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Originally posted by Waynaro:
I have a feeling the replacement ship will be the SUPERSTAR GEMINI. She will be withdrawn from the Star Cruises fleet at the end of 2008, just about the same time frame when MAXIM GORKIY leaves Phoenix.

Club Cruises also own the ALBATROS if I am not mistaken.

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Yes, ALBATROS os owned by Club Cruise. But SUPERSTAR GEMINI is NOT owend by Club Cruise, but by the Danish Clipper Group !

But SUPERSTAR GEMINI is a very good replacement ship Waynaro ! I agree !

Clipper Group owned also ISLAND SKY, CORINTHIAN II, QUEST, CLIPPER ADVENTURER, CLIPPER ODYSSEY and DREAM (former SONG OF NORWAY)

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Originally posted by adriana & norway lover:

Yes, ALBATROS os owned by Club Cruise. But SUPERSTAR GEMINI is NOT owend by Club Cruise, but by the Danish Clipper Group !

But SUPERSTAR GEMINI is a very good replacement ship Waynaro ! I agree !

Clipper Group owned also ISLAND SKY, CORINTHIAN II, QUEST, CLIPPER ADVENTURER, CLIPPER ODYSSEY and DREAM (former SONG OF NORWAY)

And Club Cruise owned VAN GOGH, FINNJET, ASTORIA, ALBATROS, JULES VERNE and NEW FLAMENCO.

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With the increases in oil prices many of the steam turbine ships will no longer be able to make a profit for their owners.

We could now see a lot of these ships finishing up at the breakers yards, as they are no longer profitable to operate, unless they can be re-engined.

This is a sad day for the companies still running these classic steam turbine cruise ships.

Here is the statement (translated from German - apologies for any errors):

"This winter the 'Maxim', as we and countless regular guests call her, will be in Hamburg for the last time under the Phoenix flag. Next will be the end of an era because, in her 20th year with Phoenix, TS Maxim Gorky will leave the fleet on 30.11.2008. As as a turbine ship, TS Maxim Gorki has a particularly high consumption of bunker oil. Due to the enormous increase in bunker costs and very high, continuously rising maintenance costs and necessary millions in investment, it is the no longer possible for the shipping company to operate cruises with this ship for a price acceptable to the guest. Sovcomflot in Moscow has not yet definitively decided on the future use of the TS Maxim Gorky (e.g. as a hotel ship). But we will certainly no longer offer TS Maxim Gorkiy after 30.11.2008. This decision makes us very concerned. But be assured that will endeavor to make 2008 our unique farewell season for 'Maxim', with many high points. We guarantee the usual excellent standard and service aboard the TS Maxim Gorki until the autumn of 2008."

The title of the newsletter reads, "Leiser Abschied TS Maxim Gorki" ("Quiet Farewell TS Maxim Gorki"). Click here to read the newsletter (in German).

[ 11-27-2007: Message edited by: dougnewman ]

/Jepp

[ 11-27-2007: Message edited by: Jepp ]

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Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
Oh...this is so sad to read.....such a lovely vessel too. Has anyone taken interiors of her recently??

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See e.g. this webpage. It's in German but I guess you can figure it out - click e.g. on Virtueller Rundgang durch die TS Maxim Gorki.

[ 11-27-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by Jepp:
So Maxim Gorkiy´s cruise 21st December 2007 is the last chance ever if you want to go on a world cruise with a steamer?

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Aside from her, it seems extremely doubtful that any steamer would make a world cruise after MAXIM's 2007-2008 cruise. There are no other steamers in service that make regular world cruises, and I cannot imagine any starting now, given the fact that operating a world cruise with a steamer must be exorbitantly expensive.

This brings up an interesting question: notwithstanding the Peace Boat voyages, what was the last steamer other than MAXIM GORKIY to make a world cruise?