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HISTORY
The brand new
Kungsholm set on her maiden voyage from Gothenburg to New
York City on 24 November 1953. During her time with the
Swedish American Line she was used on transatlantic
crossings during the northern hemisphere summer season, and
on luxury cruises during the rest of the year. She was a
highly successful vessel, and already in September 1954 SAL
decided to order a slightly larger ship (eventually named MS
Gripsholm) based on the same design from the Ansaldo
shipyard in Genoa, Italy to become a running mate for the
Kungsholm.
In January 1955 the Kungsholm departed on the first-ever
around the world cruise made by a SAL vessel. In May 1957
the new Gripsholm was delivered and entered service
alongside the Kungsholm. In 1961 the Kungsholm was drydocked
and refitted with stabilizers.
Encouraged by the success of the Kungsholm and Gripsholm,
the Swedish American Line placed an order for yet another
new ship in August 1963. In preparation for the delivery of
the new ship—also named MS Kungsholm—the old Kungsholm was
sold to the North German Lloyd in May 1964, with the
delivery date set in October 1965. She set on her last
transatlantic crossing in SAL colors from New York on 21
August 1965, arriving in Gothenburg on 5 October 1965. Ten
days later she was delivered to the North German Lloyd. |
