Historic ocean liner could be turned into luxury cruise ship

“The prospect of revitalizing the SS United States and reestablishing her as “America’s Flagship” once again is a thrilling one”, said Edie Rodriguez, Crystal’s president and CEO.

Officials of the Crystal Cruises luxury travel company held a news conference Thursday to announce plans to overhaul the SS United States at a cost of at least $700 million.

The company is Crystal Cruises, which is known for its offbeat travel offerings, including trips by personal submarine, the newspaper reports.

Genting Hong Kong, which owns Crystal, actually owned the SS United States in the early 2000s in a failed bid to operate the ship under its Star Cruises brand.

Crystal Cruises says it will be examining exciting new itineraries for the 60,000-gross-ton SS United States. including traditional transatlantic voyages from New York City as well as key US ports and on worldwide voyages around the globe.

Luxury cruise line, Crystal Cruises is optioning the ship to return it to its former glory, and more. The ship remains the largest passenger vessel ever built and designed in the USA, transporting four US presidents, worldwide royalty and Hollywood celebrities prior to its 1969 retirement. “Before the moon shot, the space shuttle, the computer and the iPhone this nation gave the world the SS United States”. During that time, Crystal Cruises will cover the costs of preserving the ship, …

Rendering of the restored SS United States.

Cheering crowds line the quayside in 1952 as the record breaking liner, SS United States, arrives in Southampton.

The ship has passed through several owners in subsequent years.

“Tim’s integrity and leadership will help ensure the feasibility study is conducted with appropriately wide consultation, and rigorous adherence to both safety and environmental awareness”, said Rodriguez.

“The Conservancy could never have reached this momentous milestone without the lifeline provided by our supporters from across the country and around the world”. In addition to the restoration, a land-based United States museum is in the works. Lots of the ships grand spaces will be brought back to life including the Promenade and Navajo Lounge.

NCL’s U.S.-flagged operations did not grow as planned, and the SS United States Conservancy purchased the United States from Norwegian/Genting in order to save it from being sent to a scrapyard. Please see our terms of service for more information. The cruise line will reveal further details about sailings in the future.