Flash Back - One of My Favorite Ships - French Line's ss France.



French Line's SS France (shown) Later Became Norwegian Cruise Line's Norway
French Line's SS France (shown) Later Became Norwegian Cruise Line's Norway
Originally built in 1962 for the French Line, the futuristic liner ss France was the longest liner of the day, measuring 1,032 feet and weighing 66,000 tons. The elegant 3 class ship had her trademark majestic winged funnels; elegant furnishing and white glove service.

A victim of many strikes by the seaman union; the increased popularity of air travel; and mounting losses due to increased fuel prices, fuel hungry engines and low passenger counts. The ss France was laid up in 1974 awaiting a buyer.

The ship was eventually purchase by Norwegian Cruise Line, who renamed her Norway and brought her to Bremerhaven, Germany for an extensive conversion to a 1 class cruise liner. Totally refitted from stem to stem the ship reemerged as the Norway with all cabin remodeled, all public rooms renovated, an extensive platform lido area was place on the stern ideal for her new role as a Caribbean Cruise ship.

The Norway sailed numerous years for Norwegian Cruise Line, occasionally visiting New York for a repositioning cruise, enorute to a European Season or enroute to Europe for additional refits by European German Shipyard.

On February 2, 2015 - while pulling into Miami, one of the Norway's boilers malfunctioned and exploded killing 4 crew and injuring 12 others. Beyond economic repair, the Norway sat in Miami for months, until the port of Miami expressed concerns over the pending hurricane season.

Norwegian Cruise Line has the ship towed to Germany where she sat tied up to a pier in Bremerhaven awaiting next steps. After years in Germany, it was announce that the Norways was being towed to the Far East for used under Genting International (part owner of Norwegian Cruise Line). Although she was towed to Asia, she was eventually towed to Alang, India for scrapping.

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