Crystal Cruises to Restore S.S. United States
by Anna Gleksman /Crystal Cruises yesterday said it will spend almost $800 million to restore the historic S.S. United States, retaining some of her original features, including the Promenade and Navajo Lounge.
"The prospect of revitalizing the SS United States and re-establishing her as 'America's Flagship' once again is a thrilling one. It will be a very challenging undertaking, but we are determined to apply the dedication and innovation that has always been the ship's hallmark," Crystal CEO Edie Rodriguez said in a statement.
In her heyday in 1952 the ship was the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic, setting the record at 3 days, 10 hours, and 40 minutes.
The S.S. United States was for a time owned by Norwegian Cruise Line, which eventually gave up its plan to restore her as just too costly. Philadelphia philanthropist H. F. "Gerry" Lenfest; Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the architect; and Marine Capt. Dan McSweeney, a first-generation American whose father came to this country to work aboard the ship as a steward, purchased the ship for $5.8 million and left it in the hands of the SS United States Conservancy.
When up and running the ship will carry 800 passengers in 400 luxury suites. Crystal plans to retain some of the original features of the ship, including the Promenade and the Navajo Lounge.
Rodriguez estimated the ship could be seaworthy in 2018.