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nmnita
Guest
Re: Another NCL ship leaves Hawaii
yes, this was announced yesterday. My boss emailed me the information. At present NCLA plans on keeping the POA in Hawaii until at least 2010. My guess, that will be the end of American flagged ships in Hawaii.
It is too bad, but not all experiments work and when it was tried before it didn't work either,
Nita
yes, this was announced yesterday. My boss emailed me the information. At present NCLA plans on keeping the POA in Hawaii until at least 2010. My guess, that will be the end of American flagged ships in Hawaii.
It is too bad, but not all experiments work and when it was tried before it didn't work either,
Nita
D
Don Clark
Guest
Re: Another NCL ship leaves Hawaii
I knew something may be up after the May and June Hawaiian cruises were suddenly pulled from booking.
Part of the Apollo Management buy-in deal few knew was that the NCLA operations (Aloha and America) weren't included in the deal financially. By December 31, NCL had to figure out whether to pay Star ~$500 million in cash for both ships and keep NCLA in business, or kill NCLA, or a part of it, give the Aloha to Star, and pay Star over $100 million in cash for the America. By the way, the book value of the Aloha is $340 million, and the book value of the America is $450 million. The Aloha has no liens remaining, while NCL still owes the banks ~$250 million on the America.
So, Star will get a ship worth $340 million without any liens on it now, and apparently another $100 miilion or so in cash on December 31. So, they will be rewarded in a way for carrying the NCL financial load for 9 years. Also, with the Aloha departing, NCL reduces the cash amount owed to Star significantly, keeping most of the additional $1 billion from the Apollo buy-in at NCL, vs giving half of that away to keep both remaining NCLA ships. But it is a shame to lose a debt free ship. But the Aloha wasn't a fully Freestyle ship.
I'd expect NCL will soon announce further F3 class purchases soon, as son as they talk Aker into a better price, now that they will have the cash to get further financing.
Expect the Dream to transfer to Star this fall after it's lease/charter runs out, and the same for the Majesty late next year or early 2010.
It'll be interesting to see if the America remains in NCLA, or joins NCL later this year or next. There's no doubt in my mind that it will remain sailing from Honolulu for a long time, just a matter whether it will be 7 day American flag operations, or 10-11 day Bahamas flag operations. It's really not well suited sailing anywhere else without a casino, and being underpowered (slower than the rest of NCL's modern fleet) for a ship as large as it is. 21 knots cruising speed is not fast enough for NCL's aggressive itineraries.
Propulsion power for NCL ships:
America 25 MW 22 knots max.
Aloha, Sun 30 MW 23 knots max.
Star, Dawn, Jewel, Jade, Pearl, and Gem 39 MW, 25 knots max.
Spirit 40 MW, 25.5 knots max
F3 class 48 MW, (?) knots max. (confidential)
I knew something may be up after the May and June Hawaiian cruises were suddenly pulled from booking.
Part of the Apollo Management buy-in deal few knew was that the NCLA operations (Aloha and America) weren't included in the deal financially. By December 31, NCL had to figure out whether to pay Star ~$500 million in cash for both ships and keep NCLA in business, or kill NCLA, or a part of it, give the Aloha to Star, and pay Star over $100 million in cash for the America. By the way, the book value of the Aloha is $340 million, and the book value of the America is $450 million. The Aloha has no liens remaining, while NCL still owes the banks ~$250 million on the America.
So, Star will get a ship worth $340 million without any liens on it now, and apparently another $100 miilion or so in cash on December 31. So, they will be rewarded in a way for carrying the NCL financial load for 9 years. Also, with the Aloha departing, NCL reduces the cash amount owed to Star significantly, keeping most of the additional $1 billion from the Apollo buy-in at NCL, vs giving half of that away to keep both remaining NCLA ships. But it is a shame to lose a debt free ship. But the Aloha wasn't a fully Freestyle ship.
I'd expect NCL will soon announce further F3 class purchases soon, as son as they talk Aker into a better price, now that they will have the cash to get further financing.
Expect the Dream to transfer to Star this fall after it's lease/charter runs out, and the same for the Majesty late next year or early 2010.
It'll be interesting to see if the America remains in NCLA, or joins NCL later this year or next. There's no doubt in my mind that it will remain sailing from Honolulu for a long time, just a matter whether it will be 7 day American flag operations, or 10-11 day Bahamas flag operations. It's really not well suited sailing anywhere else without a casino, and being underpowered (slower than the rest of NCL's modern fleet) for a ship as large as it is. 21 knots cruising speed is not fast enough for NCL's aggressive itineraries.
Propulsion power for NCL ships:
America 25 MW 22 knots max.
Aloha, Sun 30 MW 23 knots max.
Star, Dawn, Jewel, Jade, Pearl, and Gem 39 MW, 25 knots max.
Spirit 40 MW, 25.5 knots max
F3 class 48 MW, (?) knots max. (confidential)
N
nmnita
Guest
Re: Another NCL ship leaves Hawaii
Don,
I feel as you do, the Dream will leave asap, I thought the Majesty was already scheduled for departure. With those 2 gone and the Crown already gone NCL will have one heck of a good product. I am not saying the Dream and Majesty are not good, but we all know they were not designed for freestyle. I have clients sailing the So American itinerary on the Dream next month. The wife choose it cause she loves freestyle and wanted hubby to have an opportunity to experience it. She is aware the ship wasn't designed for freestyle, but I am still afraid he will come back disappointed. AT best he may wonder what all the excitement about freestyle is.
Nita
Don,
I feel as you do, the Dream will leave asap, I thought the Majesty was already scheduled for departure. With those 2 gone and the Crown already gone NCL will have one heck of a good product. I am not saying the Dream and Majesty are not good, but we all know they were not designed for freestyle. I have clients sailing the So American itinerary on the Dream next month. The wife choose it cause she loves freestyle and wanted hubby to have an opportunity to experience it. She is aware the ship wasn't designed for freestyle, but I am still afraid he will come back disappointed. AT best he may wonder what all the excitement about freestyle is.
Nita
D
Don Clark
Guest
Re: Another NCL ship leaves Hawaii
[quote nmnita]Don,
I feel as you do, the Dream will leave asap, I thought the Majesty was already scheduled for departure. With those 2 gone and the Crown already gone NCL will have one heck of a good product. I am not saying the Dream and Majesty are not good, but we all know they were not designed for freestyle. I have clients sailing the So American itinerary on the Dream next month. The wife choose it cause she loves freestyle and wanted hubby to have an opportunity to experience it. She is aware the ship wasn't designed for freestyle, but I am still afraid he will come back disappointed. AT best he may wonder what all the excitement about freestyle is.
Nita[/quote]
Don't forget to tell them about the Sun Terraces La Trattoria on the Dream. It's hard to find, serves great pasta dishes, and has a better view than the Terraces Main Restaurant below. Best of all, it's free! Just hard to get a reservation at times. The Le Bistro food was great, but this restaurant was slightly disappointing because it had lousy views, as there were zero windows.
The Sports Bar Buffet is okay for a quick snack while sunbathing by the Lido Deck pools, but I don't recommend it for breakfast or lunch. Instead, try the one of the Main Restaurants, either the Four Seasons or the Terraces. for breakfast and lunch if you want to sit at a table to dine. There really aren't that many tables and chairs at the Sports Bar Buffet.
I also prefered the aft swiming pool, as it's very quiet. But for those who have to join in with the pool activities and games, that all occurs up on the Lido Deck.
Tell your friends they should go expecting to have a once in a lifetime adventure, and they will have a great time.
I'll agree the Dream isn't the best ship in NCL's fleet, but I've sailed on worse ships, and it isn't all that bad.
[quote nmnita]Don,
I feel as you do, the Dream will leave asap, I thought the Majesty was already scheduled for departure. With those 2 gone and the Crown already gone NCL will have one heck of a good product. I am not saying the Dream and Majesty are not good, but we all know they were not designed for freestyle. I have clients sailing the So American itinerary on the Dream next month. The wife choose it cause she loves freestyle and wanted hubby to have an opportunity to experience it. She is aware the ship wasn't designed for freestyle, but I am still afraid he will come back disappointed. AT best he may wonder what all the excitement about freestyle is.
Nita[/quote]
Don't forget to tell them about the Sun Terraces La Trattoria on the Dream. It's hard to find, serves great pasta dishes, and has a better view than the Terraces Main Restaurant below. Best of all, it's free! Just hard to get a reservation at times. The Le Bistro food was great, but this restaurant was slightly disappointing because it had lousy views, as there were zero windows.
The Sports Bar Buffet is okay for a quick snack while sunbathing by the Lido Deck pools, but I don't recommend it for breakfast or lunch. Instead, try the one of the Main Restaurants, either the Four Seasons or the Terraces. for breakfast and lunch if you want to sit at a table to dine. There really aren't that many tables and chairs at the Sports Bar Buffet.
I also prefered the aft swiming pool, as it's very quiet. But for those who have to join in with the pool activities and games, that all occurs up on the Lido Deck.
Tell your friends they should go expecting to have a once in a lifetime adventure, and they will have a great time.
I'll agree the Dream isn't the best ship in NCL's fleet, but I've sailed on worse ships, and it isn't all that bad.
N
nmnita
Guest
Re: Another NCL ship leaves Hawaii
thanks Don,
I have sold the Dream a few times but not many. My concern this time is the wife wants the husband to experience Freestyle and this isn't true freestyle but she knows this and so does he. Of course just doing So America will be a real treat and the price certainly was right.
thanks again for the advise.
Nita
thanks Don,
I have sold the Dream a few times but not many. My concern this time is the wife wants the husband to experience Freestyle and this isn't true freestyle but she knows this and so does he. Of course just doing So America will be a real treat and the price certainly was right.
thanks again for the advise.
Nita