese were more gracious to the SS Oriana. They were wise and cut a massive hole in the floor and placed a glass floor above it so all could see the engine room. That was innovative! I have seen recent plans that have been sent to me from Dubai, which are highly secretive and come from a source I cannot disclose for he will loose his position, but, take my word for it, I do not like what I see! Yes, there will be some features that will be restored, the Queens Room and other venues, and they are making a big fuss about what they will keep and even improve, but they keep quiet about what they are about to destroy and that is a whole lot more than they let on!

December 9: Due to the financial crisis and with tourism slowing in many parts of the world, including to Dubai, I have been advised that Nakheel, owners of the QE2 are considering seriously changing their plans in relation to the ship. It had been expected to lengthen her, by placing a mid section in her and whilst doing so removing her engines which would be replaced by a Broadway style Theatre. 95% of her cabins in the hull were to be stripped in order to have hotel suites built. All lifeboats were to be removed and her upper decks were to be extended and glazed in, as well as her funnel taken down to the wharf and a new glass penthouse funnel like construction to replace it. Also her after deck (stern) was to be squared-off to facilitate a helicopter landing pad. Thus now it appears that Nakheel may have shelved the reconstruction and the Financial Times has reported that Nakheel are laying off at least 500 employees.

We need to understand that she could now be in danger!

We need to be careful before we rejoice, for the first thing that may come to mind is, “Great she will stay as is, and we will get to see the real QE2.” Don’t be too sure of that, for it is all together possible that they will sell her for scrap. Just hope and pray that Nakheel and the UAE will continue their project, even if they hold off for a while, and hopefully they will decide to keep her as original as possible, without changing her beautiful self and that will automatically bring in many more people. By changing her the way they planned, they will only keep true ship lovers far away from visiting the ship and they will build up a dislike for the nation!

November 27: Received an email from Dubai today to say that Nakheel has committed to completely preserve the following three venues, but, no others are on the list. The venues to be preserved are. 1. The one we already knew, the “Queens Room” – 2. The Bridge – 3. the Captains Quarters. And that is it, meaning all other lounges and venues may well disappear, just as we predicted. In addition, the removal of the lifeboats now no longer seems to be on the unconfirmed list and they will be removed! A sad day for all who really love the great ocean liners, and I am talking those who have a true knowledge of days long gone, not just the cruise ships days, for tmost of them can hardly be counted as great ships!

Seventy two year old Commodore John Burton-Hall, who was the Captain of the QE2 in the 1990s, said that she could have carried on sailing for many more years. “I suppose it is better that she goes to Dubai than ending up being scrapped from a beach in Pakistan. But it won’t be the QE2 as we know her now.” Glasgow’s Robert Lightbody’s father maintained QE2’s engines, he said: “I’m now thinking it would have been better had she been scrapped. Lots of long-term crew agree with that. What annoys me most is the way Cunard implied that she was going to be preserved intact.” You are right Robert, that was the impression we were all given, but Dubai had other ideas and she will be a shell and I honestly think she will end up being a joke! You are right Robert, but it was really Carnival remember they run the show, but under the name of Cunard), I agree with you it may have been better if she had an honourable end of some sort, for now she is being mutilated and will be like a super luxury Dubai freak show. Like you, I am not impressed!

QE2 arrives in Dubai - November 26

November 26: How ironic, exactly forty years to the day the QE2 went on her first sea trials on November 26, 1968, she arrived in Dubai, United Arab Emirates to begin a new life as a luxury hotel accompanies by a flotilla of yachts and small craft and a flyover of an Emirates Airbus A380.

Now the QE2 has arrived in Dubai the details of her transformation has been confirmed and they are much the same as I described early last year. 1. Her funnel would be removed and replaced by a smoked glass penthouse with a swimming pool. This funnel like building will be shaped somewhat like her original funnel. Won’t that be an interesting sight, a glass structure? The current “badly corroded funnel” will be removed and relocated dockside as described earlier. 2. All her cabins will be “ripped out” and will be replaced with “200 spacious luxury hotel rooms and 130 residential apartments.” 3. QE2’s engines are to be removed and sold. 4. The engine room spaces will be redesigned to be used for various entertainment centres including a cinema. There are many other changes to be made, far too many to be included her, although some have not as yet been fully confirmed. One of these is the removal of all her lifeboats and that Boat Deck will be partially glazed in. Mr. Manfred Ursprunger, chief executive of the Nakheel Co. Hotels, stated: "We have to pull her apart and rebuild her to make her viable as an entertainment venue for at least the next 50 years."

However there is some good news, at least the “Queens Room” will survive and it will be restored to its original splendour. When the ship arrived in Dubai Captain Ian McNaught was advised that Nakheel would present one of her anchor’s to her past home port of Southampton. I say “past” for in Southampton – Southampton had already been removed as she is no longer a British ship, but an Arab ship!

No matter what they will do to the QE2, there is one thing they can never change, and that is her hull. Yes they may place a few more openings for entry purposes, but her long and slender hull will survive and externally, we will always know that this was once the great Trans Atlantic Steam Ship and Cruise Chip, the SS/MS Queen Elizabeth 2.

A postcard of the SS Queen Elizabeth 2

I sailed on her “shakedown voyage”, which sadly soon broke down (How time passes!)

Author’s private collection

Goodbye to the last true Cunard Queen of the Atlantic. QE2, we will miss the sheer elegance and beauty you have brought to our ports over the years! I have sailed on you on various occasions, but, I for one vow to never visit you in Dubai, for sadly you will be a mere shadow of what you once were, a great Queen that sailed the Seas! Thus I hereby say a personal Farewell!

November 25: QE2 is due to arrive at Dubai Port Rashid tomorrow. Upon arrival she will be greeted by a flotilla of yachts and leisure craft, However, the world's largest yacht in the flotilla will be the “Dubai”, which is owned by the ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum. In addition there will be a flyover of an Emirates Airbus A380. The QE2 will be led to her refit dock by a Royal Navy frigate.

November 12: Departure UPDATE - Thousands of well-wishers gathered to farewell the world’s most famous ocean liner, Cunard Line’s QE2, on her final departure from her homeport of Southampton yesterday - Tuesday November 11.

After 39 years of service, which have seen QE2 sail 5.9 million nautical miles, complete 806 transatlantic crossings, carry more than 2.5 million guests, undertake 25 world cruises and answer her country’s call during the Falklands Campaign, QE2 sailed from Southampton on her final voyage to Dubai where she will become a first class hotel and entertainment centre.

In a farewell address, her Master, Captain Ian McNaught, said the QE2 had strived to serve Southampton and her country with flair and fortitude for 40 years. "But now her sea days are done and she passes on to a new life in a new home. We wish her well,” Capt McNaught said. "On behalf of QE2 I bid Southampton farewell and thank you for all the affection you have shown to her in all these years. Southampton I salute you."

As part of the farewell celebrations, a million poppies were dropped over the ship from a Tiger Moth to commemorate Remembrance Day, to mark QE2’s role in the Falklands, and note the fact that her final departure was on November 11.

November 11: Yesterday, the Solent Coastguard were alerted that the MS Queen Elizabeth 2 had run aground at the entrance of Southampton Water early in the morning. Five tugs were rushed to the scene to assist her off the sandbank and she was soon pulled off just after 6.15am. A spokesman said: “She has been refloated and is now under way under her own power and heading to her berth in Southampton.” - "She had only partially gone aground, and the tugs pulled her off."

The QE2 was heading back to Southampton from a 15-night Mediterranean cruise with a full complement of 1,700 passengers. A Cunard spokesman said: that … “No-one on board has been injured. A lot of people will have been in bed when it happened and not have noticed.”

Solent coastguard said that the winds were blowing from the south west at force seven, or 30mph at the time of the grounding, and there was a moderate swell.

The Duke of Edinburgh visited the ship during her final day in port with special arrangement of aerial flypasts as a Remembrance Day ceremony involving the dropping of one million poppies.

After the QE2 sets sail this evening, she will stop for a brief moment and a pre-recorded message from her master, Captain Ian McNaught will be broadcast on a specially-erected screen in Southampton's Mayfair Park. There will then be a firework display and the QE2, with whistle blasting, will move away from Southampton for the very last time. It will be a sad event to say the least, especially when we still do not know what her new owners intend doing structurally to the great Cunarder!

The final voyage to Dubai was sold out almost instantly, with the highest-priced berths going for more than a ridiculous £28,000. The QE2 will arrive on November 26 and she will then be handed over to the Nakheel company, which is part of “Dubai World,” the creators of the “Palm Jumeirah.”

QE 2 seen at her last ever Australian port of call - Fremantle - March 5, 2008

October 18: There has been a number of conflicts about the future of the QE2, some saying this, other’s that, but the details shown below was as given a long time ago, and again recently. Knowing the Arabs they have little regard for history and are more concerned with Dubai style luxury and obviously the QE2 does not measure up when it comes to “Dubai style luxury” and will need a massive revamp to fit their vision of what they consider as luxury. I was told by an assistant from a very high source in the UAE that, “We only want the shell of the ship, she is just a name to draw the tourists. Our inspectors have said that her interiors are cramped and rubbish and need to be removed and completely rebuilt.” For me that said it all and meant that they were going to gut her, and that statement came in 2007. Obviously what was said then fits in with the details below and what I was told then! If they change their mind, and how I hope they do, that will be fantastic, for it would be tragic to see the grand English girl destroyed! She was never my favourite ship, as I feel there were better ships, but to the British and the snob factor she was the one! I for one would not bother to visit her in Dubai for I would much rather go and see the real Queen of the sea, the ex RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach! Now that is a ship the Brits should be proud of, even if she is in American hands, but no, you’ll most likely run to the Arab’s to see the inferior of the two! Well, I have had my controversial say!

Hotel Queen Mary

Visit the RMS Queen Mary feature

October 10: Although details of the drastic alterations that are to be made to the QE2 was leaked late last year, it came up again recently in a BBC programme in the UK, and Alex Naughton sent these details to me, although I have placed my own spin on it. But, thanks Alex!

Drastic alterations are to be made the Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) are likely to be made by her new Dubai owners as they convert her into a luxury hotel, museum and entertainment complex. According to a recent BBC report the iconic red and black funnel will be removed and placed on the quayside where it will become a visitor centre. Apparently the funnel will be replaced by a similar, but modernised looking glass structure housing a 4-deck smoked glass penthouse including swimming pool. It is also rumoured that all the lifeboats will disappear and extra rooms will be built into the deck at the stern. Internally her decks containing cabins will be completely stripped and spacious hotel rooms which meet today’s contemporary requirements will be built.

However, most tragically, QE2’s engines and machinery spaces are to be removed to make space for new entertainment facilities.

The new owners have been travelling on board the QE2 on all her final voyages carefully working on their plans and it seems they are ripping more and more out of England’s Queen! The QE2 was sold to Istithmar in Dubai for 50 million Pound, and her conversion and operation in her new role will be undertaken by Nakheel, however, both companies are owned by Dubai World. Once completed, the once great QE2 will be located at the Palm Jumeirah, which is part of the Nakheel development.

The planned alterations to this iconic ship are likely to displease many traditional admirers of the ship. However, I was nothing short of stunned when the last Master of the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, Captain Ian McNaught made the following statement:

"What is happening to the ship is very good. Because the alternatives are so awful. It could go to scrap and disappear. Or it could get run into the ground as an ignominious ferry in some backwater somewhere."

McNaught, I always thought you were a bit of an … (be nice Reuben), propped by all those who clammer after a Captains attention, but by your statement you have just proved to be what I thought for so long, a good sailor, but … !

Can you imagine the QE2 without its funnel, having a glass tower in its place is no way to remember this great lady. Let alone having her heart pulled out! The truth is, she will no longer be the QE2. The Queen Mary in Long Beach USA is still the Queen Mary, but the QE2 will not have that same fate, she will be so altered that she will just be a name and will no longer resemble her old self and whilst on the Queen may you can live in original staterooms, on the QE2 there will be none left, for the ship will have died a natural death, as she will have become a building!

Frankly, I prefer to see her gently slip beneath the ocean before she reaches Dubai, rather than sell and dethrone then remove the Crown, rip the heart out the HM Queen Elizabeth 2! Anyone who thinks that this Arab alternative is even remotely better than her being broken up or sunk is a nutcase! For all who genuinely love vintage liners there is NO dignity in a mutilated body of a ship with its guts torn out. Please go to California and savour the ex RMS Queen Mary and meet a REAL ship as she is beautifully restored! Forget the QE2 for she will be brain dead, as she will be only kept breathing with artificial parts and additions, and if you love that, you must hate ships! Enough said!

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Imperial Majesty Cruises buys a ship

to replace the MV Regal Empress

The TSS Olympia see as built, currently the MV Regal Empress

From the author’s collection

November 26: The Imperial Majesty Cruise Line's classic Regal Empress (ex Olympia, Caribe I) has returned to Ft. Lauderdale and will return to operate her mini cruises to the Bahamas commencing December 1. However, as reported earlier she will be retired in February 2009, thus if you live in America take your last opportunity to sail on a great classic liner, for the Regal Empress’ interiors are a must see and she is a ship to be experienced. Sadly, we had a great plan to save her with the promise of the Rhode Island Senator Sen. Leonidas Raptakis that he would save her and return her to her Greek homeland, considering that this ship is the equivalent of the SS United States to the US to Greece, but he abandoned her (most likely suited his own politics) even though he dad a partial written agreement with her owners, and he decided that the Liberty ship the Arthur M Huddell should go to Greece instead. It is like saying to America, we’ll scrap the SS United States, but we will send you the ex Italian liner MS Augustus to preserve, it makes no sense whatsoever!

After Regal Empress completes her service IMC Cruises will commence services with their new ship, the MV Prinsesse Ragnhild, which will be renamed the Bahamas Celebration.

October 23: Imperial Majesty Cruises refuses to refund monies paid for cancelled cruises! I have received a number of emails and all had similar messages. The one today stated the following: “I purchased a ticket to sail on this ship (Regal Empress) with 5 family members. I paid "port charges" when I booked. The company called me to say that the cruise was cancelled. I then requested a refund and was flat out told "no refund" after being tortured on hold, being hung up on etc.” (SP - New Port Richey Florida). I have received a number of similar emails and it appears that IMC is simply holding onto these fees, which as far as I know against the law. I have advised everyone to take them to the “small claims court” and to contact the Congressman. Obviously IMC has little to no scruples; first they let their public down and then simply keep their hard earned money! Shame on you Imperial Majesty Cruises! May all future passengers learn the lesson when IMC commences with their new ship, that when you part with your money, don’t expect any back if a cruise is cancelled!

October 2: I have received an email from James, a cruise agent in Atlanta, who advised me that IMC has assured him, after considerable pressure from his company as they had considerable numbers booked in January and they were not interested in sailing on a new ship, that the Regal Empress would return to service in January but that she is expected to be decommissioned by the end of March. IMC also confirmed the purchase of a new ship and that she would take over from the Regal Empress in April. Although IMC did not confirm if this ship is the MV Prinsesse Ragnhild, but we assume it is.

September 26: I have been asked, “Has Raptakis responded at all.” Besides my swipe online and an email sent some time ago, Leonidas Raptakis has not responded like the typical political coward he is. These men are all words and no action!

People like Raptakis who make promises to do something and have done so very publicly and then drop it like a hot coal in order to do something that ensures their popularity in certain sectors. Yet letting down the masses as well as the greatest Greek ship ever built to boot! But, so what, if he promised if faithfully, to save her and to return her to Greece as a floating maritime museum, and now, well she is about to be sold and scrapped! Thank you Leonidas Raptakis you will always be remembered as the JUDAS of the TSS Olympia.

September 24: Received an email today from a passenger from Atlanta who has been advised that: “Imperial Majesty Cruises has pulled the Regal Empress from service until further notice.” On the IMC website http://www.imperialmajesty.com it states that the Regal Empress is on loan to help with the relief efforts in the Texas Gulf and that no further sailings will take place until further notice. However, there somehow fail to mention that they have already obtained a new ship well over a month ago. A slight oversight, I doubt it. Obviously, Regal Empress will never return to service and currently IMC will be negotiating with their breakers friends in Bangladesh or India!

August: Imperial Majesty Cruises Ft Lauderdale last month have purchased the Color Lines (ex car ferry) MV Prinsesse Ragnhild to replace the classic MV Regal Empress, the ex Greek Lines TSS Olympia, which was Greece's first and last ever newly built Trans-Atlantic liner. However, as IMC did with SS OceanBreeze, ex SS Southern Cross they will most likely sell her with great haste and it looks like that we will loose this historic ship unless something can be done in great haste.

Senator Leonidas Raptakis is the ultimate betrayer of the TSS Olympia!

In years past State Senator Leonidas Raptakis made a FIRM commitment, as he made it public in the USA and promised me and thousands of others via my website to save the Regal Empress, the ex TSS Olympia and return her to Greece. In order to do so he did commence some negotiations on it and spoke with her owners even to a point of having an agreement drawn up. I have all the paperwork and all the promises that he made on file. However, for some unknown reason, he decided to drop this great ship without telling me, a ship that would have meant everything to Greece, and instead he commenced a brand new campaign to save an American Liberty ship the Arthur M Huddell, a ship that is currently has been stripped of toxic waste and has headed for Greece. However, this ship has no real value or genuine connection with Greece whatsoever, except for a weak link that some Liberty ships were given to Greece after the war to rebuild their then depleted cargo fleets, but they were never a significant part of their second hand fleet. However all of these ships have been broken up for they meant nothing to Greece, but mere transport. All of Greece’s passenger liners were also old tonnage, except for the historic TSS Olympia which was the only Greek Trans Atlantic passenger liner to be ever newly built especially for the country!

Please Note: Before I go on, I am a strong supporter of the preservation of Liberty, Victory and C3 ships, as they indeed have a significant place in history, but, they need to be in the right place. Many naval and merchant marines in America were greatly angered when Leonidas wanted to take the Arthur M Huddell to Greece for she belongs in the USA, and I wholly agree with them, for he stole an American ship from them!

The Hellas Liberty arrived Piraeus Greece on January 11, 2009

http://apostolossphotos.fotopic.net/c1636594.html

As an insult to all those in America who wished to restore her, the name Arthur M Huddell was crudely painted out and she was renamed Hellas Liberty for a country she has no relationship with whatsoever! That is simply criminal Senator Raptakis you are un-American and have let your Grecian heritage down badly.

Obviously ex TSS Olympia, the Regal Empress should be heading home for Greece, for that is where she belongs, and you Leonidas Raptakis - you betrayed and desperately failed her! For like a typical politician you considered your political popularity and you worked it like a pro, both in the States and in Greece, You should have been an actor, they are also good at make believe!

What is the difference between the TSS Olympia and the SS United States, RMS Queen Mary?

Thus, by commencing this Huddell project, Raptakis was more concerned in his personal and political career than the Greek people and the maritime history of Greece, for Greece’s most important and historic Trans Atlantic passenger liner, which to Greece, if you really think about it is the equivalent to the SS United States to American, and the RMS Queen Mary to the England, and the great SS Normandy or the France (Norway) to the Frenc. Thus, as it could be most likely that ex TSS Olympia will now end up on an Indian beach to be scrapped, and remember, this is the very ship Raptakis publically vowed and promised to me that he would help to save, yet he dropooed her like a hot coal, for what his own political gain and nothing else, for let’s face it, the Huddell was a easy catch! Rhodes Island, remember the name – State senator Leonidas Raptakis - his promises are as good as “I will save the Olympia” and what did he do, little to NOTHING, but ended up serving his own goals and purposes, like a real politician! Remember also, Raptakis belongs to the very same seal of approval that allowed NCL cruises to sail with an American flag. It is this company who purchased the SS United States and the SS Independence promising that they would place both ships back into service. What did NCL do? They ended up with a fleet of German built ships with American flags on their sterns, what did people like Raptakis do, sweet nothing, for let’s face it, they are politicians and they get well looked after, like al politician’s no matter, and that is no matter which country you are in! Hide in a dark corner Raptakis we know your kind; you serve yourself and certainly not the people!

If you think, I do not like Raptakis you would be right. I once thought very highly of him, but then he was a man who made a world of promises. One day I will publish all of his email to me and you can see what politician tell you and what they really end up doing, and that is their own thing!

Raptakis I started the “Save the SS Rotterdam Campaign” on the very day the then SS Rembrandt was laid up in Freeport and gained a massive support base, which I moved to the new Dutch Campaign which was done a superb job and it was their ship. At the helm was a fine man Klaas Krijnen, and today the ship is back home because real people care and do what they said they would do, not like some defeated politician who turns and take the easy way out as you did and took an American ship from the American’s and sent her to a nation who did not even really nee her, but somehow, with your expertise you talked them into it, even though the ship has not one single connection with Greece and yet Greece did have many Liberty ships in their fleet in the past, however they sent them all to the breakers! Thus, they saw no value in them whatsoever! Very clever talker you must be to get them to spend millions on a rust bucket that will not bring them an income, whilst the Olympia could have become a great source of tourism and if managed correctly, like the SS Rotterdam, a Hotel, Restaurant, Café, Tourist complex and Maritime Museum in Piraeus. The good thing is the ship is in a superb condition and would not take a massive amount to convert, but although it would be substantial her income would outweigh this in the end!

Visit my TSS Olympia feature online

Enter the …

Save the TSS Olympia, MS Regal Empress Campaign

Let’s do our best to save this fine ship!

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Part Two

The Breakers Lament

Maxim Gorkiy beached at 4.10 AM - Feb 25, 2009

Maxim Gorkiy seen during a world cruise at Sydney’s Darling Harbour in 2000

February 25: Today “The Space Ship” the TS Maxim M, ex Maxim Gorkiy, Hanseatic, Hamburg, was beached early in the morning at Alang to be broken up. She was suddenly sold to the breakers although metal prices are still poor. We assume that her steel will be kept until steel prices increase again at a later date and will then be sold on. However, this ship is in a superb condition and she was fit to continue to sail on for years yet, but as fate would have it, it was not to be, farewell to a fine lady and a movie star!

Memories of previous events:

February 9: Alex Naughton reports: “I have just been informed by a reliable source that the Maxim Gorky has passed through the Suez Canal and now is currently stationary in the Red Sea near Southern Egypt awaiting further instructions on her next moves. So yes, to clarify, the Maxim Gorky is not moving and is stationary at this time and is not making any further progress towards India at the moment.

I am also informed that the ship has been exempt from SOLAS 2010 regulations (which come in force in October 2010) until October 2013, therefore this delays when she would need to be upgraded. Also the ship is fully intact on board and retains all her furniture, fittings and on board furnishings. Thus she remains in very good condition. However she is only currently certificated for a one way delivery voyage to Alang, India for scrapping. If she can be saved she will need to be recertificated for other purposes or for a return to passenger service. Meanwhile the interested parties in Germany continue to make progress with their aspirations to save the Maxim Gorky.”

Februray 6: Good friend Neil Whitmore of the UK advised me today that the Maxim Gorkiy passed through the Suez Canal on February 4 and she is now bound for the breakers yards. Thus, her fate seems very much to be sealed. Such a beautiful ship with years of service left in her, yet unwanted by the industry and the Hamburg City and Port Authority has let a great idea down badly. I have been advised from Germany that it was in the lower levels of the authorities where everything went wrong.

As a German friend of mine wrote several days ago; “Like many Germans, German authorities and governments are ‘inherently pessimistic.’ - For my opinion, Maxim Gorkiy ex Hanseatic ex Hamburg is a part of Hamburg as well as SS Rotterdam is a part of Rotterdam. Many emails and faxes have been sent out to the media and the authorities, and the campaign is still going on. However, it seems that the blocker is located somewhere in the lower hierarchies and certain harbour authorities.”

Thus Maxim Gorkiy’s fate was in the hands of Hamburg’s little men and women of authority, people that had little to no vision! The funds were there, all she need was a berth!

February 3: I have been advised that Maxim Gorkiy is currently anchored off Port Said.

If anyone hears any further news about Maxim Gorkiy’s whereabouts and movements please email me info@ssmaritime.com I would greatly appreciate it.

January 30: As most will know, the Maxim Gorkiy, ex Hamburg was laid up at Piraeus on December 29, 2008. However, I have now been advised that she has departed from her anchorage on January 28, 2009 and headed for Limassol where she were it is likely that she has been handed over to her new Indian ship breaker owners by Sovcomflot. Thus, soon she will be underway bound for Aland via the Suez Canal. However, we do not have official confirmation as yet of the handover.

Early December: Although it had been said that new investor has been found, however he insists that a berth is guaranteed in Hamburg, thus we await the decision from the local authorities and hope for the best that she may remain in Germany yet! But, I have great doubts of her survival!

The 1969 built cruise ship TS Maxim Gorkiy, ex Hanseatic, Hamburg, has been sold to an Indian ship breaker. Although there were plans in 2008 to restart Orient Lines and it was planned to use her and rename her Marco Polo II, sadly these plans did not eventuate. More recently there was a German plan to obtain her and to preserve her in the port of Hamburg for a commercial use, but obviously that project did not eventuate, like so many others. She was sold for a mere US$4.2 million reflecting the low scrap metal prices. This ship is in a superb state and fully functional and would have been a steal for an adventurous investor. The breaker would still be willing to sell her, but once she is on the beach, it will be too late!

Seen as the TN Hamburg

Author’s collection

The renamed Maxim M is seen beached at the same beach that broke up SS Norway (Blue Lady) “Priya Blue”

Photo provided by Michel Perrin

Enter the new TN Hamburg – Maxim Gorkiy Feature

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MV Logos II sold to the breakers

Logos II sold to the breakers

Photo - www.omships.org

October 5: the 94 year old MV Doulos’ owners have now sold her running mate the 4,804 GRT MV Logos II to the breakers with the paperwork being signed in Piraeus on September 29.

Logos II seen beached on 15 October

Sent in by one of our readers - photographer unknown*

*See note at bottom of page

Logos II background: She was constructed by Union Naval Levante SA of Valencia Spain in 1968, the ship was originally known as Antonio Lazaro and was owned by Compañía Trasmediterránea. The ship was designed to operate a ferry service to Morocco, carrying 400 berthed and 200 deck class passengers. She later sailed between Spain and Spanish territories in North Africa. She was designed with cargo hold forward and side doors for the loading of vehicles.

She was purchased on 21 October, 1988 and was then renamed Logos II and extensive renovations and upgrades were carried out to prepare the ship for service as the replacement for OM Ships International's first ship the Logos, which had ran aground in South America during a storm after the pilot suddenly decided to leave the ship early far too close to rocks, with the ship coming to a full stop, it drifted and was unable to raise sufficient steam to recover course and was blown onto the rocks.

Now she is gone their new ship the MV Logos Hope, which has been in preparation for a considerable time, is also an ex Car Ferry and she has been extensively been converted to fit her new role and she will be the best ship to date with the best facilities available to the staff and visitors than has been available n any previous ship!

The new larger Logos Hope will soon commence duties

Photo - www.logoshope.org

Also - Visit the Author’s 30 page MV Doulos feature

Enter the Doulos Feature here

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SS France/Norway

Alang breakers update: The Blue Lady, ex SS Norway, France, continues to torn apart by the breakers torch with large sections of her outer hull plating having been removed. Now her graceful bow and her stern have also succumbed and there is now little left for us to recognise that she ever was that Grand French Dame the SS France! Yet her memory will live on forever in our hearts. Colin Veitch will GO, NCL/NCL America will continue to make their massive losses. The Chinese Malaysian Casino bosses of Star Cruises will get what they deserve, as their own company continues to slide loosing their top quality ships and having to use inferior second hand old NCL ships. Once they had the SuperStar, all gone, as is their Super Star Gemini and where is their Gem of a cruise company, Orient Line and the superb Marco Polo? Sold for they needed the money to prop up their massive losses. Star Cruises and NCL knew that the Norway’s boilers needed attention but did nothing and hid the problems, the NTSB reports says so, this killed good people and they have paid the price, but only a miserable US$14.7 million. I hope that a new suit will get then ten times as much! Remember cruisers, DO NOT BOOK A CRUISE with this miserable company, NCL is anti American, they promised to restore the SS Independence if the US Government would allow them to commence a US flagged Cruise company NCL America, they now have it and ask yourself, where is she now? Sold to the Indians, although I believe she has had a reprieve and has been resold but no details are available. NCL/Star did the same with the SS United States, they promised to rebuild her, well go to Philadelphia and take a good look at her, she is a rusting hulk, yet this super rich Chinese Malaysian Casino operators, owners of Star Cruises and owners of NCL were supposed to be looking after the finest and greatest American passenger liner ever built. She is a wreck and rusting away and falling apart due to sheer neglect! Let me say this America and believe me and the NCL America crew who have been writing me over the years, NCL is anti American, they treat their American crew with contempt, ask them, I have emails from them and they hate NCL, even the foreign crew dislike the treatment they receive. In addition, many passengers have written me in regard the extreme low morale onboard the Pride of America, which most have renamed the Shame of America. Thus, be wise, stay far away from NCL and NCL America, for we feel that every American who cruise on NCL America, NCL Cruises and Star Cruises must be anti American!

Visit my SS France - Norway feature online

NCL / NCLA & Star Cruises are simply NOT worth cruising with!

Remembering the SS France / Norway Campaign

Read details of the long and hard fought campaign to save her

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Other Ships

August: A photograph was sent to me of the Topaz taken at Alang in August 2008 and the ship shows no signs of being touched as yet.

The Topaz is seen on the beach at Alang in August and is apparently untouched

Sent in by one of our readers - photographer unknown*

*See note at bottom of page

June 8: Ex Louis Cruises ships, such as: 1. Prince, ex Princesa Marissa, Finnhansa. 2. Serena, ex Serenade, Mermoz, Jean Mermoz almost ready to be broken up. All that is left on the beach is the funnel-topped mid-to-aft section of the one beautiful MS Lucky, ex Odysseus, Aquamarine, Marco Polo, Princesa Isabel. With thanks to Peter Knego.

July 5: I regret to advise that SS The Topaz, built as the Canadian Pacific liner SS Empress of Britain, was beached at Alang on Friday on July 4 at high tide. Apparently she was to be beached the next day, but at the last minute the breaker got the "go ahead" from the pilot and she was rammed up on the beach on Friday eve’s high tide with a trail of black smoke following her. It was a tragic end to a wonderful ship. We need to remember that our UK campaign had wonderful plans for her in Glasgow which were all go for 2010, however her greedy owners got carried away with the high prices of scrap steel at the time and had no consideration for what they knew about the massive amount of work that had been done on the conservation plans already at hand for the ship and by the city.

Visit the TSS Empress of Britain feature online

I trust you have enjoyed reading this page. If you feel you might have something of interest to add, be it a story or some photographs, I would appreciate hearing from you!

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Who is the Author of ssMaritime?

By Kosta Specis & Hun-Eng Tan

Reuben Goossens commenced in Passenger Shipping industry in May 1960

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info@ssmaritime.com

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