Ship’s timeline
The very beginning - why the France was built.
On an early Sunday morning in 1941 while the "Normandie" was moored alongside pier 88 in New York for conversion into a troop ship, a welders torch lighted some lifejackets which had been piled up nearby. When the fire started on February 9th only a scratch crew remained on board together with herds of workers doing the conversion from a luxurious liner to a troop carrying ship. The fire spread fast and city fire fighters had to put it out without any proper knowledge of the ships lay out. Fire tugs came to assist by pouring water onto the ship, eventually making it top heavy and causing it to capsizes at her berth. The once magnificent ship lay on her side off the berth like big grey and dead whale. She was a total loss and cut up for scrapping.
Following the devastating loss of the “Normandie” and its burning in New York harbor on February 9, 1942, French Line was given as reparations from the tragedy of the war the German liner “Europa” of 1928. She was renamed “Liberte” and measured in at 49,746 tons. Together with the much loved 44,396 ton “Ile de France”, the pair ran as running mates until it became clear that their days were numbered as a result from air line competition.
The “Ile de France” was withdrawn from service in November 1958, the same year that the first jet liner made successful leaps over the ocean liner. The “Liberte” remained in service in time for the new projected liner to take over the North Atlantic run. In fact, the two ships meet twice before the “Liberte” was removed from service in 1961 and scrapped the following year.
1947
Apparently, the drawings of a fast new ship for the French Line were made by a Polish architect. The ship would be about 55.000 GRT and travel at speeds in excess of 30 knots.
Autumn 1952
CGT's design office presents the first preliminary plans for a new liner to the yard at Chantiers de l'Atlantique.
November 1953
The shipping line signs a contract with the shipyard to further develop two main projects, a 5-day and a 6-day liner carrying about 2000 passengers, the first at a speed of 31 knots and the latter with a speed of 25 knots. The French government subsidizes the project with one hundred million francs.
1954 - 1955
A lot of controversy is raised on the final design of the new liner, and the French government ends up increasing the funding to 4 hundred million francs and sets a maximum limit to 4 billion francs.
End 1955
CGT agrees to fund the project themselves within the framework of the Shipbuilding Act passed on May 24th 1951.
1956
The 35000 tons 100 passengers 6-day transatlantic liner project is being dusted off again, and further talks between CGT and French government pursues.
June 1956
Final bargaining price of 27.360 billion old francs is reached. 19.700 billions francs is funded by CGT while 7.660 million francs makes out the government subsidies to offset the difference between the French price and the International price.
June 20th 1956
French Parliament ratifies the order.
July 25th 1956
The building contract was signed by CGT Chairman Jean Marie for a new-building to be numbered G19 for the French Line.
Early - 1957
Delay occurs when CGT is forced to increase it's contribution on funding to 820 millions francs.
March - May 1957
Different models are tried and tested at the model testing basin in Paris.
July 16th 1957
Parliamentary votes releases the necessary credits to go ahead with the order.
September 27th 1957 (or possibly October 7th 1957: see note below)
First keel plate laid in the same slip as "Normandie" at Chantiers de'l Atlanique, Penhoet, Saint Nazaire, France. According to the builders book on the France: “Le Paquebot France”, the keel was laid on October 7th 1957. This October date is again verified by articles in STEAMBOAT BILL magazine, fall 1984, as written by Peter C Koehler, and in THE SHIPBUILDER and MARINE ENGINE-BUILDER, dated Ferbuary 1962, Vol 69, No. 651.
1957
This became the first year in history where a higher number of passengers were carried by planes rather than ocean liners across the Atlantic Ocean.
1958
The first plane with jet propulsion crossed the Atlantic Ocean - the planes were evolving and becoming faster and more popular. The behemoths of the seas were struggling to keep their passengers and many liners sailings were no longer profitable.
January 15th 1958
Keel is entirely finished.
January - August 1958
First four forward boilers fitted onto what was to become the forward boiler room's deck.
May 1958
First part of the extensive frame work assembled.
October 1958
In the space of the last 6 months, some 6000 tons of steel plates were assembled.
December 19th 1958
A pre-fabricated stern post is lifted into place and mounted, at a weight of 52 tons.
End of June 1959
All hull completed as far up as to Promenade deck.
October 24th 1959
Final part of the stem fitted, weight of 32 tons. Some 20.000 tons of plates had by now been fitted.
March 1960
The hull receives the first coating of paint.
May 3rd 1960
The main mast, the radar mast fitted.
May 11th 1960
Christened the S.S. France by Madame Yvonne De Gaulle, wife of French President Charles De Gaulle and launched into the Loine River at 16:15 hours - launching speed reached 14 knots. There were more than 100.000 spectators to the historical event.
July 9th 1960
The new liner is being towed to Joubert dry dock to have the launch cradle removed and to have the rudder and 4 propellers fitted.
December 1960
Final assembly of the roof structure is completed.
March 1961
Construction of the funnels are completed in the workshops.
June 17th 1961
The French and International press is given a guided tour of the unfinished liner.
July 1961
Vessel returned to dry dock to fit the four propellers and the stabilizers in preparations for her sea trials.
July 28th 1961
G19 leaves the dry dock.
End of August 1961
Both funnels and their unique winglets are finally fitted.
September 1961
First vessel trials at her moorings alongside her dock.
November 7th 1961
G19 moved from the outfitting dock to the Joubert dry dock for careening and final paint works.
November 11th - 12th 1961
A visit is organized for 8.000 workers and managers of the yard with their families, a total of some 40.000 people.
November 19th 1961
G19 sails for the first time from Saint Nazaire for her sea trials of Belle Isle. The new liner is now regarded as the "France" and the call sign FNRR is dedicated to her name. Her home port is now Le Havre.
November 22nd 1961
First power and speed tests performed and ship achieves a maximum speed of 34,13 knots at 144.000 hp (note: The book, 303, also states that a maximum speed of 35,33 knots was achieved without any vibrations, at sea trials in December 1961)
November 23rd 1961
France arrives for the first time at her home port when she docks at Joannes Couvert dock, cheered on by a huge crowd of spectators.
January 6th 1962
Owner signs the acceptance certificate, vessel departs for Southampton for final tests.
January 11th 1962
Official innaguration at Le Havre presided over by French Prime Minister Michel Debre.
January 12th - 13th 1962
Reception held on board for travel agents.
January 13th 1962
"Petit Lits Blancs" Charity event held on board.
January 19th - 27th 1962
Maiden voyage with Madame De Gaulle and Madame Michel Debre on board as passengers;- a press shake down cruise from Le Havre to the Canary Islands. Total passengers on this voyage was 1.704 passengers.
February 3rd 1962
Maiden westbound Atlantic crossing from Le Havre with a passenger load of 1.958 passengers.
February 8th 1962
Maiden arrival in New York, US.
February 11th 1962
Maiden eastbound Atlantic crossing from New York with a passenger load of 1.829 passengers.
February 23rd 1962
Second westbound Atlantic crossing under the theme as a "French Elegance and taste" - crossing.
End of 1962
First full year figures: 2 cruises, 44 transatlantic crossings, 159.000 nautical miles sailed and 65.232 passengers transported.
February 1963
First cruise to Rio De Janeiro departing from New York.
March 1963
First Caribbean cruise.
July 16th 1964
France sails her 100th transatlantic crossing, and passes 152.232 passengers transported.
August 28th - September 1965
A record number of passengers carried on one round-trip crossing: 4.121. First theatrical production staged and performed on board.
March 1966
Mediterranean cruise is dominated by a stop over at Alexandria, Egypt, where a storm blacked passengers for 3 days.
End of 1966
By the end of the year, some 313.741 passengers had been carried since the liner went into service.
May 1967
France makes her first voyage to Canada for the Montreal Expo. (Confirmation needed.)
July 13th - July 26th 1967
France was docked at Ile Notre Dame in Montreal, Canada, acting as an additional French Pavilion at the 1967 World’s Fair Expo ’67. (Article on Wikipedia concerning the World Expo, please <see here>.)
November 9th 1968
France passes her 1.000.000 nautical miles cruising mark.
April 1969
Imperial Cruise, a cruise in the footsteps of Napoleon is conducted.
April 19th 1969
The France, on her Imperial Cruise, stops at Saint Helena.
May 26th 1970
France inaugurates her service at Bremerhaven.
December 20th 1970
The SS France departs New York Pier 92 Nord at 23:00 hours for a Noel Caribe Cruise. The ship was commanded by Commandant Christian Pettre.
December 22nd 1970
SS France arrives at Port Everglades at 14:00 hours after having sailed a total of 939 nautical miles at an average speed of 26,30 knots. After a short stop, she departed again at 16:30 hours the very same day.
December 24th 1970
France arrived and anchored off Port Au Prince, Haiti, at 06:30 hours in the early morning having sailed a total of 702 nautical miles from Port Everglades at an average speed of 19.08 knots. The ship departed at 19:00 hours the same evening.
December 26th 1970
France anchored off Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, USVI, at 07:00 hours in the morning. At the time, she had added another 629 nautical miles to her distance at an average speed of 18,28 knots. She remained at anchor until 18:00 hours same day.
December 27th 1970
SS France anchored at Fort De France, Martinique, at 07:00 hours in the morning. Distance sailed from Saint Thomas was clocked at 317 nautical miles, average speed 25,77 knots. Departure was at 19:00 hours in the evening.
December 28th 1970
SS France anchored at Bridgetown, Barbados, at 07:00 hours in the morning, having sailed a total of 122 nautical miles from Martinique, average speed 19,68 knots. Departure at 23:00 hours the same day.
On December 29th, the ship cruised 08:00 hours to 12:00 noon passed Saint Vincent, Grenadines Islands and Grenade.
December 30th 1970
SS France called at Caracas Bay, Curacao: anchoring at 08:00 hours. Distance sailed from Barbados was 626 nautical miles, average speed 21,81 knots.
December 31st 1970
SS France departed from Caracas Bay, Curacao, at 07:00 hours in the morning.
January 1st 1971
SS France anchored at Phillipsburg, Saint Maarten, at 09:00 hours in the morning having sailed a total of 508 nautical miles from last port of call, at an average speed of 20,32 knots. She departed Saint Maarten at 19:00 hours in the evening.
January 3rd 1971
SS France docked at Port Everglades at 13:00 hours, having logged some 1077 nautical miles from Saint Maarten at an average speed of 26,32 knots. She departed after a brief stop at 16:00 hours.
January 5th 1971
SS France returned to New York from her Noel Caribe Cruise, docking at Pier 92 North at 05:00 hours in the morning. Distance sailed from Port Everglades was clocked at 941 nautical miles, average speed 28,64 knots. Total distance sailed during the whole cruise was 5861 nautical miles.
January 5th - April 10th 1972
France sails her first around the world cruise, based on the theme "Around the world in 80 days" by JulesVerne.
January 4th - April 11th 1974
France performs her second around the world cruise, a voyage in which it was first announced (March 1974) that the vessel would soon be withdrawn from service, since French was no longer prepared to subsidize it's operating losses.
July 8th 1974
French government officially announced through CGT that the subsidies to uphold the Atlantic run would cease and the France was to be laid up starting at October 25th 1974.
August 30th 1974
France final departure from New York, bound for Le Havre.
September 11th 1974
On a return run to Le Havre from New York, French trade opportunists and her crew seized the ship as it entered Le Havre. Captain Pettre is forced to have her anchored in the main channel.
September 12th 1974
The liners 1.226 passengers are transferred to a car ferry for disembarkation at Le Havre.
September 24th 1974
Bad weather forces the Captain to take his ship in the lee of the Cherbourg peninsula, facing Saint-Vaast la Hougue.
October 9th 1974
Strike failed and the ship was per-maturely withdrawn from service. She was docked by a French power station at Quai de L'Oubli (pier of the forgotten).
The SS France had completed 377 crossing and 93 cruises (whereof 2 full world cruises: in 1973 and 1974).
The SS France had carried a total of 588.024 passengers on trans-Atlantic crossings and a total of 113.862 passengers on cruises. The total passenger count carried by the SS France would therefore end at 701.886 passengers.
The SS France had sailed a total of 1.860.000 nautical miles on her voyages.
December 19th 1974
The France departs Joannes Couvert wharf to be moored in the Maritime Canal - dubbed the quay of oblivion - for further lay-up.
October 1977
Sold to Saudi Arabian oil billionaire Akhram Ojjeh for US$24 million. His plans for the ship was to rebuild her into a floating hotel of the Florida Coast.
June 26th 1979
SS France officiallt sold to Knut Kloster of Norwegian Caribbean Lines for US$18 million.
July 15th 1979
Knut Kloster, Chairman of Norwegian Caribbean Lines, announces to the world that he has purchased the former transatlantic super-liner SS France and that he intends to convert her to a warm water cruise ship.
August 18th or 19th 1979 (?)
France departs her lay - up under tow as the Norway. Her new name painted onto the bow but covered to avoid raising protests. According to the book “Transatlantic Liners” by William H. Miller, Acro Publishing 1981, “The SS France of 1962, The SS Norway of 1979” by William H. Miller and Luis Miguel Correia, published by Liner Books in 2002, and according to “France- Un Reve De Geant” by Claude Villers and Christian Cleres, published by Gleant in 1996, the date of departure from Le Havre under tow, is quoted as August 18th 1979. The book “SS Norway - The Worlds Lagrest Passenger ship - a Tribute in Words and Pictures” by Alf G Andersen, published by Forlaget Nordvest in 1984/5, August 17th is quoted as the departure date from France.
August 22nd 1979
SS France arrived under tow to Lloyds Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany, for conversion from SS France to SS Norway including reorganization of the complete interior accommodation, installation of supplementary penthouses and de-luxe suites and supplementary swimming pools. Installed a 40.000 HP engine plant. Two tender boats built by Holen Mekaniske Verksted in Norway and installed by Lloyds Werft onto forecastle.
Mid April 1980
Sea trial for the new SS Norway where the ship achieved a top speed of 25 knots. Service speed would be 17,8 knots. SS Norway was registered in Oslo and received the maybe not so fitting call sign LITA (literally meaning 'small').
April 24th 1980
Completed all works at Lloyds Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany.
May 2nd 1980
Maiden port of call at anchor in Kristiansand to pick up press for a PR cruise to Norway.
May 3rd 1980
Arrived for maiden port of call in Oslo, Norway.
May 3rd 1980
United Nations flag hoisted by senior steward Wesley Samuels of Jamaica with the presence of His Majesty King Olav V of Norway. The SS Norway is the only passenger vessel ever that has been allowed to fly the UN-flag. To see an image of the auspicious occasion of the first UN-flag hoisting, please >>see this page<< on CaptainsVoyage.com
May 5th 1980 (also May 6th has been found as her departure date, though not confirmed)
Departed Oslo, Norway, bound for Southampton, UK.
May 7th 1980
Stopped at Southampton, UK, before proceeding to cross the Atlantic Ocean. (This date has been confirmed by “Southampton Shipping” by David F Hutchings, Carmania Press, 2006.)
May 16th 1980
SS Norway arrived at New York pier 88.
May 17th 1980 (also May 18th has been quoted as departure date, though, this is not entirely confirmed)
SS Norway departed New York bound for Miami, Florida.
May 18th 1980
The ship was originally intended to sail from New York to Bermuda on a 6-day round trip Inaugural Cruise, but it was cancelled due to plumbing problems and in order to finalize some fitting works.
May 22nd 1980
SS Norway arrived off Miami, Florida, but was prevented from entering harbour due to strong winds.
May 23rd 1980
SS Norway enters Miami for the very first time and docks port side alongside.
May 30th 1980
SS Norway departs on an unofficial sailing from Miami to NCL’s newly acquired “Out Island” to run tests with her two landing crafts. There are also some information that indicates the vessel actually sailed to Little San Salvador. Great Stirrup Cay, a small island in the Berry Islands group, was purchased from Belcher Oil Company in 1977 to be turned into a private cruise island and at the time being readied for the SS Norway. (Confirmation is therefore wanted whether Little San Salvador or Great Stirrup Cay was the destination for this trip, though the latter seems most logical.)
June 1st 1980
SS Norway departs Miami for her maiden voyage inaugural cruise.
August 19th 1980
SS Norway suffers a 20-hour long black out.
May 2nd 1981
The ship experienced a major (electrical break down and?) boiler failure which left the ship adrift 500 miles SE of Miami, with no power for some 24 hours. Several cruises had to be cancelled whilst engineers worked on rectifying the problem. (Further information wanted.)
December 27th 1981
SS Norway suffered a boiler room fire due to a hydraulic fitting failure whilst in Port of Miami.
March 19th 1982
SS Norway experienced a fire caused by a faulty gasket on a lube oil feed pump.
March 7th - April 13th 1982
SS Norway returns to dry dock a month earlier than planned for upgrades and repairs, to Bremerhaven, Germany, at Lloyds Werft. Mainly general maintenance and underwater paint works including works to transfer electrical power supply partly from steam engines. Engine works were quoted at 15 million US$.
1984
SS Norway returns to Scandinavia for a North Cape cruise.
July 30th 1984
SS Norway visits Bergen on a one day visit.
August 4th 1984
SS Norway visits Trondheim, Norway. A giant ships-model of the futuristic cruise vessel Phoenix is flown from SINTEF test lab to the ship by helicopter and is placed on the upper deck behind the aft funnel.
August 9th 1984
SS Norway calls at Oslo, her homeport, Norway.
August 18th 1984
SS Norway calls at Hamburg, Germany (click here to see an image by Andreas Busecke from that day).
September 1984
Following the cruise in September 1984, she sails to Bremerhaven, Germany, for dry docking where all 4 boilers in forward engine room were removed and replaced with electric generators and all electricity transferred from auxiliary machinery to new diesel generators.
March 1st 1987
During a flag change ceremony in Nassau, Bahamas, the Royal Norwegian Post Flag was lowered for the last time and replaced with Bahamian flag. Vessel re-registered into Bahamian Ship Register from LITA to C6CM7. Her two tenders "little Norway 1" and "little Norway 2" received the subsequent registration numbers C6CM8 and C6CM9.
September 9th - 23rd 1987
SS Norway dry docked at Lloyds Werf in Bremerhaven, Germany. Underwent repair works and classification work. Renovated passenger areas such as bars, restaurants and shops and de-luxe suites. Enlarged the on board theater.
September 3rd - October 10th 1990
SS Norway dry docked in Bremerhaven, Germany, for major conversion works. 2 new decks added with 125 new de-luxe suites - Sky and Sun deck - and solid ballast filled in five double bottom tanks as compensation, passenger carrying capacity increased to 2.565 passengers. Classification works. Engine plant amelioration. Renovation of public areas.
September 1993
Dry docking in Newport News, Virginia, USA.
August 31st 1996
SS Norway finishes her one week Caribbean Cruise in Miami, and sets sail for Charleston (S.C.), New York (N.Y.), Le Havre and Southampton. Captain was Haakon Gangdal, Chief Engineer was Steinar Hammervold, Barrie Clarke was Hotel Director and Dottie Kulasa was the Cruise Director. The port call at Charleston was however canceled due to heavy swells. The majority of the passengers embarked at New York, lot of which were French, and on the crossing there were lectures and ship’s tours held in both French and English. The dining rooms also featured special menus every night.
September 10th 1996
SS Norway arrives for the first time in Le Havre since her 1979-departure as the SS France, an estimated one hundred thousand spectators line the beaches and port entrance to welcome the ship. A video from the arrival can be found on youtube in >this clip<, and in >this clip<. When the ship departed in the evening she was honored with a large fireworks display.
September 11th 1996
SS Norway arrives early in the morning at Southampton and all passengers had disembarked by 09:00 hours. Three crew members gets arrested by British Police when cocaine worth 3,2 million NOK is found on board the SS Norway when the ship arrives at Southampton. (Source : Dagbladet, Norway). By 10:30 hours, the Norway was maneuvered into the King George V’s dry dock for her dry docking.
Dry docking in A&P shipyard in Southampton, UK, for rebuilding of stair towers and gift shops to comply with SOLAS 1992 amendments, resolution MSC 24(60) from Bureau Veritas and US Coast Guard NVIC (4-95).
October 6th 1996
The SS Norway departs Southampton and the Solent, one day late, after having been inspected by divers during the night time, and after having loaded onboard some fuel for the crossing.
When back in Miami, her tenders, which had been stored at a local shipyard in Miami, was returned to the ship by First Officer Hans Verschoor and Safety Officer Jan-Olav Storli.
The ship now also sported a new funnel livery (white bottom with a blue top), and an NCL logo painted on the sides at each side. (These logos were removed whilst at anchor in Saint Maarten a few days later).
Her return date to Miami is at this point unclear, as well as the exact date of her first cruise.
Last Update: Wednesday, December 14, 2554
Screendump of picture at Norwegian Seaman’s Church of Miami website.
All above informations as listed above are believed to be correct but not in any way guaranteed. Should you have any additional information, tips, corrections or know of any other items not listed, we wish to hear from you to get this timeline as complete as possible. In advance, we thank you so very much for your help and understanding.
A rare moment in time when both Norway and Queen Elizabeth 2 spends some time together in Port of Miami on November 15th 1997. Photo by Rich Turnwald.
April 18th 1998
SS Norway departs Miami bound for Malaga, Spain.
April 21st 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Saint Maarten, the Netherlands Antilles.
April 28th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Funchal, Madeira, Portugal (08:00 - 16:00)
April 30th 1998
SS Norway finishes her trans-Atlantic at Malaga, Spain (10:00 - 16:00)
May 2nd 1998
SS Norway makes a turnaround stop at Marseilles, France (08:00 - ??)
June 7th 1998
SS Norway makes a turnaround stop at Lisbon, Portugal (?? - 17:00)
June 10th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Ajaccio, Corsica, France (12:00 - 18:00)
June 11th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Genoa, Italy (08:00 - 20:00)
June 12th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Florence, Livorno, Italy (08:00 - 20:00)
June 13th 1998
SS Norway makes an overnight stop at Villefranche, France (13:00 - )
June 14th 1998
SS Norway departs from an overnight stop at Villefranche, France ( - 20:00)
June 16th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Palma, Mallorca, Spain (08:00 - 18:00)
June 17th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Barcelona, Spain (08:00 - 18:00)
June 18th 1998
SS Norway makes a turnaround stop at Marseilles, France (07:00 - ??)
July 8th 1998
SS Norway makes a turnaround stop at Marseilles, France (?? - 17:00)
July 9th 1998
SS Norway makes an overnight stop at Villefranche, France (08:00 - )
July 10th 1998
SS Norway departs from an overnight stop at Villefranche, France ( - 14:00)
July 11th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Barcelona, Spain (09:00 - 17:00)
July 14th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Lisbon, Portugal (08:00 - 20:00)
July 17th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Cork, Ireland (08:00 - 18:00)
July 18th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Waterford, Ireland (08:00 - 18:00)
July 20th 1998
SS Norway makes a turnaround stop at Southampton, United Kingdom (08:00 - ??).
August 11th 1998
SS Norway makes a turnaround stop at Southampton, United Kingdom ( - 17:00)
August 13th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Hamburg, Germany (08:00 - 20:00)
August 15th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Oslo, Norway (08:00 - 18:00)
August 17th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Flaam and Sognefjord, Norway (08:00 - 18:00)
August 18th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Bergen, Norway (08:00 - 18:00)
August 20th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Amsterdam, the Netherlands (08:00 - 20:00)
August 21st 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Le Havre, France (08:00 - 20:00)
August 22nd 1998
SS Norway makes a turnaround overnight stop at Southampton, United Kingdom (07:00 - )
August 23rd 1998
SS Norway departs from an overnight stop at Southampton, United Kingdom ( - 17:00)
August 25th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Amsterdam, the Netherlands (08:00 - 20:00)
August 27th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Invergordon, Scotland (08:00 - 18:00). Please go >here< to see an image taken that day of the ship in Invergordon (the Invergordon Archive).
August 29th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Greenock, Scotland (08:00 - 18:00)
August 31st 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Waterford, Ireland (08:00 - 18:00)
September 1st 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Cork, Ireland (08:00 - 18:00)
September 3rd 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Le Havre, France (08:00 - 20:00)
September 4th 1998
SS Norway makes a turnaround stop at Southampton, United Kingdom (07:00 - 17:00)
September 5th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Cherbourg, France (08:00 - 18:00)
September 7th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop Bordeaux, France (08:00 - 18:00)
September 9th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Cork, Ireland (08:00 - 18:00)
September 10th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Waterford, Ireland (08:00 - 18:00)
September 12th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Le Havre, France (08:00 - 20:00)
September 14th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Amsterdam, the Netherlands (08:00 - 20:00)
September 16th 1998
SS Norway makes a turnaround stop at Southampton, United Kingdom (07:00 - 17:00)
September 19th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Lisbon, Portugal (08:00 - 18:00)
September 21st 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Malaga, Spain (08:00 - 18:00)
September 23rd 1998
SS Norway makes an overnight stop at Villefranche, France (18:00 - )
September 24th 1998
SS Norway departs from an overnight stop at Villefranche, France ( - 20:00)
September 25th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Genoa, Italy (08:00 - 20:00)
September 26th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Livorno, Italy (08:00 - 20:00)
September 28th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Barcelona, Spain (09:00 - 17:00)
September 30th 1998
SS Norway makes a turnaround stop at Civitavecchia, Italy (08:00 - 20:00)
October 1st 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Livorno, Italy (08:00 - 20:00)
October 2nd 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Genoa, Italy (08:00 - 20:00)
October 3rd 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Ajaccio, Corsica (08:00 - 16:00)
October 5th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Ibiza, Spain (08:00 - 18:00)
October 6th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Majorca, Spain (08:00 - 18:00)
October 7th 1998
SS Norway makes an overnight stop at Villefranche, France (18:00 - )
October 10th 1998
SS Norway departs from an overnight stop at Villefranche, France ( - 20:00)
October 12th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Malaga, Spain (08:00 - 18:00)
October 14th 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Funchal, Madeira (12:00 - 18:00)
October 21st 1998
SS Norway makes a stop at Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas, USVI (08:00 - 18:00)
October 24th 1998
SS Norway returns to Miami, Florida (06:00 - )
April 22nd - May 16th 1999
The SS Norway underwent dry docking at Lloyds Werft in Bremerhaven, Germany. General dry docking with repairs and maintenance work including engine works on turbine plant, boilers and propellers. Hotel areas refurbished and competed paint work of underwater hull.
May 28th 1999
The ship suffers from a smaller fire in the aft turbo generator room, near the aft switch board, while entering Barcelona, Spain, and forces the Norway to cancel reminder of cruise (Barcelona was apparently the last stop on this particular cruise). Earlier this cruise, which also were a charter cruise for 1.500 French passengers, the ship had visited ports such as Malaga and Gibraltar. The fire took out power cabling to the port side, and severely damaged generators and switchboard, but was handled within 45 minutes. For the rest of the day, and when passengers returned from shore excursions, they were sent home to France with busses. Two consecutive cruises were canceled as he ship were repaired alongside in Barcelona during the next two weeks.
The repairs was estimated to take 20 days but was completed within 17 days.
Reliable information states that the ship sailed empty (crew only) to Southampton where it took on passengers and resumed cruising.
It was later determined that the cause of the fire was a leaking weld on a high pressure hydraulic line on one of the steam turbine generators. An oil mist sprayed all over the turbine, and instant combustion occurred. (Further information / details is wanted).
June 12th 1999
SS Norway returns to service in Barcelona, Spain. (Further confirmation / details is wanted).
June 25th 1999
SS Norway spends a hot summer day under blue skies in Flåm, Norway (three images: <<1>> <<2>> <<3>>)
July 24th - 25th 1999
SS Norway visited Oslo in connection with Scandinavian Grand Prix - Class 1 world offshore race. To see a VDO clip from the race posted on Youtube.com (<<<click here>>>)
August 5th 1999
SS Norway departs Oslo, Norway, for the very last time in her career.
October 2000
Star Cruises announces that Norway will be relocated to the Asian market after dry docking at end of year.
May 27th - June 3rd 2001
SS Norway is held back in Miami and a cruise is cancelled because of failure to fulfill requirements of US Coast Guard in relation to repairs of the fixed fire sprinkler system.
September 2nd 2001
A farewell trans-Atlantic cruise departs Miami bound for Southampton. Stops on the cruise includes New York, Halifax, Saint John's Newfoundland, Greenock, Dublin, Southampton and Le Havre - Bremerhaven.
September 5th 2001
SS Norway arrives at New York and spends the day there.
September 7th 2001
SS Norway calls at Halifax, Nova Scotia.
September 9th 2001
SS Norway calls at Saint John’s, Newfoundland.
September 14th 2001
SS Norway spends the day at Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland.
September 15th 2001
SS Norway calls at Dublin (Dun Laoghaire), Ireland.
September 17th 2001
SS Norway returns for a one day visit to Le Havre, France
September 18th 2001
SS Norway’s Final Transatlantic Voyage ends in Southampton, UK, when all passengers disembarks.
September 2001
Star Cruises announces at the farewell cruise that Norway will be returning to the Caribbean market starting on December 23rd 2001 following dry docking.
November 19th - 28th 2001
SS Norway in dry dock at Lloyds Werf in Bremerhaven, Germany. Port and starboard side evaporators removed and refitted. Removed starboard tailshaft and refitted spare shaft. Ships hull cleaned and repainted underwater area. Two new rescue boats, one on each side, installed.
December 23rd 2001
SS Norway resumes cruising out of Miami
February 14th 2002
Speculations emerges that the SS Norway will sail under NCL on her last cruise departing December 29th 2002 and be transferred to Orient Lines.
December 25th 2002
NCL has completed a life viability study and found it both economically and technically possible to extend the ship's service to 2010.
May 25th 2003
An explosion in the ships boiler room cripples the ship shortly after arrival Miami after a 7 day Caribbean Cruise.
June 27th 2003
The SS Norway is towed from Miami by dutch tug Smit Wijs Rotterdam. Destination was still not known, but speculations went towards Bremerhaven.
July 21st 2003
NCL announces that the SS Norway will be laid up at Bremerhaven Lloyd Werft until bids for new boilers has been received.
March 17th 2004 (awaiting confirmation on March 23rd for same announcement)
NCL announces that the SS Norway will not return to the North American cruise market and that she will never sail again. They furthermore announced that it had been decided to not re-engine the 42 year old ship due to expenses involved. The company was still continuing to evaluate appropriate options for the vessel. Using the ship as a static hotel vessel was reported being looked into, but not in the United States. She was listed as for sale for $25 million.
January 2004
SS Norway is being used a housing for people working on their new project Pride of America.
February 28th 2005
Tender boats "little Norway I" and "little Norway II" are off loaded for what would be the very last time and docked in front of the ship.
May 23rd 2005
SS Norway departs Bremerhaven under tow early in the morning, destination Singapore or Port Kelang, Malaysia. The tug performing the tow is the 1979-built ocean going tug “De Da” (which also towed the SS Constitution to the breakers but ended up sinking).
June 28th 2005 (also reported to be July 1st at noon)
SS Norway passes under tow Cape Town, South Africa, bound for Asia. “De Da” leaves the ship offshore with the tug “Smit Amandala”, while “De Da” pulls into port to take on fuel and stores.
July 2nd 2005
Tug “De Da” departs Cape Town port and resumes the towing voyage.
August 10th 2005 (also reported to be on August 13th in the afternoon)
SS Norway anchors off Port Kelang in Malaysia at noon. Position N 02 degrees 49' 22" E 101 degrees 13' 33".
August 2005
Indian scrap merchants arrives to evaluate the ship for scrapping.
December 28th 2005
SS Norway is reported sold to Bangladeshi scrap merchants for the price of $25 million.
January 6th 2006
SS Norway reported heading for scrap merchants in Bangladesh.
Late January 2006
The sale of the ship is cancelled as either no cash came on the table at purchase, or as Malaysian government forbid the sale due to a clause in a contract when the ship was towed from Bremerhaven stating that the ship was not to be sent to scrappers because of hazardous materials on board such as asbestos. An image of the ship emerges with the name “Norway” painted out, and with “Blue Lady” added by stencils. Her golden letters between the funnels had been removed and the NCL markings on the funnels were painted over.
February 2006:
Bangladesh refuses the vessel to enter its waters for scrapping as the ship had been deemed “too toxic”. Bangladesh scrappers halts all negotiations to obtain the ship.
March 2006:
New rumors emerged that she had once again been sold to scrappers: no details or confirmations on which scrapper had purchased the ship.
May 5th 2006
The Blue Lady is towed from the roads of Port Kelang with a 33-persons scrap-crew from India on board by tugboats "Seaways 5" and "Intersurf" with destination cleared out for Dubai, UAE. The tugs are operated by Mubarak Marine in Dubai.
June 13th 2006
It is rumored that the Blue Lady is towed towards Fujairah, UAE.
June 14th 2006
The tug towing the ship, the “Seaways 5”, pulls into Fujairah, UAE, for repairs and supplies.
June 16th 2006
Blue Lady is expected to arrive at Alang by end of June.
June 17th 2006
Blue Lady is said to be departing Fujairah, UAE, bound for Alang under tow by “Seaways 5”. Last minute plans to save the vessel spreads like wildfire through the internet.
Beginning of June 2006 (not confirmed - ??)
Vessel anchors 120 miles from Indian territorial waters awaiting permission to enter, in order for authorities to come on board to inspect her and make a decision whether to permit her scrapping in at Alang beach or not.
June 24th 2006
Press reports Blue Lady arriving off Alang in a few days time.
June 26th 2006
Blue Lady, due at Alang is rumored to be delayed due to technical problems on the tug which is making the tow. New arrival rumored in two weeks time.
June 28th 2006
Gulf newspaper Khaleeji Times reports on their front page that “Dubai bid to save historic cruise liner”. A group of investors has according to the article offered to buy the ship from the Indian scrappers, letting them make a $3 million profit over the profit of scrapping. The investors intend to spend another $100-120 million to refit the ship into a luxury floating hotel and conference center moored in Dubai port.
June 30th 2006 (also reported to have taken place on July 7th)
SS Blue Lady anchors off Pipavav Port, Saurashtra coast of Gujarat awaiting clearance to proceed to Alang Beach
August 15th 2006
SS Blue Lady semi beached at Alang beach, plot number 1, with the help of two tugs. Stern anchor was lost in the attempt. Vessel sits dry by the bow on low tide and merely floats at high tide.
August 16th 2006
Vessel secured with 5 cable wires and anchors.
End of week 34 (@ August 25th) 2006
Customs inspection of the SS Blue Lady completed. Vessel is without power and lightening. All tanks on board opened and in progress of being emptied of whatever contents, in example diesel.
Week 36 (@ September 4th) 2006
Vessel owner signs contracts for sale of some of the ship's interiors to a handful of buyers, including some larger International companies and a French museum. Price being quoted in per tons for most items but per item for more historical items.
September 5th 2006
Indian Supreme Court announces that a decision on whether to allow scrapping SS Blue Lady at Alang will not be taken before December 2006.
September 8th 2006
Vessel inched closer to the beach by help of wires and pull winches, pulling her in a zig-zag motion up the sloped beach.
Mid-November 2006
Ship reported to be pulled even closer to the beach.
December 4th 2006
Indian Supreme Court were to decide whether the Blue Lady could be dismantled at Alang Beach or not. The Indian Supreme Court chose to delay the court decision until March 2007. The Indian Supreme Court also stated that nothing were to be removed from the ship.
January 2007
Rumors that a report had been put forward indicating that the Blue Lady had suffered severe hull damage and that the ship can not be safely removed from Alang Beach. The report was then confirmed to be originating from vessel's owner - the breaker.
March 2007
The Indian courts ordered a study to be carried out to determine whether the neglected hull could be environmentally dismantled or not.
May 15th 2007
Permission given by Indian Supreme Court to remove all oils from the vessel which is still beached at Alang.
June 7th 2007
Indications surface that all negotiations have faltered and that the fight is now over, there are no longer any interested parties willing to accept the financial responsibility and risk of re-floating, refurbishing and re-launching such a gigantic project.
July 25th 2007
Final decision expected by Indian Supreme Court whether to allow the break up of the vessel or not (-and site owners birthday). A new attempt by environmental organizations intended to delay her scrapping emerged: it was stated that all the fire detectors throughout the ship posed a radio active hazard as all the detectors contained a small radioactive amount. Interiors of the ship reported to be plagued with severe mold.
September 11th 2007
Permission is finally given by the Indian Supreme Court (Indian APEX) that dismantling of the “Blue Lady” at Alang could be done. The ships fate is sealed.
December 2007
While a new court order is pending, an image of the ship is posted at midshipcentury showing her bow snipped off, a sign of imminent dismantling. In addition to the missing tip of the bow, the image of the ship’s port side shows that all the lifeboats have been removed. The ship is well out of the water and both port side stabilizators and bilge keel is clearly visible, and out of the water. Though the image posted is of small size and a larger has not been possible to study (not available from site owner), the port main propeller seems to having been already removed. Open shell-doors on port side appears to be Biscayne Deck; forward midships and aft, Norway Deck; forward luggage door, forward landing, midships landing and the aft luggage door. On the Pool deck, two of the forward windows in stateroom P-094 appears to be cut out, together with the two forward-most windows of North Cape Lounge. On International Deck the lifeboat embarkation doors of lifeboat stations 12, 14, 16 and 24 are open. Also plating above the davits of lifeboat 12 seems removed.
January 21st 2008
A new image from Alang is publicized at midshipscentury. In this new image, the dismantling has already come a long way. The satellite dome on top of forward funnel is gone, together with the entire Star Deck and the iconic forward main mast, forward Sun deck and Sky Deck, apart from the window frames of Sky Deck staterooms. All the plexiglass windows on Sky Deck suites appears to be removed and a cut is also visible on Olympic Deck, most likely in the officers cabin section immediately behind the Officer Dayroom. Also on Fjord Deck, the bulkhead of Fjord-042 appears cut open. On Olympic Deck, the raft stations are removed together with the lifeboat davits of lifeboats 6 to 10 (aft davit of lifeboat ten still visible). Two additional lifeboat embarkation doors on International Deck have been opened: stations 8 and 10. On Pool deck, there are now holes where staterooms Pool 066 and Pool 068 used to be. One deck beneath, there are holes in the ship side in the vicinity of staterooms Viking 102, Viking 108 and Viking 126 (third stateroom in front of the opulent Viking 140 suite). On Norway Deck, Norway 098 and Norway 142 appears to having been cut open. On Atlantic Deck, two new holes are cut in the area of both Windward and Leeward Dining Rooms.
February 8th 2008
New image from Alang indicates that a new hole has been cut on port side forward, Caribbean Deck just forward of the Biscayne Deck shell door above. More of the superstructure from the 1990-conversion has been demolished and she now starts to appear similarly to her pre-1990 shape. All of the Sky Deck is gone, only the window frames of the pool area midships stands, and the midships satellite dome on top of stair tower 3 is also gone.
March 4th 2008
In the March 4th image at midshipscentury, the bridge window frames stand alone, with all of the radio station dismantled and forward Fjord Deck gone. Also a lrge part of the Olympic Deck officers cabins has been gashed out, and the top of stair tower 3 is opened. Only a few of the lifeboat davits remain, and on the bow, port side tender davits are gone together with a part of the hull where the name Norway used to be displayed. Also the plate on the stern where the name of the ship was located, appears to have been cut out. On Fjord Deck, two more stateroom bulkheads have been cut open.
April 4th 2008
A new image of the Blue Lady appears. Now, the entire forward part of Fjord Deck and the Olympic Deck officers cabins have been cut away. The starboard side tender davits are gone and the window frames in midships pool area have been reduced only to a few windows. The forward part of the forward funnel appears cut.
April 20th 2008
Since last image of the Blue Lady was posted, the forward half of the forward funnel is missing, cut all the way down to Olympic Deck. Boats is seen in the water around the stern. A new hole is seen on Atlantic Deck, possible in stateroom Atlantic 040.
May 9th 2008
In the May 9th image posted in the same website, a large part of the hull plating beneath the tender deck down to Biscayne Deck is missing, together with the entire forward funnel, the bridge wing and Olympic Deck forward. Large pieces/sections of the blue tender deck (?) is seen in the water besides the ship. Another large section is seen in front of the bow, possibly being pulled ashore.
May 12th 2008
A new image is posted with a large square section missing in the hull plating aft: it appears to be a part from International deck to Atlantic Deck, immediately beneath where lifeboat stations 22 and 24 used to be located.
June 11th 2008
Dismantling has clearly progressed since last posted image: a larger section of the hull plating aft has been removed together with a larger piece of the hull plating under the location of the forward funnel’s location, down to Norway Deck.
July 4th 2008
Probably one of the very last images of the ship is posted on midshipcentury and shows the ship missing her entire bow section and everything above Biscayne deck from forward to midships. Her aft funnel stands morbidly tall above a section immediately below which has so far been kept. The stern is gone and and the two deck tall windows of Club International is clearly visible from the beach.
August 14th 2008
A new image is posted on midshipscentury: adn image which shows the ship without her stern, the Club International, the Fjord Deck and with the entire Olympic Deck missing. Standing tall on the stern section, her aft funnel still intact.
September 13th 2008
Rumors spread from India that everything above Biscayne deck and some parts of Biscayne deck have been completely demolished and removed.
September 14th 2008
A new image is publicized and shows the ship now without her aft funnel. The highest deck now, is a small part of International Deck. Stern and bow is missing and just in front of the Biscayne Deck forward shell door a large hole can be seen all the way through the other side: possibly with the forward engine room visible.
November 15th 2008
What is probably one of the final images of the Blue Lady is posted at midshipcentury and shows the ship stripped down to only contain parts from Atlantic Deck and down to the keel. The majority of her 48 square meter rudder is out of the water, and the aft propeller is missing. The stabilizers can still be seen retracted in their pockets. Only a tiny piece of her Norway blue hull can be seen, part of Caribbean and Biscayne Deck.
December 29th 2008
A new final image of the SS Blue Lady is posted on midshipscentury. The only visible remains of the once glorious ship is the two starboard side propeller shafts, her bilge keel, and a three deck tall structure immediately above the forward propeller shaft. Also one of her stabilizers are visible in the image. After one year of dismantling, she is now almost gone.
Early 2009
During early 2009 the last pieces of one of the greatest liners ever made by mankind, gets hauled out of the water and onto the beach, and the ship only lives on in the memory of those that sailed on her, those that worked on her and those that so dearly loved her.
November 20th 2011
Long after the last steel that once formed the great liner were cut and hauled ashore at Alang, the Norwegian Seaman’s Church in Miami, Florida, opened it’s doors. The center was officially opened by HRH Crown Princess Mette Marit of Norway this day, and featured one of the glass murals that once hung in the chapel of SS France. The glass murals had up until the 1990 drydock been in it’s place on board, behind a protective cover (in the chapel of SS France, a room that was used as entertainers dressing room on the SS Norway). Following the 1990 drydock the glass mural had been safely in storage at a Miami warehouse. NCL graciously donated the mural to the church, bringing it out in the light again.
Visit the website of Norwegian Seaman’s Church in Miami >here<, while a direct link to the photo of the murals can be found >here<.
SS Norway preparing for her first cruise from Miami after the 1996 dry dock.
