OT: The SS United States May Sail Again?

[Footslogger]

I saw this article about how the SS United States may get a $700 million dollar restoration.

So, I never heard of this ship before. Then I remembered when Geoflambert said, "I just a baby," for my age of 44.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/hi ... &ocid=iehp

[Big B]

She is the last holder of the Blue Riband, (1952) until 1990
Last of the Great Traditional Ocean Liners, very well known in the 50's and 60's.

[KMCCARTHY]

No way this will happen. Take a look at this Wiki article on the QE2

[dr.hal]

She was outdated the day she hit the water, but a beautiful ship non the less. It would be amazing to see her out there again, but I too doubt it due to certain factors, one being it was a very crew intensive ship and another is the competition. Finally the trans-Atlantic run, which is what she was built for, is no longer something that is viable, as it is a short run (relatively speaking) in waters that are not very attractive (cold and at times icy!). In most cases people wanting to "cross the pond" want to do it as quickly and as cheaply as possible.

[Big B]

ORIGINAL: dr.hal
In most cases people wanting to "cross the pond" want to do it as quickly and as cheaply as possible.

Aye, that's why she languished with the Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth in the 70's.... Air Travel.

[wdolson]

It looks like she's in poor condition.

This article has some recent pictures:
http://www.wired.com/2014/09/the-fight-to-save-americas-last-great-ocean-liner/#slide-1

Bill

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: dr.hal

She was outdated the day she hit the water, but a beautiful ship non the less. It would be amazing to see her out there again, but I too doubt it due to certain factors, one being it was a very crew intensive ship and another is the competition. Finally the trans-Atlantic run, which is what she was built for, is no longer something that is viable, as it is a short run (relatively speaking) in waters that are not very attractive (cold and at times icy!). In most cases people wanting to "cross the pond" want to do it as quickly and as cheaply as possible.

She would be run as a cruise ship for a niche audience. I think it could be done. At least, I'm not ruling it out as impossible. If they could do it and keep her speed up, she could do destination cruises that don't require passengers to fly to the destination first [:'(]. I, for one, would rather get on a cool old ship for a cruise than one of those disgusting new ones.

This article that I read earlier points out that it would need to be re-engined, among other things. It's a feasibility study right now.
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/20 ... o-sea.html

[Big B]

The SS United States was also funded by the US Government (at least in part) because the Military wanted her for a fast troop transport when needed ....as I recall

[Big B]

+1
My wife and I have spent the past 33 years visiting the RMS Queen Mary in Long Beach CA, I was sad when the Greeks broke up the SS America several years ago - she would have been wonderful to do a short cruise to San Francisco or north from L.A., Lots of nostalgic atmosphere ..

ORIGINAL: Lokasenna
I, for one, would rather get on a cool old ship for a cruise than one of those disgusting new ones.

[Footslogger]

Here's a current video about the project.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPeoI764Wss

This one explores the ship.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxIgkgBbpQg

[Jorge_Stanbury]

I doubt it will be economic to run: too old, too run down

there is only one ocean liner left, the Queen Mary 2 and it is much newer, thus it will be hard to compete against it.

And even harder to compete against those vacation cruise ships

[Footslogger]

As so was the SS America or American Star a sister ship to the SS United States?

Here's a video on them both.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so_2D1R4fYk

[Big B]

ORIGINAL: Footslogger

As so was the SS America or American Star a sister ship to the SS United States?

Here's a video on them both.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=so_2D1R4fYk

No she was NOT a sister to the SS United States, but here's one of several videos on her: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcD9qG0qeXs

[Lowpe]

I drive by the United States every now and then, and she is awe inspiring, but make no mistake she will never steam anywhere ever again.

She is for the knockers.

[Jorge_Stanbury]

Even if they can make it steam again, which is dubious, what kind of amenities can they add to this old ship?

in the old days, passengers expected a fast trip plus good food, drinks, shuffleboard and deck chairs. That is it. Today customers expects nothing less than a floating palace: casinos, cinemas, multiple pools, bars, restaurants. The ship would need significant re-design, it might be cheaper to simply build a new one

[dr.hal]

I agree Lokasenna, if there IS a niche market for her. However today, speed through the water is not nearly as important as speed OVER the water. SO if one wants a speedy trip, air is the way to go. If one wants a trip steeped in luxury then the cruise liners are the way to go... I'm not sure there is much of a "niche" left however to support what it would cost to make this ship go! Now if they could raise the RMS Titanic or recreate her for a "period" piece method of travel, then you might have something....

[Jorge_Stanbury]

There was actually a project to build a new "Titanic"... but it was abandoned recently

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic_II

[Bullwinkle58]

ORIGINAL: dr.hal

I agree Lokasenna, if there IS a niche market for her. However today, speed through the water is not nearly as important as speed OVER the water. SO if one wants a speedy trip, air is the way to go. If one wants a trip steeped in luxury then the cruise liners are the way to go... I'm not sure there is much of a "niche" left however to support what it would cost to make this ship go! Now if they could raise the RMS Titanic or recreate her for a "period" piece method of travel, then you might have something....

Most of the major cruise lines do repositioning cruises seasonally. If you want to cross the Atlantic it's very easy to arrange. Modern ship, modern amenities. The cruises are often cut-price to fill the berths as the ship has to go regardless and passengers are gravy.

I crossed the Atlantic by ship in each direction before I was seven years old. Not a lot of luxury, but good memories.

[geofflambert]

How about Antarctic runs in the Winter and Arctic runs in the Summer? I'd feel a lot safer on her than the current sort of cruise ship.

[Lokasenna]

ORIGINAL: dr.hal

I agree Lokasenna, if there IS a niche market for her. However today, speed through the water is not nearly as important as speed OVER the water. SO if one wants a speedy trip, air is the way to go. If one wants a trip steeped in luxury then the cruise liners are the way to go... I'm not sure there is much of a "niche" left however to support what it would cost to make this ship go! Now if they could raise the RMS Titanic or recreate her for a "period" piece method of travel, then you might have something....

Well, I don't think they would be going for transportation, really. It would still be a cruise ship. It would just be for a cruise with a very specific atmosphere. Namely, before the advent of the modern party ship.

I know of people who find existing cruise ships disgusting/not fun and would rather go on a more low-key (i.e. fewer people on the ship, no ridiculous "amenities", etc.) relaxation cruise. I would also.

This ship also has the advantage of being able to automatically dock at US ports by virtue of being a US ship. At least the article says that's an advantage.