New bid to get cruise ship Vistafjord as a
Riverside Hotel or Museum on the Tyne
August 24th 2010, by Tony Henderson, Evening Chronicle
A BID has been launched to bring the last cruise liner built on the Tyne back to the river.
The Vistafjord was built by Swan Hunter in 1973 for the Norwegian America Line.
She later became the Cunard liner Caronia and is now operated by Saga Cruises as the Saga Ruby.
Now former diplomat Paul Haggie is calling on councils and other organisations in the North East to start planning to return the ship to the Tyne when she retires, which is thought to be in around eight years’ time.
His proposal is to use the liner as a floating hotel which would add another dimension to the Tyne’s growing prominence as a cruise ship destination.
This year 25 cruise liners will have visited the Tyne and another 19 are booked already for next year.
Mr Haggie grew up in High Pit, Cramlington, Northumberland, where his father George ran the local garage.
He was educated at Newcastle Royal Grammar School and Manchester University, where he studied maritime history for a PhD.
He then served in the diplomatic corps in Thailand, Pakistan and South Africa before retiring.
Mr Haggie, who is carrying out historical naval research, said the Saga Ruby was the also the last liner to be built in the UK.
He said: “The UK has failed to maintain any of its cruise liners and this is our last chance to recognise this shipbuilding heritage.
“The proposal is to maintain the Saga Ruby on the Tyne where she could generate revenue for the region.
“Her use as a hotel would give visitors the experience of staying on a cruise liner and allow them more time to visit the many North East attractions than the day or two usually available to passengers on calling ships.
“The idea would be to take over the ship as she retires, so avoiding the costly process of the liner being laid up.”
Mr Haggie said one location for the ship could be the north bank of the Tyne where there are plans for a major regeneration scheme running from Walker in Newcastle to North Tyneside.
“To acquire and return this classic Tyne-built cruise liner when she is withdrawn from service for transformation into a floating hotel and museum ship would serve as a centrepiece for the regeneration project and as a living witness to the area’s maritime heritage,” he said.
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