Maxim Gorkiy - static hotel at Hamburg?

[Jens Boldt]

Rumour has it that 1969-built Maxim Gorkiy may have a future as a static hotel ship/tourist attraction at Hamburg, Germany, her old homeport. Very nice idea!

By the way, can anyone tell me the current whereabout of the vessel. Is she still in Venice, where her last voyage for Phoenix Seereisen ended on November, 30?

Greetings,
Jens

[CedricH]

Hi,

wasn't she going to enter service with Orient Lines? There were some reports a few months ago that Orient Lines would take her over from Phoenix Reisen and let her sail on for a couple of years after an extensive dry docking period to ready her for SOLAS 2010.

Regards
Cedric

[Jens Boldt]

No, she won't. Wayner Heller announced last month that due to the economical crisis Orient Lines' startup would be postponed. He didn't say for how long, but operations will not start in the near future and defintely not in April 2009 (as it was planned). AND he did say nothing concerning Maxim Gorkiy's future.

Her possible future as a hotel ship at Hamburg was announced today at maritimematters.com, but there's no hint who "revealed" this news or who might be the one(s) who'd spend the money to bring her to Hamburg.

Regards,
Jens

[David Harrison]

It was proposed that Maxim Gorkiy was to be renamed Marco Polo 2  and sail for Orient Lines. Apparently there is now doubt as to whether it will happen.

[CedricH]

Hi,

I hadn't read that last bit of news. Still, it's better than watching her being broken up on a beach. I hope they can keep some of the ships atmosphere whilst converting her into a hotel!

Regards
Cedric

[Tina]

Hi,

as far as I know she has left Venice december 2nd and arrived at Pireus - bay near Hellenic Shipyards december 5th. She will be refit there but not much. A small chance that she would be chartered bey Metropolis Tur if Club Cruise becomes problems with the van gogh.

Tina