Any Old Trip Reports/Memories/Photos on SS NORWAY ?

[deliver42]

I was on the Norway in Dec, 1995. What a beautiful ship. She had a great crew and fantastic CD. We wanted to sail on her again, but the boiler blowup stopped that. There are a number of Norway clips in You Tube, both sailing and in the scrap yard. It still brings tears to my eyes when I watch them. We were on the Olympic deck, with real windows that you could see out,but not in.The Great American Café was in the rear, with umbrellas on the tables. The 2 promenade decks were awesome, as was the interiors, which was pretty much left in tact from her days as the France. To this day, I thank Mr. Kloster for having the foresight to resurrect this magnificent lady.

[GMCOLT]

I have sailed on the Norway 3 times. A very unique vessel. In a class be herself. The service was the best.

Many current NCL crew served on the Norway rated the Norway as the best ship to work on.

I have built Norway models for NCL officers.

The model in the picture resides on the Breakway.

[Starflyr3]

I was on the Norway in 1996 and in 2002, just before it was supposed to be sold to Orient line (looking back, I guess that didn't happen, there was talk of her going to be a casino ship in the South China Sea while we were onboard).

 

The first time, I was a teenager, and basically had the run of the ship while my parents went to art auctions. I met a Canadian boy named Steve, and we hung out most of the cruise. I may or may not have had my first kiss on that cruise ;). I think it went to Jamaica (Montego bay?), grand Cayman and Cozumel, but I may be remembering wrong.

 

The second time, it was my honeymoon. We sailed out of Miami and went to St Thomas (and took a catamaran to St John), GSC, and (I think) Nassau. To be honest, it was my honeymoon, so port stops weren't exactly the point of the cruise. We did get a free upgrade to a balcony room on that cruise, one near the pool on the Lido deck.

 

I remember getting in the ship after not eating for about 36 hours and heading for the sail away party, where there was a buffet, fun music (that cent, 5cent, 10 cents, a dollar song), and having the BEST HAMBURGER EVER and I remember waiving to my grandmother on the way out of Miami. She lived in South Pointe tower back then, and she waived a Texas flag at us so we knew it was her.

 

I also remember the beautiful enclosed promenade deck with the ice cream stand on the port side, the dancing waiters with the Baked Alaska, formal night, and singing a lot of karaoke. And of course, the art, which STILL decorates my parents entire house.

 

Oh, and the tenders that went in the front of the ship and were lifted up and out at tender stops. We actually got to ride in one of them when we went to GSC in June - the Norway 2. Apparently, after she was scrapped, NCL bought those 2 tenders to be used at GSC. So the spirit of the blue lady lives on, at least!

 

Thanks for starting this thread!

Edited July 15, 2016 by Starflyr3

[Cruisin'Horns]

I sailed on the Norway when I was a kid with my parents. It was 84 or 85. The entertainer on our cruise was Rita Moreno. The food was awesome. They had an unbelievable midnight buffet. There was ice sculptures and tons of desserts. The disco that looked into the pool was really neat.

 

Our literary was St Thomas, Nassau, and Norwegian's private island. We definitely tendered in St Thomas and the private island. I think we docked in Nassau. We sailed from Miami. It was a fun trip.

Edited July 15, 2016 by Cruisin'Horns

[17cruisesnsl]

Read all the great memories in this thread- thanks for reviving it.

 

My third cruise, January 4, 1992 was on the Norway. What a fabulous ship and cruise. I was miserably seasick on my first two cruises and our late travel agent convinced me to try cruising again on an ocean liner. I was convinced when I saw the pictures of the indoor pool/spa. So glad we went, I didn't get seasick and was hooked on cruising thanks to the Norway.

 

I remember the sailing date, not only because it is in my Latitudes history, but because the ship was still decorated for Christmas and it was so beautiful. Then the morning after Three Kings Day, the decorations were gone and the rich wood and finishes were now visible.

 

The waiter and the food were the best we ever had on a cruise ship, including the Haven. We shared a table with another mother and daughter whom we went ashore with and the elderly mother confessed she was not only wearing a sweatsuit in the 90° St. Thomas heat but long underwear, too!

 

I remember a formal night midnight buffet and having my first (and last) Aquavit, served in a keepsake horn shaped glass which remains in my china closet.

 

The Broadway show was Meet Me in Saint Louis, a million times better than Rock of Ages and the show contracts were for a season not an eternity

 

My mother is now in her late 80s and while her memory isn't sharp, she clearly recalls our Norway cruise. We recently sailed in the Haven and she likened the Haven restaurant service to that on the Norway only then, we sailed in an ocean view. I am glad we had the opportunity to sail her and I know this weekend, I'll be digging through the attic looking for our Norway album

[latebloomer56]

I'm still confused as to which SS Norway we were on. Was there 2 with different lines? When we went to the private island it was Laberdee and I thought this was RCCL?

I am giving the picture of the life preserver to our TA. If we were on the NCL ship she said she can get us credit for the trip. Guess it really doesn't matter as we are over the top tier after Oct.'s trip. If it is RCCL we will get it logged on their site but may not matter to us as they don't go where we want when we want.

 

I also remember our first mid-night buffet which was way over the top. They let folk's go through for pictures first then a little later was open to try the beautiful foods. I have pictures which just didn't do it justice. But I guess looking back there was a lot of waste.

[Epiro Funchal]

Norway circa 1990

 

I took this picture while touring the ship.

 

[taszmom]

So glad we got to sail on the SS Norway in June of 1, the first sailing right after the boiler explosion. It was our daughter's first cruise, she was 2 1/2. We had a tiny inside cabin on the Viking deck, the longest deck. You could see clear down with no obstruction, I think it was about 1/4 mile. Every time the dropped down the tender boats, it sounded like the roof of our cabin was going to cave in! LOL! What we remember most is the outstanding entertainment and food. Yes everyone did dress formal for dinner and there was a high tea at 4pm of course the midnight Chocolate buffet. We feel fortunate to have experienced what is was like to cruise on an ocean liner and how cruising used to be.

 

I think she was taken to India to be dismantled.

[deliver42]

Latebloomer56, you were on the Song of Norway with RCCL. There was only one true Norway, and that was the SS Norway with NCL.

[Norway97]

I don't know where to begin. Best memories ever that remain vivid. Our first trip on her was a 2+ week transatlantic: Canada, Ireland, England, and France. Our son was 9 and one of perhaps only 10 kids onboard. The following summer we repeated with a 12 day circuit of the British Isles. Then 3 on her traditional Miami/Caribbean. There was an 18 month period we were on her for 30 days total, with staff greeting our son by his first name as we boarded the 3rd time. Nothing ever came close. As easy as it is to pack all casual now and do freestyle dining, how we miss the old days of pre dinner cocktails and dancing in black tie in Club International (remember the paid gentleman escorts?) or high tea in the afternoon.

[cruizinwithkids]

As easy as it is to pack all casual now and do freestyle dining, how we miss the old days of pre dinner cocktails and dancing in black tie in Club International (remember the paid gentleman escorts?) or high tea in the afternoon.

 

I forgot about the gentleman escorts. DH decided that's what he was going to do when he retired. LOL

 

The Norway was our second cruise and we hated it. We hated it because the ship was so HUGE!!! Our first cruise was the Starward. I got lost on the Starward and the Norway was way too much for me. I did love the elegance and I really did love the dress up at the time. Now like so many others, I only want casual.

[Blondie008]

Loving all these wonderful stories and pictures - thanks OP for the post!

Didn't have the pleasure ourselves. Our first cruise ever was on the Norwegian Dream and we were docked opposite The Norway (maybe she was tendered?) - anyway, she was loooooooooooong - it seemed to us she was so very long - probably nothing compared to big ships now?

 

The pool voyeur story though reminded me of this Norwegian Dream trip. It was our first cruise - our daughter was originally booked to be in our cabin, but - we being totally ignorant of cruise pricing - had been stung badly by a UK agent and paid way way over the odds. We spoke to the Chief Purser, and he organised an inside cabin for our daughter (17) after the ship sailed. Anyway, sorry, the voyeur bit. Our oceanview cabin was on the promenade deck - and unbeknown to the passing power walkers, these blacked out windows they were passing by, were in fact cabins - we had such a laugh running a book on the favourite to come first around the next lap - ladies in their skip hat thingys - racing against one another - and now and then we'd get a lazy backside leaning against our window -

Would loved to have seen that pool cabin :)

We loved that cabin - thought it was the height of luxury -And the cruise still one of the best routes ever - it was a Boston to Miami 16 night repo taking in everything in the Caribbean including the ABC islands - still have never found a trip like it - would do that route again in a heartbeat!

 

Memories huh - so glad we have them :)

Edited July 17, 2016 by Blondie008

[latebloomer56]

Latebloomer56, you were on the Song of Norway with RCCL. There was only one true Norway, and that was the SS Norway with NCL.

 

Thank you a million times over. Need to change that and let TA know. How could I not remember Song not SS.

[Smhentz11]

I know this is an old thread, but I just stumbled upon it and thought I would respond. My husband and I were on our first ever cruise on the last ever cruise for beautiful S.S. Norway (still aboard when the boiler exploded). I do have many pictures of that cruise. If anyone is interested, I could scan and post. She was a beautiful ship and we were very hopeful they would be able to save her. If NCL ever builds a memorial ship, we will definitely sail again! ❤️

[latebloomer56]

Just found my old question and answer. Sorry deleted the question and added this text because I can't seem to just delete the original.

Have a great day.

Edited May 28, 2018 by latebloomer56
change comment

[latebloomer56]

Thank you a million times over. Need to change that and let TA know. How could I not remember Song not SS.

 

Senior moment just went back again yes Song of Norway on the life ring got us points on RCL.

[Goldconnection]

My DH and I sailed on the Norway in 2000 for our honeymoon. Our cabin was huge. We did not have a balcony but the window was floor to ceiling and wall to wall. We loved the Norway. Needless to say we have been cruising every since.

[deliver42]

My wife and I were on the Norway in 1995 on the Olympic deck, which was an add on by NCL. You could look out of the window, but couldn't see in.What a beautiful ship.

[bostoncruisegal]

My first cruise was on the Norway. Five women in an interior for spring break..... Room was all the way near the front, and it was a loooong walk to everything, but we had a blast.

 

We went to St. John's, St. Thomas, and GSC. We were supposed to go to St. Maarten, but were diverted as a staff member had gone overboard. She was found, alive thankfully, 10 hours later by the ship!

 

 

 

 

Great memories on the Norway :-)

[newmexicoNita]

I so wish this beautiful ship were around still ... i would love to read and see some reports on her. I am kicking myself for not sailing her before her removal from service and scrapping.

 

Does anyone have any thing they care to post here about their trips on her?

Like you we are so sorry we didn't sail her. We had, finally booked her for our granddaughters 21st BD and the accident happened a couple of months prior to her BD. Apparently she was one of a kind.

[deliver42]

She was indeed, one of a kind. One of our ports was St. Thomas. The Norway couldn't dock at these ports, so we tendered with the tenders she carried on board. We went up the tram to the top of the mountain, and to see her anchored in the bay was an awesome sight. She was long and very elegant.

[Palmetto Pilot]

The SS Norway in 1995 was my first cruise ever, I was pretty young but I was hooked. I went with a friend and his family, his father was an avid gambler for years on NCL. We had a sky suite KO51 I'll never forget it it. Flood to ceiling windows, huge room and bathroom. It was an incredible trip. I remember the promenade being so long! One side was 5th Avenue and the other was Champs Elysees. The windward dining room with the stars in the ceiling. It was incredible. I got to sail on her one more time in 1997 or 1998.

[vettprincess]

Just happened to find this thread started in 2012 while looking for Bliss in Seattle.

I was on the S S France to and from Europe in 1963. Then 20 yrs later we took our first cruise on the S S Norway

1983. We then did 10 more on "our" ship until the year before the explosion.

Have done over 50 cruises since then but the S S Norway was the best ever. Must leave but will share more if anyone has a questions. Bye for now.