I really don't see this lasting... Sorry.
Who in the world would fly to Halifax, spend the thousands of dollars (plane ticket, ship ticket etc. You'd probably spend close to a grand.) Just to sail for like 1 day, and go to Portland Maine. Come on. Or if they where already here, and just wanted to sail on it, that would work, but I doubt there is enough people to make it profitable.
I don't see people buying this as a short cruise, it's a ferry no matter how you spin it. They tried to spin the Cat as a tourist destination, as it was an interesting ship, fast, had amenities etc. etc. And it didn't work. People went to look at the ship, rather then actually go on it... Which isn't very profitable.
The only thing that would help this new company is they would actually turn it into a 'cruise ship' in the winter months down in Florida/ Bahamas.
I'd give it... 5-10 years of operation, and we'll be back here talking about how this didn't last or succeed.
I do wish them the best, and I can't wait to see the ship. But I have my doubts, as I just don't see the demand. Trucks would end up being the main use for this ferry just like it was for the Cat. Halifax, and Portland are just not big enough destinations (at least to warrant a ferry between the two,) nor do they have alot of business travelers etc. Going between the two cities to need a ferry.
__________________
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."
- Albert Einstein
Last edited by Canadian_Bacon; Oct 17, 2010 at 7:10 AM.
|