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Shipping News from 1999 @ MARITIME MATTERS.COM

For shipnews2000 click here

Y2K readiness at sea
December 28, 1999: The world's cruise lines have spent tens of millions of dollars on software, replacing computers and are now confident the onboard systems controlling propulsion, navigation, elevators and cabin locks will work in 2000, according to companies, analysts and consultants. There are fears, however, that they may still face possible electronic squalls arising at food vendors and other suppliers. But Carnival, Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines operating out of North America are stopping short of declaring full victory over possible Y2K disruptions caused by computers on January 1 misreading 2000 as the year 1900.

NORWEGIAN CAPRICORN gets state of the art check system
December 27, 1999: NORWEGIAN CAPRICORN, NCL based ship in Australia has a brand new experimental checkin system installed by Israel's Breezecom. The wireless system allows information on passengers to be transmitted from the ship to immigration authorities at the various ports of call while the ship is up to 437 yards from the dock.

Ferry MV ASIA SOUTH KOREA sinks, lives lost
December 27, 1999: A huge rescue operation involving the navy, the air force, merchant vessels and many fishing boats is underway in the Philiipines. The search continues for survivors from the 27 year old ferry MV ASIA SOUTH KOREA which capsized while on a 12-hour voyage from the central Philippine city of Cebu to the island of Iloilo on December 24th. 41 people are known to have died and 680 have been rescued, but the vessel may have been carrying more people than allowed. The ferry was carrying hundreds of adults children for the Christmas holidays, and sank in the Visayan Sea in the central Philippines.

Millenium celebrations on old ORIANA
December 24, 1999: The 1960 P&O liner ORIANA moored in Shanghai as a resort has millunium Celebration planned. The nine-day celebration December 24,1999-January 3 ,2000 will include a wide variety of programs including theme dinners, symphony concerts, buffets, fashion shows, auctions, and garden parties.

QUEEN MARY PROJECT to be built in Britain?
December 23, 1999: Maritime sources reveal that Lloyd Werft of Bremerhaven is bidding for the new Cunard mega ship on the basis of the hull being completed at the famous Belfast shipyard of Harland & Wolff.

CARNIVAL VICTORY floated out
December 22, 1999: Carnival Cruise Lines 101,300 GT newbuilding CARNIVAL VICTORY was floated out of Fincantieri's Monfalcone yard. The 3,360 passenger liner is scheduled for delivery in August 2000 and will cost around $430M

AURORA to be named by Princess Royal
December 1999: It was announced that AURORA P&0 Line under construction in Germany is to be named by the Princess Royal in a ceremony at Southampton on Thursday April 27, 2000. She will attend a Gala Dinner on board Aurora the previous evening after which she and other guests will take an overnight cruise prior to the naming ceremony the following day.

Star Cruises takes over NCL
December 20, 1999: One day after Carnival Lines dropped its attempt to take a majority interest in Norwegian Cruise Line, NCL, Star Cruises has swept in with 50.2 per cent. NCL is reported to be unhappy at the hostile take over.

Cunard naming ceremony in Liverpool
December 10, 1999: In a naming cermony in Liverpool, with Union flags and St George's flags flying, Pam Conover officially renamed VISTAFJORD to CARONIA, ( Mrs Madeleine Arison was ill). Cunard flags were flying from flagpoles all over the old Cunard building. Micky Arison, Howard Frank, Larry Pimentel and Mike Mueller from Carnival London were all there. The Liverpool Philharmonic played Rule Britannia, Land of Hope and Glory and many well-known anthems and Christmas carols while fireworks went off on the CARONIA's forecastle, the roof of the Cunard Building and later at midnight, midstream. CARONIUA sailed to Southampton where she was berthed behind the newly refitted QE2 preparing for her first transatlantic since her upgrade at Meyer Werft.

NCL bid over
Mid December 1999: Both Carnival Cruise Lines and Star Cruises have bid on NCL. It was reported also the Premier cruise line may also be interested.

EDINBURGH CASTLE gets long-term charter
December 2, 1999: UK shipyard Cammell Laird has agreed a 5 year charter for the cruise ship EDINBURGH CASTLE with Premier Cruise Lines. The ship, which is currently being extensively refurbished by Cammell Laird at Newcastle-upon Tyne, had suffered a series a break downs and lay up in Southampton before being purchased by Cammell Laird. The former Lowline ship will be renamed BIG RED BOAT II will join Premier's fleet in April 2000.

Replacements for ST HELENA
November 26, 1999: To continue the passenger service to St. Helena while the RMS. ST. HELENA is repaired, Curnow have chartered Royal Olympic's JASON with 272 berths. Due leave Piraeus 4 Dec, 1999 and arrive Malaga 7 December to embark passengers, so will not be calling at Avonmouth. Arrival at St. Helena is scheduled for 19 December. In Brest, cargo is being transshipped to the 1,577-ton Danish container ship ELISABETH BOYE which is scheduled to arrive 13 December after which she proceeds to Cape Town to then returns to St helena 4 January, 2000. Lastly the Cypriot-flag roll-on, roll-off freighter THORSRIVER will load containers at Cape Town 28 November to arrive at St Helena during the first week of December. She will then next sail from Cardiff February 10, 2000 for the Island. Repairs to ST HELENA are to likely take 10 weeks.

RMS St. HELENA, laid up Falmouth, JASON Chartered
November 26, 1999: RMS St. HELENA to be laid up at Falmouth, Cornwall follwong engine problems while Mirrlees makes a new starboard crankshaft. The island of St, Helena qualifies as the world's most remote place with a significant population. The JASON has been chartered the beginning of March, to reach St. Helena before Christmas with all parcels, supplies and food. There is no airport.

M/S PHILIPPINES, ex AUGUSTUS opens as restaurant in Manila
November 19, 1999: Berthed near, and operated by the Manila Hotel in Manila, Philippines is the intact ex AUGUSTUS with much of the original interior intact. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, the ship will open as an hotel early in 2000.

OCEAN EXPLORER 1 begins world cruises
November 19, 1999: OCEAN EXPLORER 1, operated by The World Cruise Company begins a 127-day round-the-world cruise starting and ending in Athens. Built in 1944 she will call at 35 ports in 23 countries with a special millennium celebration is planned in Santiago, Chile.

R4 christened
November 15, 1999: Renaissance Cruise's R4 was christened today in Ft Lauderdale The 30,400 GRT, 700 passenger was built at Chantiers De l'Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France. She will sail to her homeport of Papaetee, Tahiti for year round cruises to French Polynesia along with her identical sister ship R3.

RMS St. HELENA
November 15, 1999: The RMS St. HELENA, Curnow, now in Brest, with engine trouble, could be out of service for up to three months. Anxious islanders await news.

Premier announces stately REMBRANDT to become BIG RED BOAT IV
A brochure has been prepared with West Coast itineraries for (to be) the red hulled ship

Cunard Announces Largest Passenger Ship Ever Built
For artists impression click here here

MERMOZ renamed SERENADE
November 6, 1999: M/S Mermoz, bought by Louis Cruise Lines of Cyprus, has been renamed M/S SERENADE Louis Cruise Line is now the largest cruise operator in the Eastern Meditteranean.

United States Lines revived
October 27th, 1999: American Classic Voyages, AMCV, announced the revival of the United States Lines name. The new cruise brand, to be called United States Lines, for the recently purchased NIEUW AMSTERDAM (from Holland America) and the planned Project America ships.
In addition, the NIEUW AMSTERDAM will be renamed the PATRIOT effective October 2000. The maiden passenger carrying voyage of PATRIOT will be in the last week of November 2000. M/S Patriot will ssumed the route current sailed by the venerable S/S INDEPENDENCE which will be moving to Maui as her new home port, with Wednesday departures.

Lloyd Triestino revived
October 25, 1999: EVERGREEN the container line that recently instigated a survey to decide if it will enter the cruise trade, plans to transfer all its oceangoing, Panamanian registered ships to 'Lloyd Triestino', giving its Italian subsidiary a fleet of more than 50 ships, according to Evergreen Group chairman Dr Chang Yung-Fa.

ex-AUGUSTUS opens as M/S PHILIPPINES
October 6, 1999: Manila: President Estrada and First Lady to inaugurate M/S Philippines, the country's biggest floating hotel and restaurant. The M/S Philippines was given a berthing space at Pier 15, behind Manila Hotel, by the private contractor of South Harbor, Manila only last Saturday, October 2, 1999.

Official opening on Friday, October 22, 1999, the M/S Philippines, (ex AUGUSTUS) a luxury passenger liner, will be operated as a floating hotel and restaurant and help promote Phillipine tourism industry. The ship has 500 cabins, 3 restaurants, 2 bars, a coffee shop, 2 ballrooms, 2 swimming pools, a theater/chapel, and 2 spacious covered decks suitable for big cocktails and trade exhibitions.

NORWEGIAN SKY to be towed to Quebec
September, 25.1999: NORWEGIAN SKY which had grounded for four hours yesterday at the juncture of the Sagueny and St Lawrence Rivers, has been declared unseaworthy by Transport Canada inspectors. The ship will proceed under tow to Quebec (or under its own power according to Reuters) where the 1,924 passengers will be landed tomorrow morning. At the time of the grounding two local pilots were on the board. NCL has cancelled the Norwegian Sky's next September 28th "Canada/New England" cruise. For questions concerning the status of the NORWEGIAN SKY can call 800-634-8000. Repair yards under sicussion are Boston or Baltimore.
NORWEGIAN SKY CAM click on "bridge cam"

NCL's new NORWEGIAN SKY runs aground
September 24, 1999: NORWEGIAN SKY, the newest NCL ship ran aground in the St. Lawrence River noon today. Passengers were ordered to their muster stations to await evacuation as the ship took on water. Later it was decided not to disembark the passengers and the ship was refloated a flood tide in the afternoon. The ship is now being surveyed for damage to the hull and propellers.

TROPICALE passengers disembark at Tampa
September 22, 1999: Overrought passengers stepped ashore from Carnival's TROPICALE complaining of over flowing toilets, lack of clean water, and lack of information while others seemed quite calm after the cruise had been intrupted by an engine room fire leaving the ship adrift in 12 foot seas. An investigation has begun with full refunds to passengers and offers of a future free cruise.

TROPICALE limping on one engine
September 21, 1999: With 1,700 people aboard, TROPICALE heads slowly toward Tampa after the engine fire left it drifting in rough seas in the Gulf of Mexico. After the starboard engine was restarted return of TROPICALE was further delayed when the Port Tampa closed because of Tropical Storm Harvey, which threatened a 3 - 8 foot storm surge in the area. The storm turned south late Monday, sparing much of the area, and the port reopened this morning. The Tropicale completed a big loop in the Gulf today and was proceeding slowly to Tampa, "at about 9 mph, a Carnival spokesman said" in nine foot seas. As a precaution, a 40-year-old man with a heart condition was airlifted from the ship early Monday.

Fire aboard TROPICALE
September 20, 1999: A fire aboard the TROPICALE, Carnival Cruise Line, disabled its engines, leaving it drifting in the Gulf of Mexico with 1,700 passengers and crew as Tropical Storm Harvey raged nearby. The fire in the engine room broke out at 6:15 p.m. Sunday and was quickly extinguished, but the engines were affected. A tug BEVERLY ANDERSON, is on its way to meet up the ship Monday.

Louis Cruise buys MERMOZ from Costa Crociere
September 19, 1999: LOUIS Cruise Line, the shipping wing of Cyprus' major tourism group has purchased the 1957-built 550 passenger cruise vessel MERMOZ from Costa Crociere. The Italian cruise company had operated the MERMOZ under charter since 1992. Neither company would confirm the deal. The MERMOZ (13,691 gt) will become the eighth ship in the Louis Cruise Line fleet. Currently operated by Costa under the Paquet brand in the French market MERMOZ is engaged on a round the world cruise ending at Marseilles completed on October 23rd.

Red Ensign re-appears on P&O Fleet
September 18, 1999: A commitment by P&O to reflag 50 ships began today. UK deputy loyd container ship PENINSULA BAY back to the Red Ensign, by handed the ship's new registration certificate to P&O chairman Lord Sterling. The vessels former Bahamas flag was furled as P&O chairman Lord Sterling paid tribute to Prescott. "Today wouldn't have happened without the Deputy Prime Minister's determination", said Lord Sterling.

SEABREEZE has small fire in NYC
September 7, 1999: According to Captain Ilias Lekkas, Master of the SeaBreeze, a small fire caused a problem with one of the motors that feed the ship's steering column. The ship was seem stationary in the Harbor with fire tug standing by. The problem was repaired in two hours and SEABREEZE headed out for a two day voyage to Nowhere. Inspectors from Premier were on board the ship on Sunday, and found no additional problems with the repair work that was done on Friday. The ship left as scheduled for her last voyage from NYC to Newport and Halifax.

SS UNITED STATES in the press, "dream of a liner reborn"
September 7, 1999: California ship broker Peter Stoll toured the SS United States last month on behalf of a San Diego client who is interested in its potential as a hotel/convention/tourism complex. The asking price is $33 million. Stoll figures renovating the ship could cost up to $300 million. Laid up on the Delaware River in Philadelphia for three years the ship is rusting a striped of interiors.

This fall, Robert Westover, head of the nonprofit SS United States Foundation, will launch a campaign to rescue the ship, which made its maiden voyage in 1952 and was retired in 1969. The ocean liner's owner, North Jersey real estate developer Edward A. Cantor, has it for sale. Cantor pays $100,000 a month to maintain, insure, and dock it at Pier 82, and welcomes the work of Westover's 500-member foundation, which has raised the profile of the United States nationwide.

NORWEGIAN DREAM safe at Dover after collision, EVER DECENT still burning
August 24, 1999: Firefighters continue to battle blaze aboard EVER DECENT, after collision in English Channel with cruise ship NORWEGIAN DREAM. Three people were injured when the tow ships were in collision 17 miles off the coast of Margate in Kent. 20 other passengers received minor medical treatment. NORWEGIAN DREAM now at Dover, with a major gash in in her bow, but the 25-strong crew of the container ship EVER DECENT remain at sea attempting to fight a fire on board the ship some 15 miles off Margate under a noxious cloud of smoke. Fighting blaze Helicopters, tugs, lifeboats and the German frigate Augsburg went to offer aid to the container ship shortly after the accident occurred at 1:15 am local time. Captain Shu, of EVER DECENT, headed his listing ship towards shallow water over a sand bank and was able to use water ballast to bring the boat back up to a near-upright position. A number of cargo containers fell into the sea, and two others landed on the ruptured bow of the NORWEGIAN DREAM. Kent Fire Brigade reported that it could take at least 24 hours before the blaze was brought fully under control. Three salvage tug boats are spraying water onto the container ship to try and damp down the flames. It remains unclear how the accident came to happen in good weather conditions.
Passengers arriving for a cruise on the NORWEGIAN DREAM scheduled to start on Tuesday will be accommodated on board the ship before being sent home on Wednesday with a refund.

NORWEGIAN DREAM heads for Dover after collision with EVER DECENT
August 23, 1999: First reported to the Coastguards at 1.15 a.m. (0015 GMT) Tuesday, the collision occurred about 20 miles northwest of Margate. NORWEGIAN DREAM now heading for Dover with severe damage to a wing of the bridge. It is reported that the container vessel EVER DECENT with about 40 people on board was on fire and had been taking on water. Helicopters, tugs and lifeboats raced to assist those on board the EVER DECENT shortly after the accident. Helecopter took three injured form NORWEGIAN DREAM to hospital. After listing 40 degrees the EVER DECENT is now reported upright but the crew are still fighting the fire. A British Royal Air Force Nimrod aircraft was monitoring the situation and five merchant ships were ready to assist. Three containers were thrown on to the NORWEGIAN DREAM when the two ships collided and more fell into the sea. The contents of the containers is unknown.

NORWEGIAN DREAM collides with Container ship in English Channel
August 23, 1999: Three people were injured when NORWEGIAN DREAM with 2,000 passengers collided with a container ship EVER DECENT off the south east coast of England. Helicopters lifted the injured from the NORWEGIAN DREAM and the 17-strong crew from the container ship Ever Decent, which reported to be on fire and listing 17 miles off Margate in Kent. Firefighters were preparing to fly out to the vessel to tackle the blaze. Lifeboats have also been launched from Dover, Margate and Ramsgate. NORWEGIAN DREAM is heading for the port of Dover some 40 miles away from the scene of the collision.

OCEAN MAJESTY grounded
August 18, 1999: OCEAN MAJESTY grounded near the Kiel Canal, after inspection no damage was found.

INDEPENDENCE makes 1000th voyage for American Hawaiian Cruises
August 14, 1999: INDEPENDENCE, AHC began her 1000th voyage sailing from Honolulu around the Hawaiian islands

New ship to join INDEPENDENCE in Hawaii
August 10, 1999: Project America (Parent Company of Delta Queen and American Hawaiian Cruises) has purchased the NIEUW AMSTERDAM from Holland America Line (Carnival group) for over $114 million dollars to operate in island service around Hawaii, joining the INDEPENDENCE

News US Cruise ships
August 3, 1999: Following the news that American Classic voyages ordered the first US built cruise ships in over 40 years, SeaAmerica Cruise Lines of Fort Lauderdalehas announced three more US newbuildings using the Title XI government-guaranteed financing. SeaAmerica has yet to award the contract but has short-listed US yards. The company estimates each 1,000 passenger capacity vessel to cost $250-$325 million. In an agreement with Asea Brown Boveri, SeaAmerica has commited to buying ship propulsion, HVAC, and monitoring systems, and ABB will finance a portion of the vessels' construction costs and other engineering services. US government-guaranteed Title XI financing will cover the remaining costs.

SAGA ROSE sinks fishing boat
July 31 1999: SAGA ROSE, Saga Holidays International, a 24,500 gt, 470-passenger cruiseship, collided with fishing vessel HavbÔs at 0350 hrs six nautical miles off Bremanger island in western Norway's Sogn og Fjordane county. The HavbÔs immediately developed a 45¡ list and sank at 0541 hrs. The incident took place in thick fog. The 10 crew on the fishing boat were uninjured were taken on board the cruiseship and dropped off at Olden in Nordfjord. The SAGA ROSE sustained no damage and continued her scheduled tour of the Norwegian fjords

Cruise ship collides with humpback whale
July 28, 1999: The WESTERDAM, Holland America Line headed for Juneau, Alaska struck a humpback whale, it wasnÕt clear if the ship killed the whale or if it was already dead. The Westerdam hit the whale about 60 miles south of Juneau. A 35- to 45-foot adult whale surfaced under the bow of the 800-foot ship around 9 a.m. as it was being piloted at about 19 knots through Stephens Passage, the shipÕs officers reported. The whale was caught on the bulbous part of the bow, which is underwater, and held there, partly above the waterline, until the ship slowed down. Then the whale slipped off the bow and sank, apparently dead. Humpbacks that size weigh about 25 tons, but the ship apparently wasnÕt damaged, and many passengers didnÕt even notice. The ship was stopped for about 20 minutes and passengers were told what happened.

SPIRIT OF '98 Limps Into Port
July 28, 1999: SPIRIT OF '98 the Seattle-based cruise ship is safely back in Juneau, Alaska after taking on water when it struck a rock. Crew members battled rising water and feared she would sink, but emergency pumps airlifted to the crippled vessel kept it afloat until it could make it into port. The ship is currently being repaired in Alaska

Passengers abandon ship in Alaska
July 27, 1999: UPDATE: SPIRIT OF '98, was reported sinking after it struck a rock. All 94 passnegers and all but six crew were transferred to the SEA LION. Flooding was reported to be out of control. (related story below)

Small cruise ship strikes rock in Alaska
July 27, 1999: SPIRIT OF '98, owned by Alaska Sightseeing/Cruise West was reported to be taking on water after it struck a rock near Tracy Arm in southeastern Alaska, about 40 miles southeast of Juneau. A spokesman said no injuries have been reported. The vessel radioed a Mayday at 9:06 a.m. (ADT). It is understood there are 94 passengers and 26 crew aboard. Two helicopters dropped pumps to help with the flooding, and a Coast Guard cutter was on its way to the scene. Other cruise ships are standing by to assist.

RADISSON DIAMOND docks in Stockholm after grounding
Jul 26, 1999: The RADISSON DIAMOND carrying 313 passengers and 220 crew docked in Stockholm for engine repairs after running aground off Vaxholm near Stockholm late on Sunday. Registered in the Bahamas, the crsuie ship left Stockholm for Helsinki on Sunday evening. It suffered a power failure and stopped, black smoke was reported and passengers were ordered to put on thier life jackets running aground shortly after leaving Stockholm. A spokesman said there was no danger to the passengers and no one needed to be evacuated and would return to its schedule on July 27. The ship was grounded for a couple of hours then towed afloat by Regina Baltica, a ferry on the route Estonia-Sweden, power was then restored. After anchoring for the night the ship returned to Stockholm early on Monday for minor repairs.

Royal Caribbean International gets record fine for soiling waters
July 22, 1999: The world's second largest cruise Line Royal Caribbean Ltd has agreed to pay $18 million in fines and plead guilty to 21 felony counts for dumping oil and other hazardous chemicals from its cruise ships and lying to the U.S. Coast Guard, Attorney General Janet Reno said today.

DISNEY WONDER debuts in Southampton
July 21, 1999: DISNEY WONDER arrived in Southampton, UK fresh from her builders to a three day debut. The event was marked by 100 palm trees, 400 tons of sand and a Cinderella Castle and fireworks.

SS WARATAH found! Missing since 1909
The wreck of the SS Waratah, a Blue Anchor Line luxury passenger steamship that disappeared with 211 people on board off the South African coast in 1909, has been found. An 18-year search by Emlyn Brown, head of the National Underwater and Marine Agency, ended in June with the finding and conclusive identification of the ship in 370 feet of water, seven miles off the Transkei Coast north of East London, South Africa. The Waratah carried European emigrants on the route from Britain to South Africa and Australia. On its final voayge, it was headed to England, and had just left Durban harbor.

Evergreen may enter cruise business
July 15, 1999: Evergreen (container ships) has confirmed it is looking into an Italian-flag start-up cruise operation for worldwide service, a final decision unlikely for 18 months.

Premier to operate EDINBURGH CASTLE
July 13, 1999: EDINBURGH CASTLE now owned by British shipbuilder CAMMEL LAIRD is to be operated by Premier Cruises, possibly as a BIG RED BOAT companion to OCEANIC. It is reported that she may be renamed MICHELANGELO.

Project Queen Mary
July 12, 1999: In a Question and Answer session aboard QE2, Stephen Payne, marine architect, revealed a few deatils about the next transaltantic ship for Cunard. Dubbed "Project QUEEN MARY" he did say that the name may not be QUEEN MARY due to copyright issues in the US, Mauretania, Aquitania and other familiar Cunard names were inder consideration. Mr. Payne said the ship would be planned for maiden voyage in 2003, that it would be about 1,200 feet in length, have one funnel, with higher deckheads and some double and possibly triple height public rooms. Carnival (Cunard owners) design team would not be involved. He suggested it would look something like a larger QE2 and may have some veranda suites high up on the superstructure. It's planned route would be transtlantic with other possible line voyages being considered, possibly South Africa or South America. Too wide for the Panama Canal, world cruising would be unlikely. Bids have gone to four European yards.

ISLAND BREEZE under tow
July 4, 1999: ISLAND BREEZE, Premier Cruises suffered a main engine failure off Sicily, and had to be towed to Messina for repairs. Back in serivce same evening.

700 ship enthusiasts sail on QE2
July 3, 1999: Sailing from New York, Cunard's QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 fully booked was host to some 700 ship enthusiasts representing many different maritime groups as she headed for Bermuda, Bahamas and Virgina on a seven day cruise to celebrate the liners' 30th birthday. It was believed to be the largest gathering of ship buffs aboard a liner. A partial list of maritime names aboard included, Frank Braynard, Tom Cassidy, Anthony Cooke, Martin Cox (for the launch of MARITIME MATTERS website), Sandy Crary, Tim Dacey, Paul Edwards, Dick Faber, Doug Friedlander, Andres and Idalmis Hernandez (for the launch of the SHIP AFICIONADO magazine), Ben Lyons, Mitchell Mart, John Maxtone-Graham, Wayne Mazzota, Bill Miller, Hisahi Noma, Stephen Payne, Pauline Power, Tom Rinaldi, Karen and Hans Segboer, Donald Stoltenberg, Greg and Woody Swain, Kenneth Swallow, Bruce and Sofia Vancil, Alan Zamchick and Alexis Zamchick.

P & O Buys ITO
June 30, 1999: Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Co., the world's third-largest cruise-line operator, announced that its P&O Ports unit will acquire International Terminal Operating Co. Inc. ITO, for $79 million. Based in Jersey City, NJ, ITO operates in 17 ports on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of the U.S. P&O Ports, based in Sydney, Australia, is a wholly owned subsidiary of P&O. It manages investments in more than 45 ports in Australia, Asia, South America, Europe and Africa.

SS UNITED STATES lights up!
June 30, 1999: New York City Sculptor Robert Wogan will light the two enormous faded red white and blue funnels and the radar mast of the SS UNITED STATES, July 3rd and 4th from Sunset to Sunrise. The lighting will coincide with the 47th anniversary of the ship's historic maiden voyage run when she won the fabled "Blue Riband" speed record from the Queen Mary. The S.S. United States, considered one of the greatest ocean liner ever built, now sits stripped of all interior details and left uninhabited at a pier in Philadelphia.

Princess Cruises moves Headquarters
June 23, 1999: Princess Cruises announced that the cruise line will move its corporate headquarters from Century City in Los Angeles, to Valencia CA, relocating to two new office buildings to be constructed in the Town Center area of Valencia.

P & 0 moves to double fleet
June 22: 1999 Peninsular & Orient Steam Navigation Co., owner of the world's third-largest cruise line, have ordered five new cruise ships at a cost of about $2 billion as it moves to double the capacity of its Princess Cruises unit. The London-based shipping and real estate company said it ordered four ships for Los Angeles-based Princess Cruises, the No. 3 cruise company, and one for its U.K. cruise line, P&O Cruises. The four ships, along with three others already on order, will double the size of Princess Cruises by 2004, the company said. P&O Cruises will also double in size, now with two ships on order. Princess Cruises said it ordered two 1,950-passenger ships from French shipbuilder Chantiers de l Atlantique and two 2,600- passenger ships from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. of Japan. They're scheduled to be ready between October 2002 and May 2004.

Lloyd Werft, Germany gets Cunard trio
June 21: 1999 Under stiff competition Lloyd Werft won the refit contract against A&P in the United Kingdom and Blohm + Voss in Germany, for three Cunard Line ships, VISTAFJORD, ROYAL VIKING SUN and QUEEN ELIZABETH 2. The total cost of the work is put at $35.2 million. VISTAFJORD, will be renamed CARONIA and ROYAL VIKING SUN renamed SEABOURN SUN.

QE2 will be at the Lloyd Werft shipyard from November 12 to December 10, 1999. VISTAFJORD from November 20 to December 8, 1999 and ROYAL VIKING SUN from October 29 to November 24, 1999.

NORWAY back in service
June 19: 1999 Norwegian Cruise Line's (NCL) flagship NORWAY resumed her schedule from Southampton, having completed repairs following a fire in her turbocharger room while entering Barcelona on May 28. The ship was out of service for three weeks while being repaired alongside in Barcelona. The 76,000 gt vessel embarked on a 13-night cruise to Norway and the fjords, Orkney and Scotland. She will make a nostalgic call to her one-time homeport as the main attraction of the 'Le Havre 99' festival, before heading back to Miami, Florida from Southampton on August 8.

Alaskan cruise passenger transferred to rescue ship
June 12: 1999 WILDERNESS ADVENTURER, Glacier Tours, ran aground on rocks at Dundas Bay in Alaska. All passengers and crew were transferred to another ship. and shes was towed off and taken to Ketchikan for dry docking and repairs.

Carnival Cruise Lines to sail from Galveston, Texas
June 12: 1999 Carnival Cruise Lines will begin taking reservations this June for the 1,486-passenger 1987 CELEBRATION in sailing from Galveston, Texas from October 2000. Four-day cruises will call at Playa del Carmen/Cozumel, Mexico. These voyages will operate Thursday to Monday. Five-day sailings, departing alternate Mondays and Saturdays, with two ports of call at Cozumel and Calica/Cancun, Mexico along with two days at sea.

Grimaldi Naples reopens passenger service to Malta
June 10: 1999 Italy's Grimaldi Naples chartered the 105-passenger roro ferry PORTOCARDO renamed MALTA EXPRESS, for a passenger-freight route from Salerno to Valencia and Malta. The service begins on July 7. This move marks the revival of an Italy-Malta link and Grimaldi Naples' return to a passenger ferry service. Grimaldi Naples which specialises in roro trailer and new car services, had previously discontinued passenger activity when it sold its last cruiseship AUSONIA to Louis Cruise Line in 1997.

Project Queen Mary heats up
June 8, 1999 Carnival Corporation announces that it is likely to spend at least $700 million on its ``Project Queen Mary'' to build the largest luxury ocean liner ever. Carnival/Cunard expects to launch the trans-Atlantic liner in 2002, as a running mate to the QE2. Carnival acquired the QE2 and Cunard Line, last year. Carnival is finding the Queen Mary project to be more difficult and expensive than it first anticipated because there have been no trans-Atlantic passenger liners built for 35 years.

HMS BELFAST sails again
June 6, 1999: HMS BELFAST, the preserved British War ship moored next to Tower Bridge in London, arrives at PORTSMOUTH. She was towed from London on June 4, for dry docking.

GALAXY captures whale
June 4, 1999: A Vancouver Canada local paper reported that a large rare fin whale was discovered jammed on the bow of the cruise ship GALAXY, owned by Celebrity cruises, as she docked in Vancouver Friday. The whale wedged sideways (athwartships) over the bulbous bow. The ship apparently must have struck the wale in Discovery Passage, about 5 hours steaming north of Vancouver. The vessel was returning from an Alaskan cruise.

S.S. UNITED STATES placed on National Register
June 3, 1999: The laid up former transtlantic liner berthed in Philadelphia, S.S. United States has been given the highest recognition as a National Treasure, by placement on the National Register of Historic Places.

BRITANIS, ex LURLINE could become San Francisco water front feature

June 1, 1999: According to a report in the SF Examiner today, developers are proposing to the San Francisco Port authorities the idea of berthing the former SF-Honolulu liner in San Francisco as an hotel, night club and conference center. For more details please go to SF Examiner at: http://www.examiner.com/990601/0601ship.html

NORWAY repaired in Barcelona

June 1, 1999: After a small engine room fire aboard the S.S. NORWAY, NCL, the liner will remain in Barcelona for repairs. A 14 day cruise was cancelled but she is expected back in service on June 12. For the MARITIME MATTERS page on NORWAY history and photos please click here

NORWAY fire off Barcelona

May 28, 1999: According to reports coming in, the S.S. NORWAY, NCL, suffered an engine room fire along side at Barcelona. The fire was extinguished, but vessel is unable to depart. There were no injuries to passengers or crew. The extent of the damage is not yet known, however, the cruise was terminated in Barcelona. No more details available at this time.

EDINBURGH CASTLE sold

May 21, 1999: According to the Southern Evening Echo, Southampton, EDINBURGH CASTLE was bought by ship builder CAMMEL LAIRD for 17 million pounds, along with a diving support vessel and an off shore supply ship. The EDINBURGH CASTLE will leave Southampton within a month for Tyneside. A Charter company is being sought.

SUN VISTA sinks

May 20, 1999 SUN VISTA Sun Cruises Cruise ship sinks off Malaysia, reports indicate all passengers and crew were rescued, click on above link to see Maritime Matters page on her history

EDINBURGH CASTLE rumoured sold

May 6, 1999: EDINBURGH CASTLE, currently under arrest in Southampton has been rumoured sold to the ship builders CAMMEL LAIRD (Builder's of WINDSOR CASTLE (1961)).

ORIANA cancels cruises, engine trouble

May 5, 1999: Failure of a stern tube bearing on P&O Cruises' 1995-built Oriana has led to the cancellation of a three-day private charter and a two-week cruise. The repair work comes only days after the vessel was in for repair and maintenance work at A&P Southampton, an A&P spokesman said the company had not been working in that area. A&P rescheduled a crane barge docking on May 3 and received the ORIANA for ten days' work. The bearing has been removed and will be assessed at Meyer Werft, where the vessel was built. The cruise cancellations are expected to cost P&O £4m ($6.9m). All 1,800 passengers have been offered compensation and an alternative cruise.

Mutiny on the Rembrandt!

April 29, 1999: From Dutch newspaper "Algemeen Dagblad".
Mutiny on the Rembrandt: Rotterdam - Passengers on the S.S. Rembrandt threatened to take matters into their own hands last week on a cruise from Rio de Janeiro to Barcelona. Cause was a breakdown in the engine room, which filled the ship with smoke, shut down the airconditioning and caused a number of ports to be cancelled. According to the passengers, Captain Wassenberger did not do enough to handle the problems and they threatened 'to take control themselves'. They also demanded that the company would pay back their money, since a large part of the cruise program had been cancelled. Otherwise they would refuse to leave the ship in Barcelona. The problems started in the night of April 16 -17 in the engine room of the former Rotterdam. Rembrandt arrived at the port of Las Palmas two days later than planned. For a large part of the Brazilian passengers, this was the end of the trip, as they would not be able to reach Lisbon in time. Premier Cruises chartered three planes to transfer them to Lisbon. The remaining passengers stayed on board. Premier Cruises confirms that there were problems with a boiler during the crossing. 'We solved those problems during the voyage and the ship could proceed to Barcelona', according to a spokeswoman. According to her the passengers were compensated.

New Carnival Class announced

April 3: 1999: CARNIVAL SPIRIT is the name Carnival Cruise Lines has announced for the new 82,000-ton cruise ship under construction at Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Helsinki, Finland. Scheduled to enter service in early 2001 the $375 million, 2,100-passenger ship represents a new class of vessel for Carnival. The CARNIVAL SPIRIT will be able to transit the Panama Canal, to accomplish this yet accommodate the vast array of guest amenities, the vessel will be the longest in the Carnival fleet at 957 feet. (The next closest in length is the 893 foot, 101,000-ton CARNIVAL DESTINY of 1996). The CARNIVAL SPIRIT will be the 16th "Fun Ship" in the Carnival fleet, she will follow the 102,000-ton CARNIVAL TRIUMPH in July 1999 and its sister ship CARNIVAL VICTORY in 2000.

War in Yugoslavia, Holland America avoids Adriatic ports

April 2, 1999: Holland America announced that it would be cancelling calls in Croatia. The escalating war in nearby Yugoslavia was given as the reason. When MAASDAM arrives in Europe for the summer season she will be diverted to ports in Italy and Greece. If the conflict worsens Venice may also be dropped.

Premier Cruises bids on EDINBURGH CASTLE

April 1, 1999: Premier's president, Bruce Nierenberg, said that he is interested in operating EC as a second "Big Red Boat" ship, with OCEANIC.
EDINBURGH CASTLE cruised in Europe in summer 1998 for Direct Cruises, but was taken over by the Royal Bank of Scotland in a bankruptcy and is now laid up in Southampton, England under arrest.
EDINBURGH CASTLE the former EUGENIO C of 1966 was owned by Costa later operated as Costa's EUGENIO COSTA. She was built at Monfalcone, Italy, with the OCEANIC, currently sailing as Premier's Big Red Boat.
Premier is not the only bidder in the vessel according to Nierenberg.

Container ships to carry North Atlantic passengers

March 1999: Four container ships: The LYKES ACHIEVER, LYKES VOYAGER, MOL EUROPE and MSC FLORIDA will be carrying about 8 passengers each on the North Atlantic, the first such service since 1996. LYKES ACHIEVER, LYKES VOYAGER, MOL EUROPE itineraries will be between Antwerp - Bremerhaven - Thamesport - Le Havre - New York - Norfolk. The MSC FLORIDA will run Antwerp - Hamburg - Bremerhaven - Felixstowe - Le Havre - Boston - New York - Norfolk - Baltimore.

Port of Southampton wins two ships from Dover

March 1999: It was announced that SAGA ROSE and soon to be SEABOURN SUN (currently ROYAL VIKING SUN) will be based in Southampton mid-1999.
Cunard's "project Queen Mary", the next generation transatlantic liner to be launched 2001/2002 and the P&O liner AURORA under construction in Germany will also be based at the British south coast port.

Carnival announces new names for DESTINY Class

Carnival cruise line announced new names for the 4th and 5th ships in the DESTINY class. Due to be delivered 2002 and 2003 they will be CARNIVAL CONQUEST and CARNIVAL GLORY.

1960 ORIANA has new life in Shanghai

March 1999: Former P & 0 England-Australia express liner, ORIANA of 1960 is now in China, is currently being refurbished as a tourist centre in Shanghai and is expected to open Spring 1999

Back ground:
Extract from SHANGHAI DAILY, Nov 11, 1998. "Oriana, one of the largest passenger liners in the world, left Qinhuangdao Port for Shanghai yesterday. It will stop in Shanghai and become a new resort beside Huangpu River. Oriana was built in 1957 in Britain. It's 245.06 meters long, 29.57 meters wide and 51.27 meters high. It has a tonnage of 41,920 tons. Its virgin voyage was in 1960. Oriana is the sister ship of the famous Elizabeth (sic). It retired in 1986. It has visited more than 100 well-known cities and ports. Oriana was renovated in Japan and then became a resort ship. Qinhuangdao bought it from Japan in 1995. The West Lake International Travel Culture Development Co. Ltd. and the Hangzhou Jiebai (Group) Co. Ltd invested 120 million RMB to buy this great liner and redecorate it. They send it to Shanghai and make it a unique riverside resort of Shanghai. Oriana has over 40 facilities on it, including museum, swimming pool, 3D cinema, golf course, banquet hall, multi-functional exhibition room, dancing pool and entertainment center. The first stage of redecoration will be completed early next year and will be opened to the public on Spring Festival. The second stage of redecoration project will be completed next National Day."

LARGEST U.S. CRUISE SHIP to be built in 2000

March 10, 1999: Big News for U.S. shipbuilding as plans are made for the largest U.S. cruise ship ever. AMERICAN CLASSIC VOYAGES Co. and LITTON'S INGALLS SHIPBUILDING announce signing of historic contract the first large cruise ships in the United States in more than 40 years.

Under the terms of the contract Ingalls will initially build two 1,900-passenger U.S.-flag cruise vessels for AMCV, with an option for a third vessel. These state-of-the-art luxury cruise ships will cruise between the Hawaiian Islands with the first vessel is scheduled to enter service in early 2003.

Ingalls delivered the last American-built large cruise ships, SS BRASIL and SS ARGENTINA, to Moore McCormack Lines in 1958. Ingalls will teamup with Kvaerner Masa Shipyards of Turku, Finland, one of the world's most experienced and successful designers and builders of large, modern cruise ships. The European company will provide design and planning expertise.

The ships will have an atrium, 85,850 square feet of open deck space, extensive health spa and gymnasium and pool facilities, and 2,100 square feet of conference space. In addition, the upper three decks of the ships are designed to maximize the sense of spaciousness on board, include an out door theatre deck to provide passengers with panoramic views of the Hawaiian Islands and the surrounding Pacific Ocean. Ingalls expects to begin construction of the first ship in 2000.

AMCV is the largest owner and operator of U.S.-flag passenger vessels. It owns and operates two U.S.-flag cruise lines, American Hawaii Cruises and The Delta Queen Steamboat Co., both headquartered in New Orleans, La. Currently, AMCV's American Hawaii Cruises operate the steamship INDEPENDENCE, on three-, four- and seven-night itineraries. With Project America, AMCV plans to more than quadruple its passenger capacity in Hawaii in the next seven to 10 years.

Excerpts from AMCV press release March 1999


EDINBURGH CASTLE under arrest/receivership

March 1999: EDINBURGH CASTLE, while under arrest at Southampton's 102 berth may be sold as the Royal Bank of Scotland seeks to recover its debt. The ship is in receivership.


Fire aboard world's largest cruise ship

February 1999: Fire aboard Voyager of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world while under construction in Finland. It was extinguished the same day. She is due for her maiden voyage in November of 1999.

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