Crystal scraps plans to restore iconic ocean liner
Friday, 08 Aug, 2016
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Iconic ocean liner SS United States will not be sailing the seas again after all.
Luxury line Crystal Cruises announced the barriers to bringing it back as a functioning cruise ship are ‘insurmountable’.
Crystal commissioned a $1 million six-month feasibility study in February which has concluded the vessel could not be commercially viable.
"Over the past six months, Crystal has conducted an extensive feasibility study to restore ‘America’s Flagship’ to oceangoing service. Unfortunately, the hurdles that would face us when trying to bring a 65-year-old vessel up to modern safety, design and international regulatory compliance have proven just too great to clear in both a technically and commercially responsible manner," Crystal CEO Edie Rodriguez said.
The study found the ship is still structurally sound but would require major work replacing part of the hull to bring it in line with modern operating standards.
"Our company has great affection for this historic and irreplaceable vessel, and we will be making a $350,000 donation which will help support the Conservancy preserve the vessel through the remainder of the year," added Rodriguez.
"We firmly believe the SS United States is an American treasure and deserves to be preserved and redeveloped as a stationary destination for future generations.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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