January, 2008 Steamship Historical Society of America; Southern California Chapter Volume 12.1

Chapter Notes the venerable former Cunard Liner Southern California Chapter of the Send yours in today if you haven’t already. QUEEN MARY, permanently moored in Steamship Historical Society of America Here’s to the New Year! Now, lets go! Long Beach, California. Rumors swirled Bruce Vancil, Chairman that the ship was for sale, when in fact it was only the lease to operate the Happy New Year to all members NEXT MEETING: Saturday, February 2, 2008 ship that was up for grabs. In and friends! With the new year, we 1:00 - 3:00pm aboard the RMS QUEEN MARY March of 2005, the ship’s former have announcements of board Featuring operator QSDI (Queens Seaport members, meetings and speakers Development, Inc.) went into and local happenings. John Christopher Butler bankruptcy after a dispute with “A California Astronomer in Queen Mary’s Court ” the City Of Long Beach over rent First, thanks to everyone who voted ------credits. The long, convoluted in the Board of Directors elections. rd proceedings took two and a half Congratulations to the 2008 Board Caronia Room (former 3 class cinema) "B" Dk Fwd . years to sort out, but with most of Directors who are: Chairman, = = = = RSVP to (562) 499-1696 = = = = issues resolved the lease was Bruce Vancil; Vice Chair, Chris finally sold at auction to a consortium called Save the Butler; Treasurer, Bill Keene; Queen. A variety of unspecified lenders Secretary, Lovetta Kramer and members at large, Bruce Lyons, Daniel and investors came up with $43 million Crosswell, Tom Nicolai, Shawn Dake, CRUISE SHIPS 2007 to buy the lease for the QUEEN MARY Laurel Howat. And welcome to our THE YEAR IN REVIEW and development rights for the 55 acres newest Board of Directors member, of land around the ship. Many issues By Shawn J. Dake Everett Hoard. will still need to be resolved, but

importantly for the 71-year-old ocean Paradigm shift may be a term most often Also, the presentations and meeting dates liner the new operators have pledged to applied to physics, but in 2007 it seemed to be are as follows: contribute $6 million toward her appropriate for the cruise industry as well. The maintenance, which is desperately big shift was away from the American cruise February 2, 2008; Chris Butler – A needed. Day to day operations continue market, and the weak U.S. Dollar, in favor of a California Astronomer in Queen Mary’s as normal. larger emphasis on Europe and other foreign Court: destinations. As the year ended, nearly half of With this annual recap of the most the 42 new ships on order were destined for May 3, 2008 ; Nelson Arnstein – Holland important events in the cruise industry, I European operators. At the world’s largest America’s Grand Dame, ss ROTTERDAM will begin, as usual, with the biggest cruise conglomerate, Carnival Corporation, 13 news, which in 2007 came from Cunard out of 22 new orders were going to their August 2, 2008 ; Merle Thomsen - Ocean Line . Most surprising was their press European brands with Aida and Costa Cruises th release of June 18 announcing the Liner Silver and China being the biggest beneficiaries. By the year sale of their aging, but still popular liner 2010, 4.5 million Europeans will cruise each QUEEN ELIZABETH 2. The 38 year old November 1, 2008 ; Annual Fall Semi- year. Half will be carried on Carnival owned ship was purchased for $100 million Formal Tea and Awards ships. Already, 30% of Carnival Corporation’s U.S. dollars by Istithmar, a division of entire revenue is derived from Europe. Dubai World, to be permanently docked It promises to be an exciting year of great Another part of this year, unfortunately, was at their Palm Jumeirah development in lectures so mark your calendar and save the shift away from customer service, to Dubai. A series of “Farewell Voyages” the dates. squeezing the highest level of profits out of went on sale at 6:00am Pacific time, passengers above all else. Whether it was nine days after the announcement and Local events are shaping up to be quite adding excessive fuel surcharges, introducing within 36 minutes the last cruise was amazing – you won’t want to miss out. new fees for everything under the sun, cutting sold out. The QE2 will depart January 30, 2008 Cunard’s new QUEEN commissions to travel agencies which a final time on November VICTORIA makes her maiden call in Los represent their main source of passengers, or 11, 2008, cruising for 16-days to her Angeles at the San Pedro docks with a charging for onboard services that were new home in the desert. The QUEEN 5pm sailing time. Also, QE2 will make her formerly expected pleasures of a cruise ELIZABETH 2 is the longest serving last call in Los Angeles at the San Pedro voyage, the consumer came out the loser, liner in Cunard history, first entering docks on March 30, 2008. April 12, 2008 in while the major cruise lines once again raked regular service in 1969. Just as she set for the Queen Mary’s annual Titanic in record breaking profits. replaced the original QUEEN MARY Remembrance Dinner. It is promised that and QUEEN ELIZABETH, the QE2 is it will truly be a night to remember. Look Before getting to the major events of the herself being replaced with a new and forward to the spring edition of Ocean contemporary cruise industry, much of the vastly different Queen. Times to see the results of our “Ship of the world’s interest was focused on the plight of

Year” ballots. The stories have been great. 2 SSHSA

QUEEN VICTORIA was first floated in her deal announced last year for a joint venture PARADISE. The eight “Fantasy class” building dock on January 15, 2007. By with German operator TUI fell through, but on ships were all rebranded with the December 10 th the new ship was ready for the same day Carnival Corp. announced a Carnival prefix before their given her christening, which would mark the first new agreement with Spanish tour operator names, such as FANTASY becoming time a Cunard Queen liner would not be Iberojet. The new cruise brand will be known CARNIVAL FANTASY. Those vessels sponsored by the reigning Queen. This as Iberocruceros which will be 75% owned by are also undergoing a $250 million time Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall was Carnival and 25% by Iberojet. Initially, the refurbishment program known as given the honor. As she said the words, “I Spanish fleet will consist of three ships, the “Evolutions Of Fun.” This includes name this ship QUEEN VICTORIA. May 1,244 passenger GRAND MISTRAL (ex. “resort-style pools,“ a “Serenity” area God bless her and all who sail in her,” she MISTRAL), the 834 passenger GRAND for adults, and “Waterworks” aqua pressed the button, the giant champagne VOYAGER (ex. OLYMPIC VOYAGER, parks for kids. A 300 foot long, blue bottle hesitated, then swung against the OLYMPIA VOYAGER, VOYAGER), and plastic tube waterslide will overhang ship’s bow with a thud, failing to shatter. A Carnival’s 1,486 passenger CELEBRATION. the side of the ships along with three man then ran out on the bow with a In addition to Iberocruceros, Carnival additional 82 foot slides on board. second bottle and smashed it over the Corporation & plc, also operates P&O Cruises, Adults will need some serenity, as side, as confetti rained and fireworks went P&O Cruises, Ocean Village, Aida Carnival ships carried 600,000 children off while the lavish spectacle continued. Cruises, Costa Cruises, , during the previous year. Just as every The following day, QUEEN VICTORIA , The Yachts Of Seabourn, theme park has characters that are officially entered service with a 10-day Holland America Line and of course Carnival identified with it, Carnival has Fun Ship maiden voyage to ports in Northern Cruise Lines. In 2007, they discontinued Freddy as their mascot. He seems to Europe. The second voyage, a 16-day ownership of Windstar Cruises and Swan be a slightly creepy man-creature with Christmas and New Year’s cruise, was Hellenic. a winged-funnel for a head, but marred by an outbreak of Norovirus which somehow he’s managed to sell 50,000 affected 78 passengers. The QUEEN Carnival Cruise Lines continued to be the plush toys in the gift shops. Freddy VICTORIA measures 90,049 gross pace-setter for all others to follow. Perhaps also appears in the welcome videos at registered tons, with a length of their biggest news came not from aboard the Carnival’s new terminals D and E in 964.5 and width of 106 feet. While not an ships but within the executive offices. Bob , which are able to process 4,000 identical sister ship, she is certainly a Dickinson, one of the true pioneers of the embarking and disembarking close relative of Holland America’s “Vista cruise business retired as President and CEO passengers. Class” vessels and similar ships of other of Carnival. He joined the company in 1972 Carnival Corporation brands. In 2008, the and coined the slogan “Fun Ships.” His place Princess Cruises was an active newest Queen will embark on her first will be taken by Gerry Cahill, most recently the participant in the annual Carnival ship cruise Around The World, while the Chief Financial Officer of the line. Bob shuffle. They added one newly built QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 begins her last Dickinson gave his farewell address aboard ship with the addition of the EMERALD long voyage. The two ships will Carnival’s newest ship, the 110,000 gross ton PRINCESS, gained a second ship by rendezvous three times; in New York, Ft. CARNIVAL FREEDOM when it arrived in the transfer of the ROYAL PRINCESS Lauderdale and Sydney. The New York Miami in November. The ship was christened (ii) and lost a veteran vessel by moving call on January 13, 2008 will be unique as in Venice, by former supermodel Kathy the REGAL PRINCESS out to the ships will be joined by the QUEEN Ireland on March 4 th . The 2,974 passenger Australia. If you thought you were MARY 2, the first time three Cunard ship is the fifth Conquest Class vessel. The having some kind of 1970’s television Queens are in port together. During 2007, next one coming up, CARNIVAL SPLENDOR show flashback, then you must have the QUEEN MARY 2 completed her own is being touted as a new class of ship with an been in Athens for Mother’s Day. On first World Cruise before enjoying another enlarged tonnage of 113,300 gross, and May 13 th , “Happy Days” Joannie successful season on the North Atlantic expanded passenger capacity of 3,006 guests. Cunningham and her TV mom Marion, and cruising. The QM2 was also honored In reality, each of the nine ships of this type also known as Erin Moran and Marion as the “Best Luxury ” by the are an ever expanding evolution from the Ross, along with “The Brady Bunch” readers of “Travel Weekly.” As if this 101,351 ton CARNIVAL DESTINY, which led mom and daughter team of Carol and wasn’t enough, Cunard Line had yet to the 110,000 ton CARNIVAL CONQUEST Cindy Brady; Florence Henderson and another major announcement to make and in July, 2008 will bring CARNIVAL Susan Olsen, were joined by Captain before the year ended. They plan to build a SPLENDOR to the world. After that, there are Merrill Stubing, Gavin MacLeod from new ship, to be named QUEEN only two more ships presently on order which “The Love Boat”, when all assembled ELIZABETH. The 92,000 gross ton ship Carnival says will be as large as they plan to at the Piraeus docks to christen the will be a slightly modified version of the go. Those 130,000 gross ton vessels have 3,100 passenger EMERALD QUEEN VICTORIA, costing $700 million, been named CARNIVAL DREAM coming in PRINCESS. The next ship in this with expected delivery in the autumn of 2009 and CARNIVAL MAGIC due in 2011. 113,000 gross ton series has been 2010. Recognizing where the money is, for the first named RUBY PRINCESS for delivery time Carnival will base two mega-ships in in November, 2008. Another Carnival Corporation has to be Europe during 2008. After that season ends, christening took place a month later on mentioned, in addition to their 11 and a winter stint in the Caribbean, the new June 14 th with the renaming of the subsidiary brands. They presently operate CARNIVAL SPLENDOR will offer the line’s 30,200 ton ROYAL PRINCESS in 85 ships totaling 158,000 berths with 22 first South America Cruises which will bring Portofino, Italy. After Carnival additional new ships scheduled to enter the ship to her new home port of Long Beach, dismantled the brand, service between April, 2008 and May, California beginning March 29, 2009 for year- their only ship, MINERVA II (Ex. R 2012. For the fiscal year 2007, Carnival round cruises to the Mexican Riviera. During EIGHT) was available to transfer to revenue rose 10% to $13.02 billion. Net 2007, Carnival based four ships in Southern Princess. This ship now rejoins her income rose 6% to $2.41 billion. California offering 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8-day cruises sisters (Ex. R Projections for 2008 expect profits to rise aboard the sisterships CARNIVAL SPIRIT and THREE) and TAHITIAN PRINCESS even further, largely due to fuel surcharges CARNIVAL PRIDE and the older siblings (Ex. R FOUR) under the same banner. and a stronger Caribbean market. The CARNIVAL ELATION and CARNIVAL These days, it is rare when a 3 SSHSA successor ship is smaller than her for Aida, and has increased the tonnage on very recognizable as a Holland predecessor. The original 45,000 gross ton the latest three orders to 71,000 gross tons America ship with a large collection of ROYAL PRINCESS now sails for P&O as each. Every spring, for the next five years, onboard art and a profile resembling the ARTEMIS. In related news, Lord another Aida ship will enter service. The next the last four “Vista Class” ships. Those Sterling, former chairman of P&O, one has already been named AIDABELLA. vessels will receive “Signature Of announced that he was buying the Swan Built in 2003, the 42,289 gross ton AIDAAURA Excellence” enhancements to match Hellenic brand name, reviving the cultural suffered a mechanical breakdown in the recent NOORDAM as well as the cruise programs that have been offered for December following a scheduled drydocking new ship. What this means is that they over 50 years. Princess Cruises plans to and was forced to return to the shipyard in are being expanded with the addition focus much of their expansion in Australia. Genoa. No passengers were aboard. The of 34 more cabins, and more revenue The 77,000 gross ton SUN PRINCESS is following voyage, a transatlantic crossing from producing areas in former relaxing, but now committed to the market year-round Palma de Majorca to Aruba had to be non-income producing spaces. A and will be followed in 2008 by her sister cancelled. portion of the Crow’s Nest Lounge will DAWN PRINCESS. They will be the largest become the Explorations Café. The ships ever to be based down under. The Costa Crociere is responsible for Aida, as extra charge Pinnacle Grill and Bar will REGAL PRINCESS sustained bottom well as their own ships. Their huge European be enlarged and a new Marabella damage at Huatulco, Mexico, February 18 th . presence no doubt influenced Carnival’s jewelry store is being added. During The next cruise to South America had to be decision to place orders for five more ships for 2007, the lovely and much more cancelled. REGAL PRINCESS also took them, all of which will be between 92,700 and intimate 793 passenger PRINSENDAM part in the shift to Australia but not as part 114,200 gross tons. On May 19 th , their newest received a $20 million refurbishment. of the Princess fleet. Moving to the P&O vessel, the 112,000 gross ton COSTA The change to longer itineraries seems Australia division, the ship was renamed SERENA was christened at Marseille, France to be working well for Holland America, in a lavish ceremony held by actress Marion Cotillard, in another lavish in addition to their established 7-day in Sydney on November 9 th . She is being ceremony featuring 70 projectors and 2,500 cruises in , Mexico and the marketed as Australia’s first SuperLiner. fireworks. The location was chosen to highlight Caribbean. The most famous former PACIFIC STAR (ex. TROPICALE, COSTA the importance of the French cruise market, Holland America Line ship, the s.s. TROPICALE) was seriously damaged in a which makes up 14% of Costa’s passengers. ROTTERDAM (v) continues to undergo Pacific Storm on July 17 th . Thirty foot waves The new ship features the Samsara Spa, the a complete refitting in Wilhelmshaven, smashed out 20 windows and caused hull largest fitness and wellness center at sea, Germany. Lounges have been stripped damage. The forward exterior stairs were taking up 23,000 square feet on two decks. to their bare steel bulkheads and some washed away and the upper section of the Costa ships have been busy pioneering new tourist class cabins have been bow and steel framework had to be cruise destinations. The COSTA ALLEGRA is combined into larger units for hotel replaced. The ship has sailed in Australia based in China in an attempt to introduce rooms. The exterior colors have been since 2005, but has since been sold to Chinese passengers to cruising, but it is now restored to the original 1959 and will join their fleet in also marketed to Europeans and Americans. appearance. If all goes well the grand March, 2008. With the arrival of the The smaller, 776 passenger COSTA MARINA old ship will return to the City of PACIFIC DAWN, fleet mate PACIFIC SUN is trying out Indian Ocean cruises based in Rotterdam in May, 2008. (ex. JUBILEE) has switched her homeport Mauritius. During 2007, the COSTA to Brisbane. CLASSICA sailed from the emerging port of Windstar Cruises which for years has Dubai, along with Aida Cruises. All of the operated under Holland America Line, Ocean Village is another subsidiary of newer Costa ships are based on a common was sold by Carnival to Ambassadors Carnival Corporation that is highly platform with Carnival Cruise Lines ships, with International for $100 million in dependent on former Princess tonnage. The interiors designed by Joe Farcus and identical February. The sister vessels WIND casual cruise operation started with the interior layouts. STAR and WIND SPIRIT each carry original OCEAN VILLAGE (ex. FAIR 148 passengers in casual luxury, while MAJESTY, STAR PRINCESS, ARCADIA). Yachts Of Seabourn is the new marketing the larger WIND SURF (ex. CLUB The concept has been so successful that a name for Seabourn Cruises. All three of the MED 1) holds 312 guests. Carnival second ship OCEAN VILLAGE TWO was existing ships are being refurbished with work chairman, Micky Arison said “Windstar added in April. Like her fleet mate, this ship on the SEABOURN PRIDE completed in is an outstanding and unique cruise was ordered by Sitmar Cruises but became 2007. Among the alterations are an expanded product and has garnered an the CROWN PRINCESS upon the takeover Veranda Café and new alternative dining. The extremely loyal following, however by Princess Cruises. She has also served hull stripe is being changed from blue to black Carnival Corporation & plc’s growth under two other Carnival European brands and the logo on the smokestacks will be strategy is focused on expanding our as A’ROSA BLU and AIDA BLU. highlighted in gold instead of blue. Carnival core growth brands and opening new has ordered three new 32,000 ton ships for the markets.” If that needs any translation, Aida Cruises may have lost one ship with company, the first of which has been named it means that this line was not going to the transfer of the 70,000 gross ton AIDA SEABOURN ODYSSEY. get any more ships because there is BLU, but gained another brand new one. not enough money to be made The 68,500 ton AIDADIVA was christened Holland America Line did not add any new carrying only 148 passengers. Many of April 20, 2007 at Hamburg. The ship has a ships in 2007, but 2008 will bring their largest Holland America’s executives and very unusual profile and sports the “hull art” ship ever, the 2,044 passenger EURODAM. A office staff moved over to the “new” of her fleet mates; red lips wrapped around firm order was also placed for another 86,000 Windstar’s Seattle offices. the bow and huge eyes on either side. This gross ton sistership. The new ship will be a diva won’t win any beauty contests, but her break in tradition, not just in her name, which Royal Caribbean International German clientele flock to these high-density has never been previously used by Holland continues to hold a firm grip on being Club Ships, which are more like a European America, but also in décor. Staterooms will be the second largest cruise consortium holiday camp for adults, than a traditional a bit more spartan with a monochromatic in the world, behind Carnival cruise. The concept is so popular that design in contrast to the floral patterns used in Corporation. The RCI group vastly Carnival has five additional vessels on order the recent past. The EURODAM will still be expanded the number of brands under 4 SSHSA their umbrella in 2007. Besides Royal out. spent the before changing to SUPERSTAR Caribbean, they also control Celebrity inaugural season cruising to on AIRES, and most recently for Cruises, Azamara Cruises, Pullmantur the published itineraries of Celebrity’s Pullmantur Cruises as the HOLDAY Cruises, Island Cruises, CDF Croisieres de ZENITH, which also went to Pullmantur but DREAM. After a 30 million Euro refit, France and The Scholar Ship. Like their was not renamed. The saga of these four this once German beauty will emerge larger competitor, they too freely shuffle cruise lines is so intertwined that it is as the quintessential French maiden ships among these fleets. Where Royal impossible to discuss one without touching on with the new name of BLEU DE Caribbean excels however, is in building all of them. Also at Pullmantur, the SKY FRANCE. really large ships. In 2007, the first 570 ton WONDER (ex. FAIRSKY, SKY PRINCESS, keel section of what will eventually be a PACIFIC SKY) continued her streak of bad 220,000 gross ton ship was laid. With the luck by running aground at Buenos Aires in working name of GENESIS 1, this vessel January. Originally constructed for Sitmar will be the first ship over 200,000 tons and Cruises in 1984, this vessel was the last large the first to cost over $1 billion, when it passenger steamship ever built. A regular enters service in late 2009. A second ship annual feature of this column is the continuing comes out a year later. Royal Caribbean story of propulsion pod problems on plans to base the two “Project Genesis” Celebrity’s “Millennium class” ships. This time, ships at Port Everglades and will contribute both the MILLENNIUM and CONSTELLATION to the $37.4 million dollar expansion of received new pods in drydock. Celebrity has Terminal 18 to accommodate the an ongoing lawsuit with the pod builders, Rolls EXPLORER at Dock in Argentina behemoths which will each carry 5,400 Royce. On a happier note, the 1995 built passengers. Meanwhile, in the present day, CENTURY received a $55 million makeover, The Scholar Ship began its first four- Royal Caribbean took delivery of their 21 st transforming her into an almost new ship. month-long student voyage from ship, and the largest in the world, the Balconies were added to 314 existing Athens, aboard one of the 158,000 ton LIBERTY OF THE SEAS. staterooms, while 14 new suites and 10 new most classic ocean liners afloat. The Godmother and travel agent, Donnalea cabins were created. The 71,545 gross ton vessel is the OCEANIC II which was Madeley christened the ship at Miami on ship now has a capacity for 1,814 passengers. built at John Brown’s yard on the river May 18, 2007. The next day the 3,634 During 2007, Celebrity also took over their Clyde in 1966 as Swedish American passenger vessel set out on her maiden own food service operations, which had been Line’s KUNGSHOLM. Other names voyage to the Caribbean. Another huge under the command of celebrity chef Michel included SEA PRINCESS, VICTORIA sister, the INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS Roux. On the horizon (pun intended) is a huge and MONA LISA before gaining her is scheduled to enter service in May, 2008. new class of ship for Celebrity beginning at the current name with Pullmanturs. The In order to effectively compete against end of 2008 and continuing over the next four three year lease agreement will take Carnival on the West Coast, the 138,000 years. Each vessel will measure 122,000 the ship up to her mandatory SOLAS ton “Voyager class” ship MARINER OF THE gross tons, carry 2,850 passengers and have retirement in 2010. It is then hoped SEAS will move to California in February, dimensions of 1,033 feet in length by 121 feet that it will find a permanent home in 2009 for 7-day cruises to Mexico. At the in beam. The first three have been named, Gothenburg, Sweden, fully restored to same time, Royal Caribbean will be , CELEBRITY her look as KUNGSHOLM, for use as abandoning the short 3 and 4-day cruises EQUINOX and , with a a hotel, restaurant and maritime out of Los Angeles that have been a staple fourth unnamed vessel recently ordered. I’m museum. The student voyages of their operations since the 1980’s. hoping they name that one CELEBRITY compete with those of Semester At MONARCH OF THE SEAS will be moved to MERIDIAN in honor of the first ship that , in October, 2008, started back in 1988. Sea which operates semester-long cruises aboard the EXPLORER (ex. replacing the SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS, OLYMPIA EXPLORER). which will leave Royal Caribbean for Island Cruises is a joint venture between

Pullmantur Cruises. The smaller 48,563 ton Royal Caribbean and British tour operator First Royal Caribbean had one final surprise EMPRESS OF THE SEAS (ex. NORDIC Choice. Their informal cruises are the answer announcement as the year ended. EMPRESS) will also move to Pullmantur, to Carnival’s Ocean Village, primarily designed Following the failure of the TUI Cruises only sooner, in March 2008. for first-time European cruisers. Their first joint venture with Carnival, they quickly ship, the ISLAND ESCAPE (ex. linked themselves to Royal Caribbean. While Pullmantur Cruises is gaining these SCANDINAVIA, STARDANCER, VIKING The new company which will kick off two older Royal Caribbean ships, during SERENADE) came from Royal Caribbean. operations in 2009, will start with a 2007, they lost two of their newest ships. The second originated with Celebrity. The refurbished vessel for the German The newly formed Azamara Cruises is a former HORIZON is now the ISLAND STAR. market, followed by two newly built more upscale division of Celebrity Cruises , The ship ran into serious trouble in September ships that should start service in 2011 and began operations with two more of the when it lost power in a storm off the coast of and 2012. former Renaissance Cruises ships, which Nice, France and the captain ordered the most recently had belonged to Pullmantur. passengers evacuated in the heavy weather. In case you’re wondering where Royal The 30,277 gross ton AZAMARA Other than that incident, the ship seems to fit Caribbean Cruise Lines original trio of JOURNEY (ex. R SIX, BLUE DREAM {ii}, well in her new roll as an affordable three-star ships have gone, here is a quick recap. CELEBRITY JOURNEY) started first in cruise ship. A Danish shipping group called May, followed by the Clipper recently purchased the former (ex. R SEVEN, DELPHIN RENAISSANCE, CDF Croisieres de France is another new SONG OF NORWAY. The 1970-built BLUE MOON) in October, 2007. As you can division announced by Royal Caribbean in ship also sailed under the names see by the previous names, the first ship 2007. This new line will cater exclusively to SUNDREAM, DREAM PRINCESS and was originally intended to go to Celebrity French passengers. Their first vessel will be DREAM. During 2007, the DREAM before the Azamara brand was hastily the former Hapag-Lloyd cruise ship EUROPA, was evacuated at Rhodes, Greece formed. This resulted in some initial service built in 1981. This ship has also sailed for Star after developing a 10 degree list while problems before all the kinks were worked Cruises, briefly as SUPERSTAR EUROPE in port. Clipper plans to rename her 5 SSHSA

CLIPPER PEARL. The same company also completion of the “F3” series of 150,000 substances aboard the ship. Most bought the SUPERSTAR GEMINI (ex. gross ton mega-ships ordered from Aker fittings have already been removed, CROWN JEWEL) and a riverboat. The Yards, France. With considerable fanfare, and the tip of her sleek, perfectly NORDIC PRINCE of 1971, has sailed as NCL introduced their newest vessel, formed bow has been cut off. the CAROUSEL, AQUAMARINE and . She is the sixth and Meanwhile back in the United States, ARIELLE and is currently owned by Louis final ship in a series of near sisters that the National Transportation And Safety Cruise Lines. The 1972-built SUN VIKING began in 2001 with the NORWEGIAN Board (NTSB) issued a lengthy and has had a checkered career in Asia cruising STAR. The 2,394 passenger, “GEM ‘It Girl’” scathing report placing much of the as the SUPERSTAR SAGITTARIUS, was christened in New York on December blame for the May 25, 2003 boiler HYUNDAI POGNAE, POGNAE and OMAR 18 th by Cindy Cardella. It is yet another explosion that ended the ship’s career III. In 2007, she was sold once again to vessel with a rock climbing wall, a four-lane on NCL’s maintenance practices. The become the LONG JIE. As for the 1982- bowling alley and a 2-story high Wii game NTSB concluded: “The probable cause built SONG OF AMERICA, she became the screen in the lobby. If you don’t know what of the boiler rupture on the NORWAY SUNBIRD in 1999, then went to Louis that is, you probably don’t need it. NCL was the deficient boiler operation, Cruise Lines in 2005 and is sailing under reached an agreement with Nintendo to maintenance, and inspection practices charter to Thomson Cruises, part of TUI, as equip all of their ships with Wii units in the of NCL, which allowed material their THOMSON DESTINY. future. It seems to me that cruise lines are deterioration and fatigue cracking to Apollo Management L.P. may not be a getting pretty far from the reason people weaken the boiler. Inadequate boiler name you have ever heard before, but they used to take a cruise in the first place, surveys by BV {Bureau Veritas} have come out of nowhere to become the which was the simple pleasure of being on contributed to the cause of the world’s third largest cruise conglomerate. the ocean and seeing new places. The new accident.” The NORWEGIAN DREAM Apollo is a $12 billion, private equity firm ship’s American sister, PRIDE OF (ex. DREAMWARD) continued her old founded in 1990. For some reason, they will soon be trading in the Stars and Stripes habit of running into things when she decided cruising would be a good for a Bahamian flag of convenience, when collided with a container barge at investment and during 2007 gained control, she moves to more profitable European Montevideo, Uruguay in clear weather or partnered with, Oceania Cruises, waters under the new name of on December 10th. The ship sustained and Regent Seven . The NCL America a six foot wide hole above the Seas Cruises. It is still too early to tell what brand has lost more than $250 million in waterline, with damage to her bow and the full impact of an investment firm running Hawaii since 2004. Now they are whining to forward ballast tank. The bigger cruise lines will be, but we can still examine the Federal government that they need problem was she closed the port to each of the individual companies more in more protection from foreign flag ships that traffic trapping the INFINITY for a day depth to see how this all came about. are regularly cruising to Hawaii from and causing the MARCO POLO to California on roundtrip voyages. They have bypass a stop there as well. The Oceania Cruises was first to be acquired. asked the Bureau of Customs and Border MARCO POLO has been sold and the This was announced in a press release Protection to look into requiring ships on Orient Lines subsidiary will disappear dated February 26, 2007. Apollo bought a that service to spend at least two days in following a final season in Antarctica. 60% stake in Oceania in a transaction Mexico to comply with Jones Act The ship, built in 1965 as ALEXANDR valued at $850 million. Shortly after the restrictions. This could have a devastating PUSHKIN, will continue to sail under acquisition, Oceania placed orders for two affect not only on California departures, but charter to the German, TransOcean brand new ships from Fincantieri. Each ship also on Alaska cruises that make only brief Tours. NCL also sold their 1988 built will be 782 feet long with an exceptionally stops in . Instead of blaming foreign NORWEGIAN CROWN, which has wide beam of 105 feet, carrying 1,260 competition, they need to recognize their flip-flopped between that name and her passengers. The 65,000 gross ton ships are own culpability in the Hawaii mess, by original name of CROWN ODYSSEY, slated for delivery in 2010 and 2011 and utilizing ships that were too large for the to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines which there is an option for a third sistership. All of market, provided vastly inferior service, and renamed her BALMORAL. The the present three-ship fleet are former could not generate the revenues that were comfortable cruise liner was stretched Renaissance Cruises vessels. They are the projected, and needed, to maintain a at Blohm & Voss, Hamburg increasing INSIGNIA (ex. R ONE, REGATTA) built in successful American flag operation. Sadly, her capacity by 35% which upped the 1998, the REGATTA (ex. R TWO, the ship that was perfect for Hawaii, the tonnage to 43,000. With the new INSIGNIA) also from 1998, and the INDEPENDENCE, languishes at a lay-up addition Fred. Olsen now has five NAUTICA (ex. R FIVE, BLUE DREAM {i}) dock in San Francisco’s China Basin under classic cruise ships in their fleet. built in 2000. Since this line’s inception in the new name OCEANIC. It may be 2003 they have received generally favorable remembered that after being named SEA Regent Seven Seas Cruises was the reviews and seem to have found their niche LUCK 1, this ship had also been named final cruise line acquired by Apollo among modern travelers starving for OCEANIC INDEPENDENCE. The veteran Management in 2007. After months of comfortable ships of this size; 30,277 gross liner had her mast removed and is being rumors, the deal went down on tons, 684 passengers. stripped of her fittings, most likely in December 10 th , for a reported $1 preparation for a final voyage to the scrap billion. The cruise line will keep it’s Norwegian Cruise Line was going through yard. The UNITED STATES remains in identity intact, but along with Oceania a very tough year before the $1 billion Philadelphia with little hope for an Cruises, ownership will be rolled into a infusion of cash from Apollo helped to keep operational future, despite earlier promises single company called Prestige Cruise them afloat. The transaction took place in by NCL executives. The most famous of all Holdings, Inc. The Regent brand will August, when Apollo took a 50% share in Norwegian Cruise Line ships, the s.s. continue to focus on the luxury end of NCL with the other 50% retained by Star NORWAY spent another year stranded on the market. Also in 2007, Regent Cruises. Chairman and CEO the beach of Alang, while the Indian extended an operating agreement for Tan Sri K T Lim, welcomed his new Supreme Court debated her fate. In the end the chartered PAUL GAUGUIN until partners calling it “the start of the most they ruled that the ship could be scrapped, January, 2010. Hopefully not too many exciting chapter of all.” The extra cash will as there was no feasible way to remove her, changes will be forced on this fine help to pay down debt and go towards while rejecting claims from environmental company. groups over asbestos and other hazardous 6 SSHSA

Crystal Cruises rarely makes the news, vessel will carry only 140 passengers on which is a very positive thing. What they do luxury cruises to Antarctica. The existing four well is operate their two ships CRYSTAL ship fleet continues to sail worldwide SYMPHONY and CRYSTAL SERENITY, itineraries, and is consistently ranked near the quietly and efficiently, in considerable top among luxury lines. luxury. They are consistently voted the “Best Large Ship Cruise Line” by leading Discovery World Cruises has been renamed consumer travel magazines. Crystal offers 7 Voyages Of Discovery . Their 20,000 ton to 106-day voyages to 185 ports in 57 flagship DISCOVERY is best known as the countries on all seven continents. Parent original ISLAND PRINCESS (ex. ISLAND company N.Y.K. Line operates cruises for VENTURE). IN 2007, they announced they SEA DIAMOND and SKY WONDER Japanese customers with the former had acquired a second ship, the 12,500 ton, CRYSTAL HARMONY, now renamed 394 passenger EXPLORER II. The ship was to ASUKA II. operated under a long-term lease agreement, a checkered past having been burnt but has more recently turned up as the start- out and run aground in separate MSC Cruises continued their quest to up ship for a revitalized Swan Hellenic under a incidents, over a career that has seen become one of the major players in previous name, MINERVA (i). her sail under six previous names. In cruising, while keeping most of their order, those are VIKING SAGA, resources in Europe, rather than North Phoenix Reisen GMBH of Bonn, Germany SALLY ALBATROSS, LEEWARD, America. For the winter 2007/2008 only one continues to have a very successful charter SUPERSTAR TAURUS, SILJA vessel, MSC LIRICA will return to Florida for operation. In 2007, they operated four ocean- OPERA and OPERA. Louis Cruise winter cruises to the Caribbean, when in going passenger ships and one river boat, Lines is a virtual museum of 13 old previous years there have been two. The primarily for German passengers. The ships from the 1950’s through the MSC LIRICA scored a perfect 100 on its aforementioned MINERVA was much in 1980’s. latest U.S. Public Health Inspection. MSC demand, sailing for Phoenix as the took delivery of the MSC ORCHESTRA, the ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLT. This 436 foot Monarch Classic Cruises is another second ship in a quartet of 92,400 gross ton long ship was built in 1989 as the OKEAN and smaller Greek company that marketed new builds. The ship is Panamax size of converted to the MINERVA before being sold themselves in the U.S. during 2007. In 964 feet long and 105 feet wide. It carries to Saga Holidays as SAGA PEARL and addition to the aforementioned OCEAN 2,550 passengers double occupancy with a operating under charter to Abercrombie & COUNTESS, they also operated the maximum of 3,000. The christening Kent as EXPLORER II. The mainstay of BLUE MONARCH (ex. ceremony was performed by actress Sophia Phoenix Reisen has been the steamship RENAISSANCE, HOMERIC Loren, who is now godmother to the last MAXIM GORKIY (ex. HAMBURG, RENAISSANCE, WORLD four MSC ships. Future sister, MSC HANSEATIC) built in 1969. Sadly, it has been RENAISSANCE, AWANI DREAM, POESIA was floated on the same announced that the old ship will be retired in WORLD RENAISSANCE {again}, September day that the MSC MAGNIFICA November, 2008. Phoenix Reisen’s other two GRAND VICTORIA) and the OCEAN had its first steel cut. The naming of Costa’s ships are the ALBATROS (ii), (ex. ROYAL MONARCH (ex. PORT SYDNEY, SERENA, prompted MSC to change their VIKING SEA, ROYAL ODYSSEY {ii}, AKROTIRI EXPRESS, DAPHNE, similarly named newbuilding MSC , NORWEGIAN STAR 1, SWITZERLAND). The OCEAN SERENATA to MSC SPLENDIDA. The CROWN, CROWN MARE NOSTRUM) built in MONARCH has now been sold to the largest ships ever built for the European 1973 and the AMADEA built as the ASUKA for Portuguese, Arcalia Shipping for their market, the 133,500 gross ton ship will N.Y.K. in 1991. It is an eclectic fleet with Classic International Cruises , under enter service in March, 2009, while her vessels built in four different decades. the new name of PRINCESS sister MSC FANTASIA arrives in November, DAPHNE. She rejoins her sister 2008. When the extensive building program Louis Cruise Lines began marketing in the PRINCESS DANAE (ex. PORT is completed, MSC Cruises will have a fleet United States under their own name for the , THERISSOS of 12 cruise ships. first time. Their luck could not have been EXPRESS, DANAE, STARLIGHT worse, as they promptly sank their flagship PRINCESS, BALTICA) in 2008. SEA DIAMOND (ex. BIRKA PRINCESS) on Budget operator easyCruise added April 6 th at Santorini, Greece. The day before, their second ocean-going ship the ship ran aground in the heavily traveled EASYCRUISE LIFE built in Poland caldera and began taking on water. After 15 in1981 for the Soviet Union as LEV hours, it sank, with the loss of two passengers. TOLSTOY. The ship has changed The remaining passengers were returned to names frequently, also cruising as Piraeus on the PERLA (ex. SOUTHWARD, NATASHA, PALMIRA, THE JASMIN SEAWING) and Golden Star Cruises 1957- and FARAH. The 12,711 gross ton built AEGEAN TWO (ex. AUSONIA, IVORY). ship is currently being refit as a high The sunken wreck is leaking 400 tons of diesel density, 500 passenger cruiser, with facilities such as a “Wellness Zone” fuel, and the cruise line has been sued by the Greek government. For a summer and a

replacement, they borrowed Monarch Classic “Chill Out Zone.” Original ship, MSC LIRICA off Dominican Republic Cruises OCEAN COUNTESS (ex. CUNARD EASYCRUISEONE (ex.

COUNTESS, AWANI DREAM II, OLYMPIC RENAISSANCE II, THE NEPTUNE, COUNTESS, OLYMPIA COUNTESS, OCEAN THE NEPTUNE 2) spent the summer Silversea Cruises placed an order for a COUNTESS, LILI MARLEEN) and renamed season cruising among the Greek new 36,000 ton luxury ship to be delivered her RUBY. As a permanent replacement for Islands. That ship is only 4,077 gross by Fincantieri in November, 2009. They also their loss, Louis quickly purchased and tons and carries 232 passengers. In purchased the 6,072 gross ton WORLD renamed CRISTAL for $49 million. This 2007, 23 new cabins were added, so DISCOVERER, which was built in 1989 as unusual looking, 1980-built ship has had quite the ship is virtually all small cabins with the SALLY CLIPPER. The ice-strengthened 7 SSHSA almost no public rooms. No news was TARASOVA) to International Shipping the ANASTASIS in 1979. She was the forthcoming on new construction or Partners, a passenger management company last surviving Lloyd Triestino liner, in partnerships that were announced in 2006. based in Miami. They are primarily involved in what was once a large passenger fleet. ship charters, and Intrav may charter back the Imperial Majesty Cruise Line continues to CLIPPER ADVENTURER for part of each Hurtigruten is the new official name operate the REGAL EMPRESS (ex. year. In 2006, the American side of Clipper for the company formerly known as the OLYMPIA, CARIBE I) as the oldest ocean was sold to Cruise West . The two coastal Norwegian Coastal Voyage . Often liner cruising from North America. The 54 vessels, NANTUCKET CLIPPER and overlooked in shipping circles, the line year old ship still ranks among the highest YORKTOWN CLIPPER were renamed SPIRIT operates 16 ships. They took delivery scoring vessels for cleanliness, receiving a OF NANTUCKET and SPIRIT OF of a new expedition ship in April, the 98 on her most recent U.S. Public Health YORKTOWN respectively. On November 8 th 318 passenger FRAM. The ship was inspection. Cruises depart every two days the SPIRIT OF NANTUCKET struck a christened in Oslo on May 19 th by from Port Everglades, Florida to the submerged object and was deliberately run Crown Princess Mette Marit. Like her Bahamas, and are one of the great aground after taking on water in the namesake, this FRAM is designed for pleasures left in the world of modern day Intracoastal Waterway off Virginia. Following polar expedition cruising, primarily in shipping. repairs, the vessel will be renamed SPIRIT OF Greenland and Antarctica. The 66-day GLACIER BAY and relocate to the West repositioning voyages are being sold Majestic America Line runs the oldest Coast for 2008. First Choice Cruises, replaced as an alternative, longitudinal World operating vessel in the United States, the Clipper with their purchase of Quark Cruise, from Reykjavik, Iceland to famous 1927 steamboat DELTA QUEEN. In Expeditions , a polar cruise company. Ushuaia, Argentina or vice-versa. The August, they announced her retirement oldest unit in the fleet, the would come in November, 2008 due to lack American Cruise Lines took delivery of their NORDSTJERNEN of 1956 remained of action on legislation necessary to grant latest small ship which was named on scheduled cruises to Spitzbergen in her a continuing exemption from SOLAS AMERICAN STAR. The maiden voyage the Arctic, where she was joined by the regulations. As the only overnight departed June 2 nd beginning a summer POLAR STAR (ex. NJORD). The passenger boat with a wooden program of 7-day New cruises. In coastal vessel LYNGEN (ex. superstructure, the DELTA QUEEN remains 2008, a new division, Pearl Sea Cruises will MIDNATSOL) was sold to Lindblad threatened, although serious efforts are begin operations with the first of two 8,700 Expeditions, to be made over as a underway to preserve this American icon in gross ton, 210 passenger vessels, newly built deluxe expedition ship under the new service. It was a rough year for the cruise for operations in the Canadian Maritimes, name of NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC line which had expanded rapidly to a seven Great Lakes, and winter in the Caribbean. The EXPLORER. The 2,612 gross ton vessel fleet of river and coastal boats. The names of the ships have not been announced, LOFOTON, built in 1964, is the only MISSISSIPPI QUEEN remained idle, her but they will not fly the American flag. remaining traditional vessel on the interior completely gutted out. Neither she, Hurtigruten, coastal service. She takes nor the 48-passenger CONTESSA will sail B.C. Ferries received the first in a trio of over in the winter months while the in 2008. In Alaska, EMPRESS OF THE 21,980 gross ton ferries being constructed in NORDNORGE is off cruising in NORTH ran hard aground again, 50 nautical Germany. Dubbed the Super C-class, the first Antarctica. There was plenty of drama miles south of Juneau, sustaining several ship, COASTAL RENAISSANCE, was in Antarctica during 2007. The holes in her hull. It was the fourth grounding launched, traditional-style in April. She arrived incidents began on January 30, 2007 for the vessel since it was built in 2003. At in Nanaimo, on December when the 11,386 ton NORDKAPP ran th the time of the May 14 accident, the 360 13 th after a 48-day, 10,000 nautical mile aground on Deception Island. Nearly foot long boat was under control of a 22 delivery voyage. The other two vessels have 200 gallons of diesel fuel was year old navigator, who had never been in been named COASTAL INSPIRATION and discharged into the pristine those waters before and had limited COASTAL CELEBRATION. They seem to be environment. The NORDNORGE training. All 206 passengers and 75 crew appropriating cruise ship names for these safely rescued all 294 passengers were safely evacuated and the vessel was vessels, which will be the largest double- from her identical sister. The damaged repaired. However, late in the year it was ended ferries in the world. ship was repaired but her three withdrawn from service again to repair remaining Antarctica itineraries had to th propulsion problems. The smaller QUEEN While Mercy Ships may not exactly be a be cancelled. On December 28 , the OF THE WEST replaced her for the passenger ship company, they do utilize FRAM lost power and drifted into the remainder of the 2007 season on the former passenger ships, and this year cliff of a glacial iceberg, damaging one Columbia River programs. On the positive presented major changes in their operations. of her lifeboats, which caused the side, Majestic America Line has significantly The AFRICA MERCY (ex. DRONNING following cruise to be cancelled. In the upgraded the quality of food and comfort INGRID, INGRID) finally completed her most serious incident, the aboard their river fleet. The experience is conversion work and entered service. Built in NORDNORGE again helped rescue all one of the most pleasant to be found in 1980, the 16,572 gross ton former Danish 154 passengers and crew from the cruising. Company president David Ferry is now the world’s largest non- sinking EXPLORER. Giersdorf, left the line after resigning governmental hospital ship. The original rail th October 25 , which should help things to decks have been turned into a large hospital, G.A.P Adventures were the operator get back on track. Ambassador’s Chairman complete with six operating theaters. The ship of the EXPLORER (ex. LINDBLAD and CEO, Joe Uebberroth will assume the has 484 berths. As AFRICA MERCY began EXPLORER, SOCIETY EXPLORER) position of interim president. Ambassadors her new career, the veteran ANASTASIS (ex. at the time of her loss. Although the International also purchased the three ship VICTORIA) ended hers. The two ships precise reason for her sinking may Windstar Cruises fleet in 2007. rendezvoused at Monrovia, Liberia to transfer never be known, the ship struck an supplies and equipment. Then ANASTASIS iceberg in the early morning hours of Clipper Cruise Line is no more. Parent stopped in Cape Town, South Africa for fuel November 23, 2007. Passengers were company Intrav, itself a division of First the night of July 14 th , before sailing under her told that water was coming in through Choice, sold off the CLIPPER ODYSSEY own power to the scrappers at Alang, India. a fist-size hole. Eventually, water and CLIPPER ADVENTURER (ex. ALLA The VICTORIA was built in 1953 and became flooded the engine room, knocking 8 SSHSA out power and the ship was doomed. The QUEENS. Her greatest fame was as the designed AQUARAMA. This “ocean ship was designed and built to operate in combiliner EXCHAMBION, one of American liner on the Great Lakes” was 523 feet this type of environment and under normal Export Lines, postwar “Four Aces”. The ship long and 12,773 gross tons; definitely circumstances should have survived what had been the TEXAS CLIPPER since 1965. the biggest passenger ship on Lake seems to have been a minor encounter with After years of rotting away, the last remnants Erie. With the bridge located in the ice. There may have been a rock lodged in of the wreck of AMERICAN STAR round structure of the dummy funnel, the ice, and there is a possibility that a disappeared below the surface at the exterior look was unique. She second iceberg might have delivered the Fuerteventura, Canary Islands. Best spent much more time laid up than she fatal blow. The 2,393 gross ton EXPLORER remembered as the s.s. AMERICA the ship ever did sailing. While idle in her later sank in 4,921 feet of water, in the Bansfield was renamed WEST POINT during World War years, she reverted to her original Strait near King George Island. There were II. After the war she regained her original name, MARINE STAR. The ship 48,000 gallons of light marine diesel fuel name AMERICA before being sold to Chandris arrived at Aliaga, Turkey in October, aboard. As the LINDBLAD EXPLORER, the as their AUSTRALIS. A brief and failed after the long tow from Lackawanna, little orange, (later red) ship was built in attempt to revive cruising from New York saw New York. Both AQUARAMA and the 1969 as the world’s first expedition her named AMERICA again in 1978, before ship intended to be PRESIDENT passenger vessel. Besides pioneering reverting to Chandris as the ITALIS. During JACKSON of 1950, were the visionary cruises to the Antarctic, she was the first this period one of her two funnels was designs of George Sharp. The passenger ship to navigate the Northwest removed. The ship spent many years laid up PRESIDENT JACKSON never got to Passage in 1984. Only 246 feet long, the in Greece during which time she was renamed sail with revenue passengers instead LINDBLAD EXPLORER had a huge impact ALFERDOSS, then NOGA, and finally being completed as the Korean War on the travel industry and was much loved AMERICAN STAR. While under tow in bad era troopship U.S.S. BARRETT (T- by her passengers and crew. G.A.P quickly weather, she ran aground on Fuerteventura on AP196). The ship was 503 feet long chartered the attractive little ship POLARIS January 18, 1994. Now the great liner is just a and 73 feet wide with a gross tonnage from the Murmansk Shipping Company, as memory. The scrap yards of the world of 13,319. With its rounded a replacement. I have not been able to continued to claim ships that the seas didn’t superstructure and twin uptakes locate former names for this ship but it is get first. As previously mentioned, the most instead of a traditional funnel, the ship not the same POLARIS (ex. ORESUND, famous liner on the beach continued to be the would have made an unmistakably LINDBLAD POLARIS) that currently sails BLUE LADY (ex. FRANCE, NORWAY). The modern, mid-20 th Century ocean liner. for Lindblad Expeditions. This replacement great ship was beached at Alang on August In later years the ship sailed as the was built in 1968 at Svendborg, . 15, 2006, and has sat there deteriorating in New York Maritime Academy training She carries 74 passengers and 36 crew, is the harsh Indian weather ever since. Late in ship EMPIRE STATE V, with the name 211 feet long, and measures 2,097 tons. If the year, she was stripped of her fittings, and eventually shortened to EMPIRE a ship like the EXPLORER can be sunk by the first minor cut was made. Scrapping STATE and then just to STATE. After ice, it just proves that large, non ice-class should proceed in earnest throughout 2008. deteriorating in the Ft. Eustis, Virginia ships like those of Holland America Line Scrapping is well underway on the reserve fleet, the ship went for scrap at and Princess Cruises, to name just two, ANASTASIS (ex. VICTORIA). Another sad Bay Bridge Enterprises of have no business sailing in Antarctic arrival at Alang is the lovely cruise ship Chesapeake, Virginia. waters. ODESSA which was renamed SYDNEY. This ship spent her career being unwanted at both More ships make for more news, and August was a particularly bad month for the beginning and end of her short life. The 2007 was a particularly eventful year. I collisions at sea. In the first incident, it was ship was laid down as the in sincerely hope this Year In Review more of a touch, when the bow of the 1973 but her original owners failed before she article, helps you to recall some of the THOMSON SPIRIT (ex. NIEUW saw service. The ship went to the Russians highlights and lowlights that have AMSTERDAM, PATRIOT, NIEUW instead and became the ODESSA. During this occurred on the oceans and waterways AMSTERDAM, SPIRIT) bumped the period she enjoyed a successful career until of the world. For myself, I decided to OCEAN MAJESTY (ex. JUAN MARCH, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, which say goodbye to the old year, and SOL CHRISTINA,KYPROS STAR, OCEAN put her on shaky financial ground. She was welcome the new one, in familiar MAJESTY, OLYMPIC, OCEAN MAJESTY, laid up under arrest at Naples, Italy from 1995 surroundings. The QUEEN MARY has HOMERIC) which is under charter to Page to 2002. The ship returned to the port of now been in Long Beach for 40 years, and Moy. The ships were mooring offshore Odessa, but funds to refurbish her did not and in that time, it has been my in Norway’s Geirangerfjord, on August 10 th materialize and she remained laid up. The pleasure to be a part of that history, as when the incident occurred. The much final voyage would be to the scrap yard. On both observer and participant. What smaller OCEAN MAJESTY took the brunt of January 6 th the former ODESSA transited the better place to bring this story and this the impact and lost a lifeboat. In a much Suez Canal and was beached in Alang by late year full circle than to join the New more serious accident, two lives were lost January. The ship has the dubious distinction Years Eve celebrations aboard one of when the 1962-built SALAMIS GLORY (ex. of being one of the most modern passenger the world’s great ocean liners. With ANNA NERY, DANAOS, ships to be scrapped. Another 1973-built thousands of people roaming her CONSTELLATION, MORNING STAR, passenger vessel, this one a ferry, found its decks and moving from lounge to REGENT SPIRIT) collided with the Israeli way to Alang. The IGNATIA III (ex. STENA lounge, the old ship was more alive freighter SHELLY (ex. DORA, LOTI) cutting SCANDINAVIA, ST. KILLIAN, ST. KILLIAN II, than I had ever seen her. In that festive that ship in two and sinking her, on August MEDINA STAR), had been with Hellenic atmosphere, she could have been in 30 th . Mediterranean Lines since 2002. The ship had mid-Atlantic or tied to a California pier. a very attractive exterior profile. During 2007, The spirit of the evening made the Another sinking occurred on November 17 th , the final scrapping of the s.s. MONTEREY (ex. location irrelevant. That’s how I but this time it was intentional. The FREE STATE MARINER) was completed at celebrated in the New Year. I hope decommissioned training ship U.S.T.S. Alang. Two lesser known, but wonderfully your celebration was grand too. As TEXAS CLIPPER went to the bottom as an designed American ships also met their ends always, I close by wishing you a very artificial reef and dive site off South Padre at other scrap yards. The MARINE STAR was Happy New Year and Happy Cruising. Island, Texas. This famous American ship built in 1945 as a C-4 type cargo ship, but will was commissioned in 1944 as the U.S.S. always be best remembered as the streamline 9 SSHSA

Read Shawn Dake's story of the Steamboat DELTA

QUEEN on line. In a publication the size of the OCEAN TIMES it is not always possible to cover every important story. One you won't want to miss is available at the website www.maritimematters.com . The story, LOG OF THE STEAMBOAT DELTA QUEEN: Along Southern Rivers, by Shawn J. Dake, blends the saga of a contemporary cruise aboard the 1227-built steamboat with historical facets from her 81 years of service. The three-part article combines fascinating text illustrated with 90 photographs by the author. The direct address is www.maritimematters.com/dakes_deltaq ueen-blog1.html . The future of the DELTA QUEEN is in jeopardy, but at the end of the story you will find important links which enable readers to help preserve this important piece of American history, so The new QUEEN VICTORIA makes her maiden call to L.A. January 30, 2008 future travelers can enjoy a cruise like the one described. Check it out!

QE2 as seen in Los Angeles 2005, will make her final visit to the city of angles March 30, 2008.

10 SSHSA NEW CRUISE SHIPS ON ORDER Compiled by Shawn J. Dake Cruise Line/Ship Name Gross Tonnage Delivery Date Shipyard Builder AIDA CRUISES

AIDABELLA 68,500 April, 2008 Meyer Werft

UNNAMED 68,500 April, 2009 Meyer Werft

UNNAMED 71,000 April, 2010 Meyer Werft

UNNAMED 71,000 April, 2011 Meyer Werft UNNAMED 71,000 May , 2012 Meyer Werft CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES CARNIVAL SPLENDOR 112,000 June, 2008 Fincantieri CARNIVAL DREAM 130,000 October, 2009 Fincantieri CARNIVAL MAGIC 130,000 June, 2011 Fincantieri CELEBRITY CRUISES CELEBRITY SOLSTICE 122,000 December, 2008 Meyer Werft 122,000 Summer, 2009 Meyer Werft CELEBRITY ECLIPSE 122,000 June, 2010 Meyer Werft UNNAMED 122,000 Fall, 2011 Meyer Werft COSTA CROCIERE COSTA LUMINOSA 92,700 Spring, 2009 Fincantieri COSTA PACIFICA 112,000 Summer, 2009 Fincantieri UNNAMED 92,700 March, 2010 Fincantieri UNNAMED 114,200 Spring, 2011 Fincantieri UNNAMED 114,200 Spring, 2012 Fincantieri CUNARD QUEEN ELIZABETH 92,000 Fall, 2010 Fincantieri DISNEY CRUISE LINE UNNAMED 122,000 Spring, 2011 Meyer Werft UNNAMED 122,000 Spring, 2012 Meyer Werft HOLLAND AMERICA LINE EURODAM 86,000 June, 2008 Fincantieri UNNAMED 86,000 October, 2010 Fincantieri MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY CRUISES (MSC CRUISES) MSC POESIA 92,400 April, 2008 Aker Yards France MSC FANTASIA 133,500 November, 2008 Aker Yards France MSC SPLENDIDA 133,500 March, 2009 Aker Yards France MSC MAGNIFICA 92,400 Spring, 2010 Aker Yards France NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE UNNAMED 150,000 November, 2009 Aker Yards France UNNAMED 150,000 April, 2010 Aker Yards France OCEANIA CRUISES UNNAMED 65,000 September, 2010 Fincantieri UNNAMED 65,000 July, 2011 Fincantieri PEARL SEA CRUISES UNNAMED 8,700 July, 2008 Irving Shipbuilding UNNAMED 8,700 June, 2009 Irving Shipbuilding P & O CRUISES VENTURA 116,000 April, 2008 Fincantieri UNNAMED 116,000 Spring, 2010 Finacntieri PRINCESS CRUISES RUBY PRINCESS 113,000 November, 2008 Fincantieri ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS 158,000 April, 2008 Aker Finland UNNAMED (Genesis Class i) 220,000 Fall, 2009 Aker Finland UNNAMED (Genesis Class ii) 220,000 August, 2010 Aker Finland SEABOURN CRUISE LINE SEABOURN ODYSSEY 32,000 Spring, 2009 T. Mariotti SpA UNNAMED 32,000 Spring, 2010 T. Mariotti SpA UNNAMED 32,000 Summer, 2011 T. Mariotti SpA SILVERSEA CRUISES UNNAMED 3 6,000 November, 2009 Fincantieri TOTAL NEW SHIPS ON ORDER 42 TOTAL GROSS TONNAGE ON ORDER 4,218,000

The above information is accurate as of December 29, 2007. As with all aspects of the cruise industry, the information is subject to change. Current tonnage on order has once again passed the 4 million gross ton mark. The most recent contracts are nearly evenly split between vessels over 100,000 gross tons and those below that figure. Although a significant area of growth has been from orders placed by luxury cruise operators, overall 90% of the total berth capacity is on large ships owned by major brands. Another significant shift, is the increase of orders for European cruise companies. As these newbuilds come on line, the cruise industry will continue to see significant expansion through 2012.