Regal Empress - another classic liner on the verge of being lost
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Regal Empress - another classic liner on the verge of being lost
The 1953 Clyde built ship will sadly bow out of service in 2010 as the new SOLAS regulations come into force. As to her future once she ends her service, nothing is as yet known, however chances are, she will be joining many other elderly ships at the breakers when the rules change.
Nothing has been said by Imperial Majesty as to a replacement ship. Regal Empress joined the company in 2003, taking over from another venerable old lady, Oceanbreeze which was scrapped.
Whatever replaces Regal Empress, possibly the last chapter in this classic liner's life will have ended, possibly on the beaches of India or Bangladesh.
__________________ Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...
Future Cruises Booked
15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights
10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung & Hong Kong - 16 Nights
Past Cruises : 1965 - RMS Queen Mary *** 1967 - RMS Queen Elizabeth *** 1970 - RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 *** 1971 - P&O Oriana *** 1972 - SS France *** 1975 - SS Leopard *** 1977 - P&O Canberra *** 2005 - NCL Norwegian Jewel - Shakedown Cruise *** 2005/6 - NCL Norwegian Crown - Cape Horn Christmas/New Year Cruise *** 2006/7 - Fred Olsen Braemar (Mini Cruise x 2 & Transatlantic) *** 2007 - NCL Norwegian Gem - Shakedown Cruise *** 2008 - Costa Allegra - Treasures of the Far East Cruise
__________________ Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...
Future Cruises Booked
15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights
10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung & Hong Kong - 16 Nights
Past Cruises : 1965 - RMS Queen Mary *** 1967 - RMS Queen Elizabeth *** 1970 - RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 *** 1971 - P&O Oriana *** 1972 - SS France *** 1975 - SS Leopard *** 1977 - P&O Canberra *** 2005 - NCL Norwegian Jewel - Shakedown Cruise *** 2005/6 - NCL Norwegian Crown - Cape Horn Christmas/New Year Cruise *** 2006/7 - Fred Olsen Braemar (Mini Cruise x 2 & Transatlantic) *** 2007 - NCL Norwegian Gem - Shakedown Cruise *** 2008 - Costa Allegra - Treasures of the Far East Cruise
The parent company of Imperial Majesty Line have bought the ex Norwegian, 1981 built, Colour Line ferry ms Princess Ragnhild
She is 35,970 grt and at present is fitted with both bow and stern doors.
No date has so far been announced for her to enter service.
There is no news on the future of the Regal Empress although some time back it was suggested that she might be preserved in Greece having been the Greek Line passenger ship Olympia.
Regal Empress is a lovely old ship. I have been privilege to see her on two occasions,
One berthed and leaving Port Everglade on her every other day to to Nassau.
The second occasion was when cruising on the Norwegian Dawn calling at Nassau and she was berthed.
Had hoped she would be there on our Transatlantic cruise in March 2009. A cruise Ally is also a passenger. Unfortunately the day we berth on Costa Fortuna is the odd day she is in Fort Lauderdale.
A sample of some of my photos are below,
Norman
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Past Cruise
Hurtigruten-Bergen-Kirkenes-Bergen P&O Arcadia – Baltic Cruise
MSC Lirica –Transatlantic x2 Gerona –Port Everglades NCL Dawn – NY-Bahamas-NY
Nile river cruise
MSC Lirica-Jamaica-Cartagena -Panama-Roatan Island
NLC Jewel – Miami -Caribbean NCL Star – Mexican Rivera
NCL Gem – Transatlantic Barcelona –Boston NCL Jade –Transatlantic – Miami - Barcelona
Olsens Boudicca – France – Eire – Scottish Highlands
NCL Jewel Sept 17 2007 Transatlantic Dover to NY
There has been talk some while back that she may be preserved in Greece, when she is withdrawn from service.
Having been built in Scotland it would be nice if she could go to somewhere like Glasgow, if Greece do not have her, rather than finish up as razor blades.
She has had various funnels over the years but the present one is quite smart.
Galveston officials wanted a cruise ship to house rescue and repair workers in Galveston. I wonder if I will get to see her next week.....depends if the plane goes over that area
__________________ Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...
Future Cruises Booked
15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights
10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung & Hong Kong - 16 Nights
Past Cruises : 1965 - RMS Queen Mary *** 1967 - RMS Queen Elizabeth *** 1970 - RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 *** 1971 - P&O Oriana *** 1972 - SS France *** 1975 - SS Leopard *** 1977 - P&O Canberra *** 2005 - NCL Norwegian Jewel - Shakedown Cruise *** 2005/6 - NCL Norwegian Crown - Cape Horn Christmas/New Year Cruise *** 2006/7 - Fred Olsen Braemar (Mini Cruise x 2 & Transatlantic) *** 2007 - NCL Norwegian Gem - Shakedown Cruise *** 2008 - Costa Allegra - Treasures of the Far East Cruise
She's a lovely old ship, Neil...sadly destined for Alang's beaches
__________________ Ally - CruisingTalk Administrator Whenever I mention exercise, I go wash my mouth out with chocolate...
Future Cruises Booked
15/03/2009 - Costa Fortuna - Transatlantic - Ft Lauderdale, Nassau, Catalina Island, St Maarten, Guadeloupe, Barbados, Tenerife, Madeira, Barcelona & Savona - 17 Nights
10/10/2009 - Costa Classica - Grand Oriental Cruise - Shanghai, Nagasaki, Tokyo, Kobe, Naha, Keelung & Hong Kong - 16 Nights
Past Cruises : 1965 - RMS Queen Mary *** 1967 - RMS Queen Elizabeth *** 1970 - RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 *** 1971 - P&O Oriana *** 1972 - SS France *** 1975 - SS Leopard *** 1977 - P&O Canberra *** 2005 - NCL Norwegian Jewel - Shakedown Cruise *** 2005/6 - NCL Norwegian Crown - Cape Horn Christmas/New Year Cruise *** 2006/7 - Fred Olsen Braemar (Mini Cruise x 2 & Transatlantic) *** 2007 - NCL Norwegian Gem - Shakedown Cruise *** 2008 - Costa Allegra - Treasures of the Far East Cruise
There had been talk that Greece was interested in having her back, when she is withdrawn from service, and re-fitting her as the Olympia again for use as a museum ship.