History of the S.S. Norway

Jason · April 6, 2005

1962: Enters service as SS France

1974: Laid up at Le Havre, France

1979: Bought and rebuilt as SS Norway

1980: Begins Miami cruises for Norwegian Cruise Line

1990: Two decks added

2001: Retirement of ship postponed after 9-11

2003: Boiler explodes, killing eight crew members

2003: Ship towed to Germany

2004: NCL says ship won't return to U.S. market

2005: Scrapping raised as possibility. Ship transferred to Star Cruises

Source: maritimematters.com; Sun-Sentinel research

DaCruzNut · April 6, 2005

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Her keel was first set down in 1957 and she was launched in May of 1960. She was France's last "ship of state" and the service and style on board matched her elegant profile. For most of the year she crossed from LeHavre to New York via Southampton and occasionally she was sent on a cruise, usually to an exotic destination.

She was the subject of many unrealized projects, until 1979 when she was purchased by Norwegian Caribbean Lines, and converted into the worlds largest cruise ship. Two of her four propellers were removed and she underwent extensive renovations until she emerged significantly heavier as the S.S. Norway in 1980.

I was fortunate enough to have sailed on her, but only once, before she was taken out of service. I had hoped to be able to sail on her again, perhaps several times, except fot the fact that we have lost herÃ¢â‚¬Â¦.