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RMS TITANIC – Centennial may be last chance for the super rich to visit watery grave.

December 5, 2011 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

Cruise and Liner History: RMS TITANIC – Centennial may be last chance for the super rich to visit watery grave.

Down, down, down you go, for 2 1/2 hours, jammed with two other people in a tiny submersible, all the way to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean — and all for a glimpse, through a 5- or 8-inch porthole, of the ravaged remains of the once-grand ship where the Astors and the Strauses played, dined and, in some cases, died.

The trip is not for the claustrophobic, nor the 99 percent: A two-week cruise that includes one dive, lasting eight to 10 hours, costs $60,000.

But for fans of the Titanic, no price or privation is too great — especially with the 100th anniversary of the sinking coming up on April 15.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Renata Rojas, a banker in New York City, said of diving more than 2 miles down to the muddy seabed. “I’ve been obsessed with the Titanic since I was 10 years old.”

Only existing film footage of the RMS TITANIC…

Centennial fever

With the centennial in mind, at least 80 people are expected to take the plunge to the wreck, according to the company that runs the trips, Deep Ocean Expeditions.

The ROTTERDAM IV – Holland America Line History

November 27, 2011 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

Excellent video on the ROTTERDAM

Cruise and Liner History – The ROTTERDAM IV – Holland America Line History

Harland and Wolff, Belfast built Holland America Line’s ROTTERDAM IV in 1908. She held 530 First, 555 Second and 2,124 Third Class passengers. She was a liner with two funnels, Holland America’s first, 650 feet in length and 77 feet wide. Her registered tonnage was 24,170 and displacement of 37,190 tons. She traveled at an average of 16.5 knots. She was sold in January of 1940 to Dutch breakers.

Pool – Ziegfeld Chorus Girls…

The ROTTERDAM was one the finest, largest and most popular ships crossing the Atlantic and cost about $5,000,000 to build. She became famous because of her exceptionally attractive features, so that many discriminating travelers choose her in preference to many other Atlantic steamer. In luxurious appointments, in extraordinary size of rooms, averaging much larger than on any of our ships on previous Cruises, as well as in her extreme steadiness, almost eliminating seasickness, she was unsurpassed. She had 56 suites and rooms with brass bedsteads and private baths, and over 100 single rooms, together with a beautiful Palm Court, Verandah Cafe, Elevator, Social Hall, Library, 3 Smoke Rooms, a glass enclosed Promenade Deck, electrically forced ventilation of hot and cold air, etc. Most of the outside staterooms had two, and in some cases three, windows or portholes, some being fitted with a device that admits fresh air freely, even when the porthole was closed. One of her most attractive features was an immense Dining Saloon, seating nearly 500 people at small tables, where all of her passengers took their meals, and where an orchestra of artists of high merit played during lunch and dinner, as well as in the Social Hall in the evening.

Le Cirque’s famous owner Sirio Maccioni started as a waiter “crossing the pond” aboard the Home Lines SS ATLANTIC.

September 11, 2010 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

Home Lines SS ATLANTIC…

Le Cirque’s famous owner Sirio Maccioni started as a waiter “crossing the pond” aboard the Home Lines SS ATLANTIC. After achieving success, he sailed trans-Atlantic years later as a first class passenger aboard the Italian Line’s SS GIULIO CESARE. In June 2004 Maccioni published his biography, Sirio: The Story of My Life and Le Cirque with restaurant critic Peter Elliot.

Sirio Maccioni (born 1932 in Montecatini Terme, Italy) is a restaurateur and author based in New York City. He is known for Le Cirque, his award-winning flagship French restaurant and other ventures in New York, Las Vegas, the Dominican Republic and Mexico City, which are run with his wife Egidiana “Egi” and sons Mario, Marco and Mauro. A restaurant in London is scheduled to open in 2009.

To order Maccioni’s biography click here for a link to Amazon.

To visit Le Cirque’s website – learn more about the restaurant or make a reservation – please click here.

In his biography, Maccioni tells his story to American co-author Peter Elliot, food critic for Bloomberg radio and winner of the James Beard award. Peter Elliot does a wondrous job piecing together Sirio’s autobiography along with interviews of Sirio’s friends, family, and New York notables and a sound history of each landscape visited in Sirio’s journey from Montecatini, Italy to New York City.

He is the ultimate American success – a small town boy who makes good.

His experiences working as a waiter aboard Home Lines S.S. Atlantic and S.S. Homeric are a highlight.

He signed on the S.S. Atlantic to work as a waiter with other young men in the mid-1950s. They had been pitched by Home Lines to work for the steamship company because of their experience. The multilingual crew were called “the chosen” because of their experiences as waiters.

American family in first class aboard the S.S. Homeric sailing from Europe to New York. Photo was taken in First Class dining room. Waiter could have been a contemporary of Maccioni at that time.

But Maccioni and his colleagues boarded the ship to have their passports taken by a monstrous purser and found themselves hired as waiters/cheap labor. [Read more...]

Filed Under: STEAMSHIP LINES Tagged With: accommodations, ad-serving, american steamships, automotive, autos, business, buy, cars, college, computers, Cruise History, cruise ship history, CRUISE SHIP REVIEWS, cruising the past, culture, dealers, demic, destinations, education, entertainment, finances, games, gaming, GRACE LINE, health, hobbies, HOLLAND AMEERICA LINE HISTORY, holland america, HOLLAND AMERICA LINE, HOME LINES, HOMERIC, HOTELS, independent, institutions, interests, italian lines, Le Cirque, learning, Liner History, local, lodging, lurline, MARIPOSA, marketer-interest, Marshal Petain, MATSON LINES, media, Messageries Maritimes, money, Monterey, NEW YORK SOCIETY, news, online, Peter Elliot, play, products, purchase, recreation, regional, reporting, sales, school, search, service, shop, shopping, Sirio Maccioni, SOCIAL HISTORY, SS ATLANTIC, SS La Marseillais, SS La Marseillaise, ss malolo, SS Nieuw Amsterdam, SS Rotterdam, ss united states, student, technology, tourism, travel, university, vacationers, Vietnam

Messageries Maritimes – Passenger liner arriving from Vietnam.

September 10, 2010 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

The French passenger liner SS La Marseillaise is seen arriving in Marseillaise from Vietnam during the 1950s. She was the largest and most luxurious ship operated by by the steamship company Messageries Maritimes. La Marseillaise operated between France and the Far East. The elegant vessel was launched in 1944 in the name of Marshal Petain (who was a French general who reached the distinction of Chief of State of Vichy France during the Nazi occupation). SS La Marseillaise had the distinction of sinking on two occasions, the first time in France before being completed during WW II, and the second time after an explosion and fire off the island of Grenada when she had been sold off for Caribbean cruises. La Marsillaise, like many liners after WW II, had many careers with various names.

Filed Under: STEAMSHIP LINES Tagged With: accommodations, ad-serving, american steamships, automotive, autos, business, buy, cars, college, computers, Cruise History, cruise ship history, CRUISE SHIP REVIEWS, cruising the past, culture, dealers, demic, destinations, education, entertainment, finances, games, gaming, GRACE LINE, health, hobbies, HOLLAND AMEERICA LINE HISTORY, holland america, HOLLAND AMERICA LINE, HOTELS, independent, institutions, interests, learning, Liner History, local, lodging, marketer-interest, Marshal Petain, media, Messageries Maritimes, money, news, online, play, products, purchase, recreation, regional, reporting, sales, school, search, service, shop, shopping, SOCIAL HISTORY, SS La Marseillais, SS La Marseillaise, SS Nieuw Amsterdam, SS Rotterdam, ss united states, student, technology, tourism, travel, university, vacationers, Vietnam

HISTORY OF THE GRACE LINE

September 9, 2010 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

Social History and Cruise History – The Grace Line ad in Holiday Magazine 1956 – Cruising was much different in the 1950s. Looking at the photos, in comparison to today’s ships, you could say it was much more civilized.

Cruise History – THE GRACE LINE – In the mid 1800s, the Irish-born Grace brothers, William Russell and Michael, established a commercial and shipping business in Callao, the port of Lima, Peru. They prospered, especially in the exporting of guano from the Chincha Islands to the United States, where this fertilizer was in considerable demand.

In 1865, leaving Michael in charge of their interests in Callao, William established the firm of W.R. Grace & Co., in New York. By 1880 he had become a leading citizen and was twice elected Mayor of New York, despite opposition from Tammany. In the 1890′s the company entered the steamship business with a line of freighters running from New York to the South American west coast via the Strait of Magellan flying the British flag.

Grace’s original British-flag ships had black hulls, white painted masts and booms, and a green stack with a black top. After the First World War successors were painted grey, with masts and booms of the usual mast color. Hulls became black again in 1928 and masts and booms reverted to white in 1932. (about 1959-60 Grace passenger ships again turned to grey hulls).

THE MS STELLA POLARIS – the most famous cruise ship of all time.

September 8, 2010 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

Cruise History – THE LAST VOYAGE – THE MS STELLA POLARIS – the most famous cruise ship of all time.

THE MS STELLA POLARIS: A great video of the last voyage of the most famous cruise ship of the thirties, the inter war years and probably even in the history of cruising.

The ship was considered one of the most elegant and exclusive devoted to cruising. She sailed to the Mediterranean, North Cape, Caribbean and Around The World. She had no rivals.

On the World Cruise there was more than one crew member for every passenger. The time was elegant and this is great glimpse into cruise and social history.

The elegant Stella Polaris.

She was owned by Bergen Line from Norway during the first part of her career, and resembled a royal yacht, with her clipper bow, bow sprit, well deck and lavish accommodations for just 200 passengers. She was built by Gotaverken in Goteborg in 1925-26, measured 5.020 GRT and went into service in early 1927.

As mentioned, Bergen Line ordered Stella Polaris in Sweden; it was the first passenger vessel built by Gotaverken. They built the hull, and interior fittings were subcontracted to other firms.

She was launched in September 1926 by miss Lehmkuhl, the daughter of Bergen Line`s director. Sending her on trials in February 1927 already, these were so successful that the yard had no problems at all to deliver her on schedule. Instead of April 1st 1927, she was delivered 5 weeks early on February 26th.

Stella Polaris is considered one of the first “real” cruise ships in the history of cruising, being not only one of the first full-time cruise ships, but also one of the first purpose built cruise ships. For the most part, until the 1950s passenger ships were a means of transportation, and consequently, most cruise ships were passenger liners that were sent off cruising in “weak” periods, e.g. winter on the North Atlantic when passenger numbers were low.

Stella Polaris’ interiors were nothing short of splendid. There were 6 passenger decks, Bridge Deck and below Decks A to E. On A Deck, 7 life boats were placed, but she also carried two motor barges. Aft on this deck nine passenger cabins were located and the gymnasium. On B Deck: the Music Salon, Verandah Cafe, and Smoking Room were situated. One deck below, C Deck housed the dining room seating max. 214 guests, meaning all passengers could be served in one seating. On its ceiling 150 lamps formed a star. On the remaining part of C deck and the two decks below D and E, passenger cabins were located. Her most luxuriously appointed accommodations were 4 suites (on C Deck), each fitted with its own sort of wood!

SAILING TO JAPAN DURING THE JAZZ AGE

November 8, 2009 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

CRUISING THE PAST – SAILING TO JAPAN DURING THE JAZZ AGE – ACROSS THE PACIFIC – ABOARD THE NYK LINES AND OSK LINES

Jazz Age Destination – 1920s – YouTube video – great films of the fabulous Orient before WW2.

M/S Asama Maru (1929) and M/S Tatsutu Maru (1930) – NYK Line

One of Japan’s proudest periods in passenger shipping was the 1929 building of two of the finest and most luxurious ships ever to sail the Pacific Ocean – the Asama Maru and Tatsuta Maru. They were routed on NYK Line’s premier express service, regularly sailing from Hong Kong, Shanghai, Kobe and Yokohama to Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Their passenger areas were of the highest quality, much of it in traditional European style. There were polished woods, stained glass skylights, fine dining rooms, lounges, library, gift shop, hair salon, comfortable cabins and a swimming pool on deck. This was luxury cruising at its finest. Notable passengers who sailed on these fine ships included Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin.

The Asama Maru was the first to enter service in 1929 and she soon set the record for the fastest crossing of the Pacific on the Yokohama to San Francisco route. Her sister, the Tatsutu Maru entered service in 1930. In 1936 the Tatsutu Maru become the first merchant ship to pass under the new Bay Bridge linking San Francisco and Oakland. In 1937 the Asama Maru suffered a mishap when she was driven aground in Kowloon Bay during the Great Hong Kong Typhoon. After the outbreak of the Second World War both ships were requisitioned as troopships but unfortunately both were sunk and did not survive the war and it was left to the Hikawa Maru to re-establish the trans-pacific service.

The OSK AND NYK LINES were the equivalent of Japan’s Cunard and US Lines before WWII. The Japanese trans-pacific service was booming during the interwar years following the First World War. NYK and OSK were ordering new and more luxurious ships for the prestigious trans-pacific service. Seen below are elegant postcards from Japan’s two major shipping companies – during the heyday of their passengers service between WWI and WWII.

OSK AND NYK LINE POSTCARDS – PROMOTING THEIR LINERS

Click below to see a large collection of wonderful post cards from NYK and OSK Lines.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Nippon Yusen Kaisha NYK LINE Tagged With: japan, jazz age, NYK LINES, NYK OSK LINES, OSK, trans-pacific, TRANS-PACIFIC LINERS, travel

Looking at the SOUTHERN BELLE

August 14, 2009 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

Cruising the past looks at the streamliner SOUTHERN BELLE.

American deluxe rail travel, 1920s to 1950s, unrivaled anywhere to the present, the epitome of style, in transport, which gave travel its sense of occasion, combined with the right degree of urgency and speed.

One such train was the streamliner SOUTHERN BELLE.

A small train, with diner, observation-lounge and Pullman service ran overnight between Kansas City and New Orleans.

When the Southern Pacific’s service deteriorated in the 1960s – Santa Fe would put their passengers aboard the Super Chief from Los Angeles to Kansas City where they would connect with the first class SOUTHERN BELLE.

A nostalgic look at the SS CATALINA and SS AVALON.

May 22, 2009 By Michael L. Grace Leave a Comment

1950s RETRO: THE BIG WHITE CRUISE SHIP SAILS AGAIN TO CATALINA ISLAND! from CRUISINGTHEPAST.COM on Vimeo.

A nostalgic look at the SS CATALINA and SS AVALON.

They were called the BIG WHITE STEAMERS. These day tourist steamships operated together by William Wrigley Company from 1920 into the early 1950s — except for WW 2. The SS CATALINA continued running into the mid-1970s.

They provided daily service throughout the summer from Los Angeles to Catalina Island. The SS AVALON lies at the bottom of the Pacific off the coast of Southern California.

The SS CATALINA, after a valiant attempt to rescue it, was taken to Mexico where she was left rotting in Ensenada Harbor and scrapped this year.

There was a big deal about making the SS CATALINA a National Historical Monument. But like most “historical” endeavors in California it got lost in financial problems and endless legal action.

Cheers to the memory of these ships and the great people who tried to save the SS CATALINA.