Norway future uncertain, heading for Malaysia

The Norway, pulled from Caribbean cruise service by Norwegian Cruise Line after a tragic boiler explosion in 2003 killed eight crew members, is reported to be headed toward Malaysia for an unsettled future.

Immediately after the catastrophe, whose power knocked doors out of their frames three decks away, it seemed that Norwegian planned to repair the ship and press it back into service. Those plans failed to materialize, and the Norway has languished in mothballs since then. At the time, the Norway was the consistent low-price leader for Caribbean cruises with fares frequently dipping as low as $350 per person including taxes for a 7-night cruise. Today, though, rumors have the Malaysia-bound ship becoming a training vessel for hotel staff.

In spite of its low-rent reputation prior to the accident, the ship pulled a loyal following as a classic, true ocean liner with beautiful lines. The world's largest ship when launched as the France in 1961, the Norway is a mere 100 feet shorter than the Queen Mary 2, today's largest ship in the world by any measure.

AFP Via Yahoo! News: Giant 'Norway' liner sets sail for new life in Malaysia