Norway to sail Spring 2004, maybe

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njteech

Guest
The Norway, Norwegian Cruise Line's damaged ocean liner, will not sail again until spring 2004 -- at the earliest.
The ship, which suffered a boiler explosion in May, had been slated to return Oct. 5, but that timetable was too ambitious for any boiler manufacturer to meet, NCL said in a statement.

All passengers booked and deposited on the Norway will receive a full refund and a $50 onboard credit per person to switch to other NCL ships if they rebook by Sept. 30.

Passengers eager to sail on the Norway should hold off, at least for now: NCL will take the ship off sale, saying "it would not be fair or appropriate to announce a further launch date."

The ship will lay up at the Lloyd Werft repair yard in Bremerhaven, Germany, until a final decision has been made on which yard will win the repair contract.

I hope they repair her right so she'll sail for many years.
 
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newmexicoNita

Guest
cruzintex, in the meanwhile what are you cruising? I am having a terrible time finding anything for that first week of January that is turning us on, especially when I look at the prices. NMNita
 
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CruisinTex

Guest
Nita, haven't found anything yet. Little Sis and I have both been checking and nothing is turning us on either. The prices are pretty discouraging and we're going to end up in a much smaller cabin than what we had booked on the Norway - and paying a higher price!
 
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newmexicoNita

Guest
I have been checking all day off and on. The best we have found is: Sun which we have been on, but it's a super ship; the Sky, which would be fine but it's so hard to get in and out of San Juan (we have airline benies; translated into go to airport and hope like heck you get on the plane) also HAL has some good rates even on suites, but am concerned that 21 year old grandaughter will not have a very good time. It is discouraging. We want at least a balc after what we thought we would get. Oh well, guess we will just keep trying. NMNita
 
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CruisinTex

Guest
NCL is out for us. We're not even looking at NCL. We are "traditional" cruise type people and not interested in freestyle. We booked the Norway because she's an old liner and we love old liners - have been on the QE2 and stayed on the Queen Mary in Long Beach twice - and because Norway is traditional not freestyle. We'll probably end up on HAL's Zaandam out of Port Canaveral. HAL is my favorite line, so that's ok by me! Another one we're looking at is Princess Golden. Making sure the 21-yr. old has a good time is a very thoughtful thing for you to do, NMNita - the world needs more grandmas like you! :thumb



Post Edited (07-23-03 10:57)
 
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newmexicoNita

Guest
Crusintex, don't know your age, but if you don't have grandkids now I hope you do someday. I would do anything for any of the four, but especially Erica; she's the oldest and we are as close as a grandma and grandkid could be. I would just feel awful if she didn't have a good time. It's bad enough she will be cruising with mom, dad, grandma and grandad. She would take a friend, but a bunch of them are going to Vegas after they all turn 21 so money is an issue here. Anyway, we do love freestyle: funny how we all like something different. As for HAL, I know Erica would like the classiness of the ships and more than the rest of us, she certainly has the formal wear, but still think the Sun is a better bet. Hope this nightmere is over before long. Adding insult to injury our TA is on vacation for 3 weeks. Hope you find something that suits you. NMNita
 
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CruisinTex

Guest
Nita, hope you find something that suits all of you, too. I'm not a grandma yet but my 2 kids (ages 29 & 30) know that they need to change that situation one of these years!!! Good luck booking another cruise. Little Sis and I have decided that no matter which ship we book, it just won't be the Norway and won't be the same. We're already planning to be on her immediately if/when she returns.
 
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Cruzman

Guest
Hope she is back by May. If so, I think I would book the old gal. As for the other NCL ships, they are out for me as I am strictly a traditional cruiser and will settle for nothing less.
 
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SUNNYDAY

Guest
DEAR TEX WE ARE SO DISAPPOINTED ABOUT THE NORWAY WE WERE SCHEDULED FOR THE OCT.26 03 SAILING. JUST TOLD THE BAD NEWS TODAY WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR GOOD DEALS I HAVE BEEN PAID IN ADVANCE FOR 6 MONTHS . OH WELL NCL ACTED BADLY THOUGH. I HAVE NEVER CRUISED ON HAL IS IT REALLY A GOOD CRUISE LINE I HAVE CRUISED RCL AND CELEBRITY CRUISES AND I HAD A GREAT TIME . HOPE I CAN FIND A GOOD DEAL THERE IS SIX OF US I HAVE TO PAY FOR.
 
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Cruzman

Guest
Sunnyday, I wish you luck in finding an alternate cruise! Sounds like NCL has not treated you will. As for HAL, my favorite line. I highly recommend HAL. It is strictly traditional cruising with a lot of class. I might also add that you will never feel crowded on a HAL ship.
 
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CruisinTex

Guest
Sunnyday, I agree completely with Cruzman. HAL is also my favorite line, as I said in one of my posts above. HAL's ships are smaller than RCL and Celebrity and the passenger space ratio is better. Their service is outstanding. Well, that's JMHO, of course!!! HAL is offering some very attractive prices. I just got an e-mail from them yesterday and the Zuiderdam (their newest ship, just launched earlier this year) does an Eastern Carib itinerary on Oct. 11 with prices as follows: Inside $549, Outside $599, Verandah (Balcony) $759. This is promo #300, in case you'd want to check it out. What are the ages of your group of six? How do you all feel about traditional dining rather than freestyle - dressing up for dinner rather than going real casual? This would make a difference as to which cruise line you should be looking at. If you've sailed with RCL and Celebrity, you have the advantage of getting a past-passenger discount so that might be the least expensive option. Good luck - and let us know what you decide to do.
 
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