During one of my cruises on her, while sitting in the tender at St.Thomas next to her towering hull, I felt something land on my shoulder. I was dreading that it was a seagull dropping, when to my surprise, I found a chip of blue paint, about 3" in diameter, that had fallen from her hull. This I have kept until this day! (I also have a chip of black paint from the hull of the SS UNITED STATES in Norfolk.)

I also have some original French Line hangers, which were left on-board NORWAY and quickly disappeared after her first month or so in service.

NORWAY's gift shops offered so much cool stuff to buy, and NORWAY had her own logo and it was on everything. The closest thing I can think of to compare today is QM2 and all her logo items. NORWAY had a very large gift shop called "Upstairs at the downstairs", and it was two stories connected by it's own spiral staircase.

Great ship, great memories, and great memorabilia!

Ernie

[ 03-05-2005: Message edited by: eroller ]

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Originally posted by eroller:
NORWAY had a very large gift shop called "Upstairs at the downstairs", and it was two stories connected by it's own spiral staircase.

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Originally posted by Keitaro:
Intersting Ernie. What became of "Upstairs and Downstairs'?

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The "Upstairs" portion became the Logo Shop, and the "Downstairs" portion became an annex to the Casino, packed with slot machines.

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Originally posted by DAMBROSI:
For SeaWander......you have photos of the NORWAY at Solent....I'd love to see them........almost forgot I do have 2 SS NORWAY towels, 1994 and in 2002, I think???

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One of the photos I took is on my website, both on the title page and in the "Cruise Ships and Liners" page

http://www.shipimages.co.uk

[ 03-05-2005: Message edited by: Sea Wanderer ]

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Originally posted by Linerdan:
I have 2 french line France menus dated Sept 26th 1969.Can anyone tell me what was the date of her last sailing as the France?.Just wanted to see how close the menus are to the final voyage.
Thanks Linerdan

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Her last voyage #202 from Le Havre left on 30 August 1974. She called at New York on 5 Sept. and turned around for the return portion of her voyage. She arrived at Le Havre on 11 Sept. 1974, which is when the crew took over and held her hostage. This was the beginning of the end.

Actually her last scheduled trip (NY to Cannes) would have been on 18 October 1974, but that of course never took place.

Here are a couple of scans.

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Originally posted by eroller:
I believe "Upstairs at the Downstairs" was a nightclub on FRANCE. I think it was called "L'Atlantique" or something along those lines. It was actually a duel area that served both first and tourist class if I'm not mistaken. The spiral staircase existed to connect the two classes, and apparently this was an easy way for Tourist Class to sneak into First!

Ernie

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Upstairs was used for First class Cabaret de L' Atlantique and Downstairs was used for Boutique on the Norway.
It seemed that the spiral staircase was used for boutique's guest only.
and became as follows

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Originally posted by Linerrich:

The "Upstairs" portion became the Logo Shop, and the "Downstairs" portion became an annex to the Casino, packed with slot machines.

Rich

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[ 03-06-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

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Originally posted by Linerrich:

Her last voyage #202 from Le Havre left on 30 August 1974. She called at New York on 5 Sept. and turned around for the return portion of her voyage. She arrived at Le Havre on 11 Sept. 1974, which is when the crew took over and held her hostage. This was the beginning of the end.

Actually her last scheduled trip (NY to Cannes) would have been on 18 October 1974, but that of course never took place.

Rich

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France was originally scheduled to arrive at New York on September 4th and depart on the following day.
Did France cross in 6 days?

French Line announced its Autumn Caribbean cruises from New York on or after October 30.
However, In July, French Line made the decision that they would withdraw the France from service with effect from October 25, 1974

[ 03-06-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

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Originally posted by sslewis:

ssFrance speed was reduced to 24 knots in 1974 so she crossed the Atlantic in 6 days instead of 4.

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In 1974, France was originnaly scheduled to cross on Eastbound crossings in 7 days between New York* and Bremerhaven via Southampton with overnight stay at Le Havre and Westbound crossings in 6 days because of no overnight stay enroute.

New York* was scheduled to call overnight as a terminated port.

French Line seemed to revise its schedules to cut Bremerhaven calls and no overnight stay at New York.

[ 03-08-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

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Originally posted by jeffrossatsea:
the promotional fold-out brochure from norwegian cruise lines of an artist rendering and "ss france" deck plans on the back and the first full brochure of the "ss norway" would be my best memorabilia.....oh yea....my only post card (b/w) of the "ss france".....jeff

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Is this the same one?

http://www.travelserver.net/travelpage/aspgallery/view_ad.asp?Ad_ID=1791

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Originally posted by Linerrich:
With the NORWAY being so very topical these days, I've posted some unique or seldom-seen views of her, both exterior and interior views, in this album in the Photo Gallery:

Enjoy!
Rich

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