Just all about profits, quantity over quality. Too many oversized cruise ships, too many people with gargantuan appetites and too little class!!!!!! Sailed on the France from Le Havre to New York in 65 and have nothing but wonderful memories of our crossing.
I was working on a music film in Bremerhaven (West Germany as was) in the mid-70s when SS France was in dry dock being converted into the Norway. What caught my attention was the eye-watering shade of blue they'd applied to the hull. I asked my boss if we could get her in shot somehow and was firmly told NO! Why? Because the film company didn't want to associated with some old relic - which I thought was somewhat unfair. It's beautiful lines were breathtaking.
Originally She was the SS France. This beautiful ship was bought by Norwegian ship lines and then only used as a simple small vacation cruise ship. She was not built for that. This Grand Lady was built like the Cunard lines Q-Mary, Q-Elizabeth, and Q-Victoria who were all built for cross Atlantic cruise crossings. When the Norwegian cruise lines bought her they simply did not keep her up as far as mechanically or painted to stay beautiful as the largest cross Atlantic liner in the world. She will always be the SS France to me with her unusual beautiful superstructure and stacks which was different than any other ship ever built. She was a beauty to behold and one that should have been kept for worldwide cruises.
I'm a little older now, though I wouldn't consider myself old (35). This was my favorite ship, I remember every summer going on a cruise on the Norway with my parents and it honestly was the best ship on the water. Sure Royal Caribbean had ones that were more modern and everything, but they just didn't stand up to this one looking back. It had everything you could ever want for a cruise ship. I remember they had "Formal Night" on every cruise where everyone would dress in their best clothes, guys in suits (some even wearing a tux) and women in their nicest dresses. It really gave you the feel of the scenes from Titanic where the first class passengers would gather for dinner. The dining rooms were five stars, and I'll always remember the one staircase with the clock at the top of it. It kind of gave you a nice feeling (though it was a little inconvenient) that it was the only ship that couldn't dock in a lot of ports, which is why it had it's own two tenders that it would transport along with it, because the ship was simply just so massive.
You youngsters need to appreciate these old Ships of Yore. They were the precursors to the massive Liners of today. It is all History, expand you're Knowledge base and don't be so quick to Defame or Dismiss their Story / History. All old Ships have/had a story to relate, appreciate them all.
I was a casino dealer on this beauty in 1985 when we did a Atlantic crossing taking it to Norway to show it off. The fjords of Norway should be a destination for everyone.
Sailed on the France, including the last East-West crossing. I still have the complete set of menus for the "Chambord" restaurant on that last trip. There was not a pepper mill to be seen, ever single one had been stolen!
Era lindo, tive a oportunidade de estar a bordo, viajar neste belíssimo navio no reveillon de 1990/1991, fiquei surpreso com a explosão e seu fim....memorias eternas!!!! Obrigrado SS Norway (Eduardo - Brazil!!)
I had the pleasure of sailing on this magnificent ship back in 2001 to Tahiti, and it was probably the most smoothest cruises i've experienced. Saddened that it's no longer sailing!
She really was a beautiful ship. I sailed on her in the early 1980's on a family cruise over Christmas and New Years. At the time, I believe she was the largest passenger ship afloat. Beautiful lines. I wish modern cruise ships looked more like these old ocean liners.
The end of a noble lady. One of the last of the great trans Atlantic liners and truly one of the great beauties. I saw her when my grandmother sailed on her maiden voyage from New York. The cruise ships of today are floating cities devoid of any personality. The France tried to carry on the tradition of the Normandie, perhaps the best liner every built. By the time she sailed there was no longer a need for her. Jet travel had made her redundant. If you look closely at the pictures you will see the additional decks that were added to try to wring the most profit out of the ship in the cruise trade. They only served to destroy the graceful lines of the ship. It is heartbreaking to watch her go the route of so many other classics.
Just all about profits, quantity over quality. Too many oversized cruise ships, too many people with gargantuan appetites and too little class!!!!!! Sailed on the France from Le Havre to New York in 65 and have nothing but wonderful memories of our crossing.
I was working on a music film in Bremerhaven (West Germany as was) in the mid-70s when SS France was in dry dock being converted into the Norway. What caught my attention was the eye-watering shade of blue they'd applied to the hull. I asked my boss if we could get her in shot somehow and was firmly told NO! Why? Because the film company didn't want to associated with some old relic - which I thought was somewhat unfair. It's beautiful lines were breathtaking.
Originally She was the SS France. This beautiful ship was bought by Norwegian ship lines and then only used as a simple small vacation cruise ship. She was not built for that. This Grand Lady was built like the Cunard lines Q-Mary, Q-Elizabeth, and Q-Victoria who were all built for cross Atlantic cruise crossings. When the Norwegian cruise lines bought her they simply did not keep her up as far as mechanically or painted to stay beautiful as the largest cross Atlantic liner in the world. She will always be the SS France to me with her unusual beautiful superstructure and stacks which was different than any other ship ever built. She was a beauty to behold and one that should have been kept for worldwide cruises.
This is much better than the floating blocks of flats they call cruise liners today
Absolute insanity. £2m on a cosmetic makeover and Moor her up as a floating hotel. She would have made her money back easily.
If I ever own a line of ships, they will all be styled after classic ocean liners.
I'm a little older now, though I wouldn't consider myself old (35). This was my favorite ship, I remember every summer going on a cruise on the Norway with my parents and it honestly was the best ship on the water. Sure Royal Caribbean had ones that were more modern and everything, but they just didn't stand up to this one looking back. It had everything you could ever want for a cruise ship. I remember they had "Formal Night" on every cruise where everyone would dress in their best clothes, guys in suits (some even wearing a tux) and women in their nicest dresses. It really gave you the feel of the scenes from Titanic where the first class passengers would gather for dinner. The dining rooms were five stars, and I'll always remember the one staircase with the clock at the top of it. It kind of gave you a nice feeling (though it was a little inconvenient) that it was the only ship that couldn't dock in a lot of ports, which is why it had it's own two tenders that it would transport along with it, because the ship was simply just so massive.
Took my first cruise aboard the Norway out of Miami, sailed her a total of 4 times. She was a grand lady and will be missed.
You youngsters need to appreciate these old Ships of Yore. They were the precursors to the massive Liners of today. It is all History, expand you're Knowledge base and don't be so quick to Defame or Dismiss their Story / History. All old Ships have/had a story to relate, appreciate them all.
I was a casino dealer on this beauty in 1985 when we did a Atlantic crossing taking it to Norway to show it off. The fjords of Norway should be a destination for everyone.
Sailed on the France, including the last East-West crossing. I still have the complete set of menus for the "Chambord" restaurant on that last trip. There was not a pepper mill to be seen, ever single one had been stolen!
So sad to to see another beautiful ship die. The new cruise ships are fat, ugly, top heavy apartment blocks with Butlins holiday camps attached.
was on the ss Norway in the mid 80s she was fun to be on and the staff was awsome. have been on other ships since then but I miss the old style.
Era lindo, tive a oportunidade de estar a bordo, viajar neste belíssimo navio no reveillon de 1990/1991, fiquei surpreso com a explosão e seu fim....memorias eternas!!!! Obrigrado SS Norway (Eduardo - Brazil!!)
I had the pleasure of sailing on this magnificent ship back in 2001 to Tahiti, and it was probably the most smoothest cruises i've experienced. Saddened that it's no longer sailing!
She really was a beautiful ship. I sailed on her in the early 1980's on a family cruise over Christmas and New Years. At the time, I believe she was the largest passenger ship afloat. Beautiful lines. I wish modern cruise ships looked more like these old ocean liners.
The end of a noble lady. One of the last of the great trans Atlantic liners and truly one of the great beauties. I saw her when my grandmother sailed on her maiden voyage from New York. The cruise ships of today are floating cities devoid of any personality. The France tried to carry on the tradition of the Normandie, perhaps the best liner every built. By the time she sailed there was no longer a need for her. Jet travel had made her redundant. If you look closely at the pictures you will see the additional decks that were added to try to wring the most profit out of the ship in the cruise trade. They only served to destroy the graceful lines of the ship. It is heartbreaking to watch her go the route of so many other classics.
The newer ships are ugly, top-heavy pig boats. This ship had such beautiful lines and was much faster than what they use today.
One day I will try my hardest to rebuild the Olympic Class Liners... Titanic, Olympic, Britannic, Etc
I was invited by the master in 1998 to get her under way from Saint Thomas. The former SS France. Great Ship great memories.