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2010 CHOICE FOR BEST HOTEL IN BERLIN – THE RITZ-CARLTON.

January 1, 2010 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

“Never say no when a client asks for something, even if it is the moon. You can always try, and anyhow there is plenty of time afterwards to explain that it was not possible.”

César Ritz (23 February 1850 – 24 October 1918) the famous Swiss hotelier and founder of several hotels, most famously the Hôtel Ritz, in Paris and The Ritz Hotel in London. His nickname was “king of hoteliers, and hotelier to kings,” and it is from his name and that of his hotels that the term ritzy derives. His legacy lives on with the Ritz-Carlton Hotels Chain.

HAPPY NEW YEAR – 2010 Choice: The best hotel in Berlin: the Ritz-Carlton.

Happy New Year from Cruising The Past —- We begin 2010 by confirming our choice for the best hotel in Berlin – the Ritz Carlton.

Celebrating a Berlin New Year, we are staying at the Ritz-Carlton. This is a great way to relieve the grand manner of five star service once found on the great German trans-Atlantic liners… operated by North German Lloyd and the Hamburg-America Line.

Berlin’s Ritz-Carlton is under the superb and meticulous direction of General Manager Robert Petrovic. This deluxe hotel is located near what was formerly a section of The Berlin Wall. It is in the center of the new Berlin. It is also the choice of world famous celebrities. The five star plus hotel offers 303 rooms, 40 suites, and The Ritz-Carlton Apartment as well as The Ritz-Carlton Club. Besides providing the utmost in comfort – the Ritz offers the kind of elegant service and cuisine that is so rare today. Trip Advisor gives the hotel a very high rating – one of the best in Berlin.

The staff exhibits the service once found in the great palace hotels of Europe and the fabulous Trans-Atlantic German liners of the 1930s. The TS Bremen and TS Europa were Germany’s fabulous ocean liners built for the Norddeutscher Lloyd line (NDL) in 1929 for the transatlantic passenger service. These fabulous German ships offered great service from New York to Europe. They also featured a unique a la carte restaurants operated by César Ritz.

THE SS EUROPA and CELEBRITIES WHO CROSSED THE POND ABOARD THE GREAT GERMAN LINER – FROM SCHIAPARELLI TO RIEFENSTAHL

October 29, 2009 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

1930s – THE SS EUROPA and CELEBRITIES WHO CROSSED THE POND – GERMAN DIRECTOR LENI RIEFENSTAHL FOUND THE EUROPA A GREAT WAY TO VISIT THE USA.

THE EUROPA

The SS Europa (later the French Line SS Liberté) was one of a pair of fast ocean liners built in the late nineteen-twenties for the Norddeutsche Lloyd line (NDL) for the transatlantic passenger service. Her sister ship was the Bremen, and the two were very similar, though not identical. The German Director Leni Riefenstahl found it the only way to cross the Atlantic.

German Director Leni Riefenstahl – Original caption: 11/4/1938-New York, New York- Leni Riefenstahl, Naziland’s film queen, greets America with a big smile upon arriving on the S.S. Europa.

Leni Riefenstahl Sits on Ships Railing – Original caption: 11/4/1938- New York, NY- Leni Riefenstahl, 27-year-old Queen of German Cinema and a reported favorite of Adolf Hitler, as she arrived in New York, Nov. 4, on the S.S. Europa. Photo shows her posed on the ships railing.

Europa was built in 1929 with her sister ship Bremen to be the second 50,000 gross tons North German Lloyd liner. With both ships, the NDL will reach the top class shipping company of Atlantic traffic once more.

Europa and her slightly larger sister were designed to have a cruising speed of 27.5 knots, allowing an Atlantic crossing time of 5 days. This enabled Norddeutsche Lloyd to run regular weekly crossings with two ships, a feat that normally required three.

Evangelist Aimee Semple – Original caption: Mrs. Aimee Semple McPherson noted Los Angeles Evangelist looking as fashionable as ever as she arrives on the S.S. Europa after a tour of the Holy Lands.

The SS CAP NORTE – the German liner captured by the HMS BELFAST at the beginning of WW 2

October 11, 2009 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

SS Cap Norte – the German liner captured by the HMS BELFAST at the beginning of WW 2.

Cruising the Past – Cruise History – 70 years ago this week, during the first weeks of World War 2, the HMS Belfast captured the Hamburg South America liner SS Cap Norte.

SS Cap Norte

The above is the front and back of a postcard sent from South America to Germany in September 1939, from the CAP NORTE just days before the war started.

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Filed Under: GERMAN LINERS, STEAMSHIP LINES Tagged With: hamburg south america line, hms belfast, ss cap norte, war 1939

THE FRENCH LINE – SS LIBERTE – 1950s

October 8, 2009 By Michael L. Grace 1 Comment

Cruising the past: The SS Europa was the pride of Norddeutscher Lloyd Line in the 1930s. She was the sister ship of the SS Bremen.

Sadly the Second World War caused an end to her years in German hands and she was handed to the French as war reparations.

As SS Liberte, the ship became the stop gap flagship for CGT French Line as a replacement for the legendary SS Normandie that had been lost during the Second World War.

She was transformed into the pride of France and finally was retired in 1961 after serving two great nations.

THE FRENCH LINE – SS LIBERTE – 1950s – Here are some wonderful vintage home movies shot aboard a crossing on the Liberte. The photographer even tried to shoot a few poorly lit interiors.

The French Line’s Liberte.

Snaphots of two women passengers aboard the Liberte.

SS LIBERTE (formerly the German liner EUROPE)

If the time before the Second World War is indexed within the annals of history for its aspirations of achievement and advancement of technology and design, then, the period following the great turmoil should be looked upon as a testament to the longevity of that vision and drive.

In the frenzy and misery which is war, the great passenger fleets of the Atlantic trade were reduced to a mere ghostlike representation of life before the War. The superliners of the decade before, the Normandie, the Rex, and their brethren lay in ruin. The few great ships which survived for the duration found themselves sorely lacking in competition and silently alone on the vast expanses of the Atlantic seas.

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Filed Under: FRENCH LINE, FRENCH STEAMSHIP AND CRUISE LINES, GERMAN LINERS Tagged With: 1950s, europa, FRENCH LINE, french liners, GERMAN LINERS, james thurber, Liberte, manhattan, New York, past, retro, Sarah Vaughn, w.e.b.dubois

Social History: HOTEL ADLON Kempinski – the finest hotel in BERLIN. One of the great hotels of the world. Berlin was a port of call by train in 1929 — after sailing from New York to Germany aboard the SS BREMEN.

January 27, 2009 By Michael L. Grace

great youTUBE video of Berlin in 1929 with views for the Hotel Adlon…

Sailing in the 1920s to Germany from New York on the SS Bremen was very popular. Upon arrival, tourists enjoyed a quick train ride from Hamburg to Berlin and then accommodations at the world famous Adlon Hotel in Europe’s favorite destination in the 1920s.

Hotel Adlon in 1928…

Located in the very heart of Berlin, right by the Brandenburg Gate and in the immediate vicinity of the Reichstag, which houses the German Parliament, one of the world’s most illustrious luxury hotels in all its majestic splendor cordially welcomes its guests: not only is the Hotel Adlon a legend in its own time, it was – just like the famous Pariser Platz on which it is built – a witness of Germany’s eventful and turbulent history of the 20th century.

SS Bremen leaving New York in the 1930s…

When the Adlon was opened for the first time in 1907, the builder and visionary Lorenz Adlon gladly fulfilled the wish of Wilhelm II, who was the German emperor at that time and had urgently wanted a stately hotel in his town of residence. Due to the Hotel’s unparalleled luxuries and its unique equipment of the highest standards of technology, political leaders and celebrities soon made the Hotel Adlon their hotel of choice in Germany.

College students heading to Berlin and the Hotel Adlon having sailed from New York to Hamburg on the SS Bremen…

The Adlon was one of the most famous hotels in Europe between the two World Wars and hosted celebrities including Louise Brooks, Charlie Chaplin, Herbert Hoover, Josephine Baker and Marlene Dietrich.

It was also a favourite hangout of journalists, being located in the heart of the government quarter next to the British Embassy, on the same square as the French and American Embassies and only blocks from the Chancellery and other government ministries.

Luckily, the Hotel survived the Second World War without any major damage.

In 1945, however, a devastating fire raged and almost entirely destroyed the magnificent building. In accordance with a resolution made by the GDR’s National Council of Defense, the surviving wing of the building was demolished in 1984.

Hotel Adlon today…

After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany, the people in the reunified city of Berlin soon refused to be without their legendary hotel, and a few years later, in 1997, Roman Herzog, who was then the president of the Federal Republic of Germany, reopened the new Hotel Adlon in a splendid ceremony. Since that day the truly “best hotel in town” has rejoiced in its past and present splendor and fame.

Contact the Hotel Adlon by clicking here.

Filed Under: GERMAN LINERS, HAMBURG AMERICA LINE, HOTELS, NORDDEUTSCHE LLOYD LINE, NORTH GERMAN LLOYD, STEAMSHIP LINES Tagged With: Berlin, germany, Great Hotels, Hotel Adlon, nazi, SS Bremen, world war 2

Cruise History: Michael L. Grace’s story on the RMS EMPRESS OF JAPAN – Canadian Pacific’s “Blue Ribbon Holder” – The fastest ship on the Pacific and a liner with four life’s. From Empress of Japan to World War 2 vessel to Empress of Scotland to the Hanseatic.

August 4, 2008 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

More wonderful moments in cruise line and cruise ship history. The RMS Empress of Japan had four life’s. First as the trans-Pacific record holder liner, then serving during World War 2, followed by being renamed the Empress of Scotland on the trans-Atlantic run and then finally sailing under the German flag. It was ironic, the allied ship used during WW 2 to fight the Nazis, was sold to Hamburg America Line and rebuilt as the Hanseatic for cruise and trans-Atlantic service.

Canadian Pacific 1938 Travel Magazine advertisement.

1930—1942: RMS Empress of Japan
The Empress of Japan carried out her sea trial successfully in May 1930, achieving a top speed of 23 knots; and on June 8, 1930, she was delivered to Vancouver for service on the trans-Pacific route. In this period, she was the fastest ocean liner on the Pacific. Due to being a part of Canadian Pacific’s service carrying Royal Mail, the Empress of Japan carried the RMS (Royal Mail Ship) prefix in front of her name while in commercial service with Canadian Pacific. She would continue sailing the Vancouver-Yokohama-Kobe-Shanghai-Hong Kong route for the rest of the decade. Amongst her celebrity passengers were a number of American baseball all-stars, including Babe Ruth, who sailed aboard the Empress of Japan in October 1934 en route to Japan. The outbreak of war in Europe caused the Empress of Japan to be re-fitted for wartime service. Following the Japanese attacks on the Empire outposts in the Far East in December 1941, the name of the ship needed to be named. In 1942, she was renamed the Empress of Scotland.

Piper and passengers aboard the RMS Empress of Scotland as the ship approaches a UK port.

1942—1958: Empress of Scotland

Following the end of World War II, the Empress of Scotland was needed to meet the newly developing demands for trans-Atlantic passenger service. In the period between 1948 and 1950, she was rebuilt at Fairfield in Glasgow. These modifications were necessary to better meet weather conditions on the colder Atlantic route. This extensive re-fitting included a radical reconfiguration of her cabins from the original four classes to just two — first and tourist.

Hanseatic approaching New York City.

1958—1966: Hanseatic
Following her sale to Hamburg Atlantic Line in 1958, the ship was radically rebuilt to meet the expanding market for trans-Atlantic passenger service. The ship’s superstructure and funnels were rebuilt and her passenger accommodations were re-configured. The vessel emerged as the 30,030 GRT SS Hanseatic. The re-named and re-flagged ship was designed to carry as many 1350 passengers in comfortable luxury on the Hamburg-New York route. In 1955 the ship was destroyed by fire in New York City harbor and subsequently scrapped.

Hanseatic youTUBE video of a 1960 NASSAU CRUISE.

Filed Under: CANADIAN PACIFIC LINES, GERMAN LINERS, HAMBURG AMERICA LINE, STEAMSHIP LINES, VIDEOS Tagged With: cruise history: canadian pacific, CRUISE LINE HISTORY, cruise ship history, empress of japan, empress of scotland, HAMBURG AMERICA LINE, hanseatic, trans-atlantic, trans-pacific

Cruise Ship History – The great ocean liners are now just memories on films. From Cunard Line to the French Line these great youTUBE videos from newsreel footage and home movies keep the memories alive!

July 27, 2008 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

Cruise Ship History – The great ocean liners are now just memories on films. From Cunard Line to the French Line these great youTUBE videos from newsreel footage and home movies keep the memories alive!

Filed Under: CUNARD LINE, FRENCH LINE, GERMAN LINERS, UNITED STATES LINE, VIDEOS, WHITE STAR - CUNARD LINE Tagged With: , atlantic, blue ribband, BOOKS, CRUISE LINE HISTORY, cruise ship history, FRENCH LINE, John Maxtone-Graham, liners, ship buffs, ss normandie, Steamships, super-liner

Cruise Ship History – First Class Luncheon Menu aboard the SS Bremen in 1932 – “crossing the pond” from New York to Europe in style …

July 10, 2008 By Michael L. Grace 1 Comment

Luncheon a la Carte – in 1932

Norddeutsche Lloyd Line (NDL) steamship offered its first class passengers enroute from New York to Europe a gastronomical feast.

Here is the luncheon menu aboard the super liner SS Bremen in 1932.

From Eclairs Duchesse to Bananas Orientale.

And remember this is for luncheon!

For additional information click here and please visit the Gjenvick-Gjønvik Archives. We credit their excellent website and it is worth visiting for those looking into passenger lists from the early years of immigrant and trans-Atlantic travel along with terrific steamship historical information.

Hors d’Oeuvre:

Melon Cocktail with Curacao

Eclairs Duchesse

Chicken Salad with Celery

Tomato Ravigote

Neuenahr Smoked Beef

Georgette Salad

Eggs Ecarlate

Kiel Buecking

Tunny in Oil

Royans Bordelaise

Mackerel in Tomato Sauce

Antipasto soprana

Herb Sardines

Fillets of Smoked Herring

Herring Suédoise

Paupiettes of Anchovies

Smoked Sardines in Oil

Bismarck Herring

Anchovies Norvegienne

Mackerel in Oil

Cold Dishes:

Eel in Wine Jelly

Sirloin of Beef Macédoine

Noix of Veal – Gracia Salad

Brisolette with Piccalilly

Duckling, Apple Sauce

Styrian Capon – Julienne of Pineapple

Smoked Westphalian Ham

Boiled Prague Ham

Choice of Sausage

Soups:

Cream Soup Mogador

Consommé Printaniere

Okra Soup Creole

French Onion Soup

Eggs:

Omelet Salvator

Poached Eggs Halevy

Fish:

Broiled English Codfish, Herb Butter

Fillet of Haff Zander St. Valery

Entrées:

Crépinettes St. Hubert

Braised Tenderloin of Beef „London House”

Blanquette of Lamb Tongue with Truffled Rice

Marrow Bones en Serviette – Brown Bread Toast

From the Grill (about 15 Minutes):

Chicken on Toast

Rumpsteak, Shallot Butter

Home-made Sausage, Robert Sauce

Salads:

Lettuce, Potato, Field, Tomato

Dressings: Thousand Islands, French, Plaza, Chive

Vegetables:

Buttered Green Corn

New Carrots Vichy

Stuffed Zucchettini

Red Cabbage with Chestnuts

Creamed Flageolet Beans

New Green Peas

Tomato Marseillaise

Steamed Rice

Potatoes:

Baked Idaho, Fried sweet, Vauban, French fried, Boiled new, Béchamel, Strasbourg

Sweets and Compote:

St. Honoré Cake

Crepe Georgette

Rice Trauttmansdorff

Bananas Orientale

Preserved Pears

Mixed Compote

Compote of Fresh Fruit

Ice-Cream:

French Vanilla Ice-Cream,

Wafers

Hazelnut Ice-Cream,

Friandises

Cheese:

Gournay, Swiss, Edam, Demi Gervais, Cheddar, Romatour, Pot Cheese with Cumin

Fruit in Season –

Demi Tasse

Sanka Demi Tasse

Tea

Filed Under: GERMAN LINERS, NORDDEUTSCHE LLOYD LINE, STEAMSHIP LINES Tagged With: , BREMEN, CRUISE LINE HISTORY, cruise ship history, liners, LUNCH MENU, NORTH GERMAN LLOYD, Steamships, super-liner

2010 CHOICE FOR BEST HOTEL IN BERLIN – THE RITZ-CARLTON.

THE SS EUROPA and CELEBRITIES WHO CROSSED THE POND ABOARD THE GREAT GERMAN LINER – FROM SCHIAPARELLI TO RIEFENSTAHL

The SS CAP NORTE – the German liner captured by the HMS BELFAST at the beginning of WW 2

THE FRENCH LINE – SS LIBERTE – 1950s

Social History: HOTEL ADLON Kempinski – the finest hotel in BERLIN. One of the great hotels of the world. Berlin was a port of call by train in 1929 — after sailing from New York to Germany aboard the SS BREMEN.

Cruise History: Michael L. Grace’s story on the RMS EMPRESS OF JAPAN – Canadian Pacific’s “Blue Ribbon Holder” – The fastest ship on the Pacific and a liner with four life’s. From Empress of Japan to World War 2 vessel to Empress of Scotland to the Hanseatic.

Cruise Ship History – The great ocean liners are now just memories on films. From Cunard Line to the French Line these great youTUBE videos from newsreel footage and home movies keep the memories alive!

Cruise Ship History – First Class Luncheon Menu aboard the SS Bremen in 1932 – “crossing the pond” from New York to Europe in style …

Hors d’Oeuvre:

Cold Dishes:

Soups:

Eggs:

Fish:

Entrées:

From the Grill (about 15 Minutes):

Salads:

Vegetables:

Potatoes:

Sweets and Compote:

Ice-Cream:

Cheese:

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