For this decade, only the SS Rotterdam and the QE2 were saved from the scrapyard. For the next decade, I hope to see the Big U and the Kungsholm saved.

Although, I am hopeful to see the MS Augustus and MS Sagafjord saved as well.

sorry to say, probably i'm stupid anyway

but this is the Mona Lisa, in service

in my opinion she has little to do with
the original Kungsholm

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Originally posted by Redlinekid2:
Finally!!!! Someone with a heart of gold to setup an awareness to save the MS Kungsholm, as someone has done for the SS Rotterdam and the SS United States.

For this decade, only the SS Rotterdam and the QE2 were saved from the scrapyard. For the next decade, I hope to see the Big U and the Kungsholm saved.

Although, I am hopeful to see the MS Augustus and MS Sagafjord saved as well.

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This is on the Isle of Wight near to Southampton.

The Starlight Lounge top forward is pretty much original other than the bar itself, both annexes have changed. Most of the lobbies especially those outside the dining room (which itself is pretty much unchanged) are beautiful, most cabins are lovely but not suitable for any use once she is retired, the show lounge bar is still lovely, the library, theatre (cinema) and adjacent bar are still original. Most of the furniture in these areas is also original. The stunning enclosed proms forward are also intact.

If in a static role it would not be difficult or too expnsive to reinstate a fake funnel forward and replace the aft to match. However the cost of internal refit would be horendous, new fire systems, new air con, new power, new plumbing, all new cabins/rooms, new galleys, new store rooms (even 20 years ago they were absolutely awful), crew accommodation would need to be removed in its entirety, probably you would need to install new elevators, etc etc etc etc etc etc etc .

Extra galleys to be installed to create new restaurant spaces, and then general refurb of hull etc. As a guess, say $150-200 million.

This would give you a beautiful 150 room hotel with bars, couple of restaurants, conference and convention space, small theatre etc.

If they did not conduct such a refit what is the point, all the crews areas etc would then never be used for anything and lets face facts she is hardly a "luxury" ship anymore especially when you consider her age. Her galleys while workable are also very old. Some of the areas just need cosmetic help but others are in serious need of a total rethink. A hotelof this size with only one big restaurant ? No alternatives ? Even back in the 80s and 90s many areas were horrid by modern standards (especially back of house) if you want to run her as a hotel I really don't think it is enough to simply take her as is and expect her to work, frankly they would be begging to fail from day 1 IMO. I would hardly expect she has had much cash spent on her since her days with P&O - bare minimum.

I am not a fan of this type of plan but if it has to be done then it should at least be done properly. Sticking a new funnel and a logo on her does not make her suitable as a hotel.

All that said I don't beleive they will ever find the cash for this project anyway, while they claim to have the cash to buy the ship I don't beleive they have claimed to have the cash for anything else and it is clear the government, both local and other, is not going to put their hands in their pockets to assist - rightly so.

How long is it since you were last on board the Mona Lisa ?

She is owned by the same company who own Ocean Majesty and they do spend money on their ships.

The present charterers, Lord Neilsen Reiseen, seem more than happy with the ship and have her on charter until the end of August 2010.

From the pictures on their website her passenger areas look to be in very good condition and well maintained.

The smaller cabins are mainly the newer ones which were added by P & O when they bought the ship.

I suspect that they have spent money on the ship - the bare minimum needed, after all they knew from day 1 she had a limited lifespan and of course they are not advertsing her as a 5 star product either, indeed quite the opposite.

She already mechanical weaknesses which is why P&OI had to install the generator aft of the funnel for instance and we have already highlighted the air con, I would seriously doubt that given her age and limited potential in terms of service that anyone would be getting out a huge cheque in terms of refurb - they would have to be mad !

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Originally posted by mike sa:
I would doubt very much anyone would pay money to stay in most of her rooms as is...never mind that some of the cabins are really tiny! The age of the bathrooms for instance would a real turn off.

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Originally posted by mike sa:
There is a fundamental difference between a cabin on a ship for a cruise and a hotel room...the vast majority while considered spacious for a cruise would be considered tiny as a hotel.

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When I cruised on Royal Princess waaaaaay back in 1998 we had a Category AC Suite. Having sailed in only standard cabins on smaller cruise ships and on Carnival Fantasy- and Destiny Class, and Soverign of the Seas prior to that, the first words out of my mouth were "Finally, a room that's about the size of a real hotel room".

Somehow the excuse of "I dont spend much time in my cabin anyway' suffices on a cruise, but when it comes to a hotel room 'size' and amenities (i.e. a working bathroom) is more of an issue for most people. I stayed on the QM in Long Beach, once. Nice enough to do once but I wouldnt ever do it again. The room was OK, just not my cup of tea compared to a nice large bright land based hotel room in a brick-and-mortar building.

I was last on board at her last turnaround prior to her leaving P&O, while quite a time ago I very much doubt that any real siginificant work has been done to her since, plenty of cosmetic work yes but real structural work ?

Certainly while P&O looked after her they always knew that she was not going to be that long, so visually while old she looked in good nick, only when you went back of house did her age really show and of course then when you looked really closely her age became more and more apparent.

The AIS maps are showing her heading through the English Channel and her destination is shown as Piraeus.

Why do you talk such a load of rubbish.

Stockholm already has the former yacht Vanadis working as a successful hotel (I have never managed to get a reservation - always full) in spite of the cabins being incredibly small. Link to the Maladrottningen hotel web site here - Malardrottningen Hotel

I sailed on Sea Princess back in the 1980's. She was a great 'ship experience' and the original cabins were quite spacious. A/C was not good back then, but we were in the South China Sea - I doubt this would be a draw back in Gothenburg!!!

If the Swedes decide to take this on then I'm sure it will be a great success - let's just hope someone has the money as well as the determination to do so.

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Originally posted by Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company.:
Jetwet 1

Why do you talk such a load of rubbish.

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Get your facts right !

The last ship I support being saved was the ss Norway !