June 1979
the sophisticated,
elegant French grand dame entered a new guise when
she was sold to the Oslo-based
KlostersRederi A/S, one of
Norway's
oldest and most respected shipping firms. Renamed SS Norway she was converted to become the largest
cruise ship of her time. Many thought that she was too large to
be a cruise ship and many felt that the cruise industry was dwindling. How
wrong they were, SS Norway started a new wave of interest in cruising.
Above and below: SS
Norway seen in her new Guise as a fine Cruise Ship
With her fine heritage and size SS Norway became the most
popular cruise ships sailing out of Florida.
Her success was so great, other companies realised this market would be
profitable and placed their ships in the US
market. A wealthy American, Mr. Mickey Arison set up a new cruise company,
Carnival Cruises, and marketed it to Mr and Mrs average
and the younger market. It was a great success, and today, Carnival Corp, owns
more that half of the cruise companies, including the famed Cunard, HollandAmerica,
P&O, etc.
SS Norway in the Blohm Voss Dry-Dock #II
Photo from the J& J Larsen
photo collection
www.merchantshipphotos.de
During her refit, two propellers and four boilers were
removed, reducing Norway’s
top speed from a maximum of 35 knots down to around 25 knots. Her interiors saw
many changes made and she would now successfully serve as a one-class cruise
ship. Upon completion, she operated a varietyof cruises from Miami,
including those to the owner’s private islands in the Cayman Islands.
SS Norway seen prior her massive 1990 rebuilding
Photo from the J& J Larsen
photo collection
www.merchantshipphotos.de
A further series of major refits
and she was dramatically rebuilt, which changed her appearance greatly, as well
as her tonnage. During September and October 1990 two additional decks were
added atop the Norway,
which added 135 luxury cabins and suites.
Ship lovers worldwide criticised
the addition of these two decks. Although still an attractive ship, she looked
top heavy! However, in spite of this SS Norway always remained a grand and an
imposing sight.
Norway received additional refits in 1993 and 1996 in
order to comply with the new SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) regulations. These upgrades would allow her to continue cruising well
into the future. Thankfully her funnels had been repainted, taken on the new
NCL livery with a dark blue funnel with a gold NCL logo, which was a vast
improvement.
Specifications SS Norway
Tonnage:76,049
GRT
Passengers:2,032
(twin basis)
2,370
(all berths)
Crew:875
Photo Album -
Part One
As the Norway
she gained a more modern look internally, as seen here in the Dazzles Disco
The glass dance floor in the
background was built on top the former aft pool.
The
Classic Glass enclosed Promenade Deck
Seen
from the entrance of Café de Paris
-The entrance to Club
Internationale and seating on
Being
a steam ship Norway
became expensive to operate, however NCL was taken over by the Malaysian
Genting Casino Corporation Star Cruises, who decided to keep her in operation
due to her massive popularity and loyal following. In 1999, Norway experienced a
turbo-charger fire as she entered Barcelona,
which put her out of action for three weeks.
A stern view of the Norway
revealing the aft extensions to her decks
On May 25, 2003,
having docked at 5.00 am in Miami,
the Norway
was severely damaged by a boiler explosion at 6.30 am. Seven lives were lost as
well as seventeen injured. None of the passengers were affected. On June 27, 2003,
NCL/Star decided to relocate SS Norway. She departed Miami
under tow, although at first NCL/Star refused to announce her destination.
However, she headed for Europe and eventually arrived in Bremerhaven
on September 23, 2003.
Soon NCL/Star announced that boiler parts were available to repair her, and to
build a new boiler was out of question.
SS
Norway departs Miami under tow
Provided by Smit Wijs - International Tug company
On March 17, 2004,
Colin Veitch Chairman of NCL announced that the “Norway would not return to
“North American cruise duties,” however, he stated that NCL/Star
“will continue to evaluate appropriate options for the vessel,”
however the Norway
had “been officially removed from the NCL fleet.”
The decision to remove her from the NCL fleet she remained berthed in Bremerhaven until 2005, when she was towed to
Port Klang Malaysia.
Star Cruises said that she would remain in use, either as a static Casino in Singapore,
or on short overnight casino cruises, although at a slow speed on her remaining
boiler
However, in December that year, Star Cruises sold her to a Bangladeshi (Liberian registered) breaker who renamed her Blue Lady after which she
headed off to be broken up but was soon stopped due to a massive outcry by her
loyal followers as well as Greenpeace, who protested regarding the huge amount
of asbestos onboard. Apparently, Greenpeace claimed that she sailed to Malaysia illegally due to
some asbestor law, and that all asbestos should have
been removed prior her departure for Asia.
SS Blue Lady was forced to return to Port Klang and was anchored just outside
the port, where she remains today (May 7, 2006).
Above
we see SS Norway anchored off Port Klang. In December 2005, her
name painted out and her new name Blue Lady stencilled above. We can also see
that her large tenders, originally located on her foredeck have been removed,
as has much of her fine furnishings and other
fittings. Star/NCL will use some items on some of their other cruise ships.
The
next page will have the Norway Photo Album Part Two, as well as SS Norway at
Port Klang, her renaming, and the underhanded disposal of the ship by Star
Cruises to the breakers.
PLEASE NOTE: I receive
hundreds of requests for Passenger Lists and Sailing Schedules. I hereby
wish to advise that I am unable to assist due to time restrains and as most
shipping companies have long gone these lists/schedules are no longer
available. I regret to advise that any request for these will no longer be
answered.
Photographs on
ssMaritime and associated cruise sites are 1. By the author.
2. From the author’s private collection.3. As provided by Shipping
Companies and private photographers. Credit is given to all contributors.
However, there are some photographs sent to us without details of the
photographer/owners concerned. We would therefore appreciate if owners of these
photographs would make themselves known to me, that due credit may be given.
