Phoenix Reisen has cancelled MAXIM GORKIY'S 2008/2009 world cruise and word is that she will end her final cruise for Phoenix Reisen on November 30th, 2008.

Best,

This is very bad news indeed!

Would you know whether it's possibly lack of demand or ongoing mechanical problems which has prompted Phoenix to cancel her 2009 World Cruise? I see AMADEA is also due to sail round the world in at the end of 2008 and ALBATROS is doing a long Round Africa cruise.

I am not aware of any mechanical problems.

I guess it's a combination of lack of demand and her higher than ever operating costs.

Best,

Phoenix Reisen has now officially confirmed that "Maxim Gorkiy" will cease operations November 30th, 2008. From the sound of their announcement, it appears that decision to do so has been made by Sovcomflot who consider it no longer possible to operate her for a profit.

Best,

Is it possible she will operate for someone else before 2010?

[ 11-25-2007: Message edited by: Waynaro ]

I was going to post and say "Please no one suggest that MG now also be saved from the demons at the scrap yards" but I see I am too late.

Why save her, other than her funnel there is nothing historical or unique or especially interesting about her or did I miss something ? Thank goodness there is a lack of bulti millionaires around who fancy ships, because if there were more we would have a rusting hulk sat at the end of every pier in every major city.

Ships were built to move, to have life, to travel, to excite but most of all to have purpose and make money for their owners. Once their economic life is over or their design lifespan is reached then it was always intended that they should be scrapped and that is how it should be.

Fine IF a ship is somehow especially unique, or even famous, or significant then and only perhaps then is there a case for preserving her or adapting her and even then only IF it can be done on an economically viable basis.

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Originally posted by mike sa:
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Why save her, other than her funnel there is nothing historical or unique or especially interesting about her or did I miss something ? [...]

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I agree - the only reason why she might be special today is that 'all' the nice ships are already gone. The high fuel consumption is certainly not the only reason for her retirement. Yes, she has a loyal following but she is in many respects a very outdated (and BTW polluting) ship. I am not happy but also not sad to see her being retired from her service as cruise ship. I bet her fans will find a new home on another vessel. (I know, it's always hard to let a ship go)

Her future role as yacht is actually the perfect solution. This way her unique exterior (funnel) is preserved. (Maybe she even gets some (more) teak decks? Or maybe even a teak imitating plastic deck? )

[ 11-28-2007: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
Has anyone sailed on her recently? I'd love to see interior photos of her.

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Seems as if you missed my posting in the other thread:

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Originally posted by Ernst:

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.

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quote:

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Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
Has anyone sailed on her recently? I'd love to see interior photos of her.

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I saw her in NYC and San Fran a month apart in 2004. Dimitry was with me at Fisherman's Warfe. She looked beautiful.

If billionaire Abramovich can pay the bills fine. It can be a yacht for him and his 500 best friends.

I was wondering if converted to Common rail diesels like the MAN BW used in the QE2, Norwegian Sun, and many other ships the Maxim could trade longer?

MG only needs about 20-25k shaft hp.

If Abramovitch bails Would the Peace Boat, Mercy ship have an interest? Topaz no longer mass market competitive is quite happy in her niche role.

Imperial Majesty can have a running mate to the Regal Empress for the weekend cruises.

Mike Sa, I am glad the Rotterdam and QM1 were preserved. I have stayed on Mary 1 twice and made reservations for a 3rd time on my upcoming LA trip.

Rotterdam is a unique work of art and is irreplaceable.

Mary 1 was withdrawn from service when I was 7.
It was my only chance to really experience a pre-war liner that is mostly original.

The Bufel at the Rotterdam Maritime Museum is a textbook example of how to preserve an old ship.

[ 11-28-2007: Message edited by: desirod7 ]

And the reported new name... CHELSEA PRINCESS... Eugh!

Much of what makes the ship special are her well-preserved late 1960s interiors. It would be awful to destroy them. If they are I would just as soon see her go to the breakers.

[ 11-28-2007: Message edited by: dougnewman ]

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Originally posted by Robertdam:
I do not quit agree when you say she has no historical signifigance. Maxim Gorkiy has a long history. First she was the first big German liner built in 30 years back in 1969. She was , in her first years, one of the most luxurious vessels built in that time and some big events were held during her introduction.
In 1989 she hosted an important meeting between Gorbachov and Bush sr. just after the fall of the Berlin wall and with that the fall of communism in Europe. Not a small change in history.
Also, she has a classic striking appearance and not just because of her caracteristic funnel.

No, she never held the blue ribband and she did not sail with thousands of soldiers through warzones but besides that I think she is one of the most historicly interesting cruiseships sailing today.

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This is certainly true. But would this justify to preserver a whole ship? Or - to put it the other way around - what of this historic importance, this 'aura' is preserved by keeping the ship?

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Originally posted by sslewis:
How long can the huge, crumbling Queen Mary be kept ?

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Well,
Under the right management, The Queen Mary could have its original powertrain reinstalled as well as its propeller shafts reattached.

From there, the ship's interiors can then be stripped down to the bare matal so that all of the corroding steel works could be replaced. In addition, all plumbing and electrical wiring equiptment can be replaced.

After the ship becomes a blank slate and everything is repaired and stablized, the ship's interiors can be reconstructed to its 1936 decour. The cabins in the 2nd and 3rd Class areas can be enlarged to form deluxe suites that retains its art deco design. The crew cabins can be rebuilt as resting quarters for the hotel and maintaince workers.

Externally, the teak decks can be replaced. All of the bridge equipment can be restored to the way it was in 1936, as well as the all important communcations room and so forth.

This is possible for the Queen Mary. The internal refit will allow the ship to moved to a wet dock that could transport the vessel to a drydock station that will allow it to undergo extensive hull repairs and reinforcements.

Then the ship will be perfect once again as it was ment to be.

[ 11-30-2007: Message edited by: Redlinekid2 ]

Only then it will happen.

Lets hope that Imperial Majesty will buy the Gorki.
She could do well with Pullmantur too.

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Originally posted by Redlinekid2:

Well,
Under the right management, The Queen Mary could have its original powertrain reinstalled as well as its propeller shafts reattached...

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[ 11-30-2007: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

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Originally posted by Ernst:
What is the point of reinstalling her 'powertrain'?

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The powertrain could be used as a mockup in addition to stablizing the ship's center of gravity. In addition, it would allow for the reinstallation of the lower decks that was gutted. Furthermore, it would have a partial function to allow the 1st and 2nd Class pool areas to be used once more, as well as the Roman Spas. Not to mention allow full function of the hotel space and other areas of the ship through the offshore utility hookups.

The powertrain would present to true power of the ship. Although it won't be able to allow the ship sail again. But I feel that it's important to make the ship feel whole once again. It would be the perfect museum centerpiece.

[ 11-30-2007: Message edited by: Redlinekid2 ]