Here she is: http://www.ssmaritime.com/royalstar.htm

Not possible to trust the Aussie website especially when they label the latest pic of her as taken on her return to Port Mombasa from a cruise TO Kenya........Mombasa of course being in Kenya not a seperate country.

Anyway I was told she is still incomplete and there now seems doubt she will trade at all.

What qualifications have you got to say it is not possible to trust the Aussie website ?

In addition to what is said on the Australian website, the owners of the ship also have their own website showing her sailing schedule, pictures of the ship and the fares which are quoted in US dollars.

( Put ' Ocean Mist ' into google search ! )

That shows her operating three night cruises from Mombasa and calling at Zanzibar and Mesali before returning to Mombasa.

She is also shown in the South African ports information for Mombasa as arriving in port on the 16th August 2010.

Her next cruise departs on the 27th August 2010.

It is your sort of remark, obviously made without checking the facts, that can harm a new cruising business.

quote:

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Originally posted by mike sa:
She is a lovely little ship. I have heard however that she is still not trading but stilll laid up.

Not possible to trust the Aussie website especially when they label the latest pic of her as taken on her return to Port Mombasa from a cruise TO Kenya........Mombasa of course being in Kenya not a seperate country.

Anyway I was told she is still incomplete and there now seems doubt she will trade at all.

The logo on her funnel is unique, the OM is obvious but does the star and moon indicate she is catering to a Muslim audience ? Which might explain the delay in trading ?

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Mike she's in service here is the website link,
Ocean Mist. The website looks cheap and tacky, the 4 day cruises are quite expensive. I don't know what to think about it.

quote:

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Originally posted by Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company.:
mike sa

What qualifications have you got to say it is not possible to trust the Aussie website ?

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The qualifications are well known and by now a common knowledge that this website is not the most trustful on internet. Such as the claim Goossens have started the save the Rotterdam campaign which was not true at all. Or his on going war against NCL and the lairs he vomit about NCL on his site. And I can go on.

quote:

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Originally posted by Neil - Ex P. & O. S. N. Company.:
It is your sort of remark, obviously made without checking the facts, that can harm a new cruising business.

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Now that is a bit over the top by saying that. I don't see any harm bu Mike his remark. The biggest risk that this new cruise line will see is there own tacky way of doing things. Such as high prices fore a 4 day cruise. Tacky and unprofessional website and a tacky video on You Tube.

Ben.

[ 08-25-2010: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

[ 08-25-2010: Message edited by: Maasdam ]

If people said that your postings were tacky I do not think you would be all that happy so do this new cruising company a favour and stop knocking them.

Facilities in that part of the world for arranging publicity are not the same as in western countries !

I do not think US $ 430 is a lot to pay for an inside cabin on this type of cruise, for three nights full board, when there are only 230 passengers on board looked after by a crew of 130.

Their single supplement is only 40% which is a lot lower than many other cruising companies.

I think it is great that they have returned this 56 year old ship to service and also updated her to meet the Solas 2010 regulations.

Having been on board this ship when she sailed as the Royal Star, I would recommended her to anyone liking small ship cruising.

$400 + for a short cruise in this part of the world is not expensive especially given the size of ship.

Didn't think the website was 'tacky' - a little unsophisticated maybe!!! But it still gives a good impression of cruising on this ship. I guess they are looking to attract a more local market than in her past career with African Safari which was largely European.

Apparently you have to ask for a credit if you spot him using any of your photos. Not a big issue for me but still a bit of a nerve!!

Ken

[ 08-28-2010: Message edited by: KenC ]

I enjoyed seeing the pictures of Saga Ruby, Black watch & Royal Star, in Capetown, especially as I have sailed on all three. It was nice to see the Ruby & Black Watch as the big ships for a change!

Thanks again.

A lot of my pictures of ss Oriana while she was at Dalain in China, and when she got damaged in the typhoon, have appeared on various websites and in newspapers with no credits.