Thread: The end of cruise ships, as we know them?

Originally Posted by bob10

As I understand it, countries like the Bahamas and Malta have been declared 'Flags of convenience' by the International Transport Workers Federation. Registering under a flag of convenience usually means lower taxes and les stringent regulations, thus reducing operating costs and avoiding government regulations, especially regarding workers rights, and environmental regulations.

Caribbean tax shelters

Consider the Artenia. The ship is owned by British cruise line P&O, chartered to a German company, operates out of Frankfurt and is registered in the Bahamas.The Ruby Princess operates out of Australia but is registered in Bermuda. Its owner, Princess Cruises, is headquartered in California but also incorporated in Bermuda.Most cruise ships are registered in a country different to ownership or operation. More than two-thirds (by tonnage) fly the flags of just three nations – the Bahamas, Panama and Bermuda. Flags of convenience make the cruise ship industry one of the world’s least regulated, with owners and operators able to skirt more stringent workplace, health, safety and environmental rules. For crew, particularly those in “lower level” service jobs, pay and conditions are poor. Many accept such conditions to earn money for their families. Hidden from view, even passengers can be oblivious to their conditions.

Cruising far from US law. linky not worky, but click on 'least regulated' about an expose of the American cruise industry. But wait. Try this;


Vacations in No Man's Seas - Univision Noticias

Linky Worky!

Yes but they are no different to the 1000s of international ships such as iron ore bulk carriers, gas, oil, coal and grain ships getting goods to market. These to a large degree are modern ships (such ships are scrapped at often less than 20 years). To be fair they employ a crew of many people of all nationalities and skill sets. For some crew the accomodation and “ poor pay and conditions” may be a lot better than those of their countrymen! (Think the poor immigrant Covid shipyard workers in Singapore). A life on the ocean. Methinks also you don’t want any old bunny looking after your important expensive ship. These ships are owned by international companies of good and bad reputation who must compete for the competent trained crew. The markets are high risk and highly competitive.

So you need to separate “tax effectiveness” with “quality” as all ships cannot be insured unless built to an internationally recognised Class i.e Lloyd’s, BV, DNV etc. A ship cannot touch an Australian dock without such accreditation and many commercial charterers such as Rio or BHP will specify a ship of, say, no more than 10 years old in the charter request.

Now that’s not to say the local authorities may specify things a little differently for ships permanently operating in Australia with Australians but that’s a matter of taste largely as body sizes are different and a case of what you used to having and not having.

40 years ago there was some real rubbish on the water if you remember the Kirki on the West Coast whose bow fell off in bad weather. Those days are gone for international ships.

(I would separate sheep ships out of this as these look terrible places to work from what I’ve seen)

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

I recommend supporting Australian owned boutique cruise company True North. 36 pax about the right amount.

I would too except for the cost for a week. If cruise lines shut down then they will have a captive market and let's see what happens to prices. If more people use them then the prices should drop, hey? I won't hold my breath.

I’m already over....it’s all going to be different media hype.

It’ll soon be forgotten...a vaccine will be in place and back to normal.

the governments make it to hard and media best it up too much people will hurt for longer.

Social distancing in planes will simply not work.

Look at the amount of people out this weekend with a so call softening.

Originally Posted by Saitch

I would too except for the cost for a week. If cruise lines shut down then they will have a captive market and let's see what happens to prices. If more people use them then the prices should drop, hey? I won't hold my breath.

The exact difference and appeal between 36 and 2536 paying passengers but you can get in to more exciting places.

Originally Posted by PerthDisco

The exact difference and appeal between 36 and 2536 paying passengers but you can get in to more exciting places.

Really? With around 1268 females on a big ship?

DL

Originally Posted by 350RRC

Really? With around 1268 females on a big ship?

DL

Most likely 1268 females with an average age of about 60, Happy days

Originally Posted by trout1105

Most likely 1268 females with an average age of about 60, Happy days

Toothless cougars?