- The Last NORTH ATLANTIC Ocean Liners
- Last Ocean Liners to AFRICA & LATIN AMERICA
- To AUSTRALIA, FAR EAST & AROUND-the-WORLD
- SAILING SCHEDULES January to December 1966
- RANK & COMPARE the Last Ocean Liners
From their introduction throughout the 1950s, the sister ships Independence and Constitution were very well known and successful on their "Sunlane" route from New York to Algeciras (6 days), Cannes & Genoa (8 days) and Naples (9 days).
During the peak summer months the two ocean liners supported a three week round trip express service, whereas at other times stopovers were lengthened and a selection of rewarding ports like Casablanca, Tenerife, Madeira and Palma were added to make a slightly longer, more cruise-like voyage.
Independence and Constitution were the first large American ocean liners built for the Mediterranean trade. Each class was afforded a dining room, lounge and bar. First class and Cabin class each had their own outdoor pool, with First class also featuring card and writing rooms and a Pool Cafe. They were well maintained and sleek, yet without exaggerated luxury.
American Export Lines' publicity department was always busy keeping the twin ocean liners in the limelight. President Truman as well as Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo, Cary Grant and Gina Lollobrigida sailed on the trendy ocean liners, along with cardinals, bishops and Moroccan and Arabian royalty. The Constitution even transported actress Grace Kelly and 65 guests to the principality of Monaco for her royal wedding to Prince Rainier in 1956. The message was clear that these ocean liners were preferred by fashionable and influential people.
Fifty-five additional First class staterooms on two decks and an enclosed Solarium were added in 1959 and in the following year their hulls were repainted from black to white to emphasize their cruising status.
"On a Sunlane cruise in the Mediterranean, you see a new city every day, enjoy American comfort every night. In the relaxed American atmosphere, you make new friends as you swim, dance, enjoy festive shipboard life. Your life aboard ship includes all the comforts you're accustomed to ..."
In 1964, the American Export Lines was bought by Jakob Isbrandtsen and for several years was known as American Export Isbrandtsen Lines. When patronage began to fall off in the mid-1960s, the line voyage itineraries were all reworked as "Sunlane Cruises" and they were usually booked round trip, but yet could still be sold as two one-way crossings. By also cruising from New York to the Caribbean in the off season they were able to delay the withdrawal of the Independence, Constitution and Atlantic until the late 1960s.
After a short time under foreign registry, new owners placed the twins in weekly inter-Hawaiian Island cruise service as American Hawaii Cruises in 1980 and 1982 respectively, and they became well-known in their new careers. The success was finally ended by 9/11, after which the company entered bankruptcy.
Sample minimum one-way fares from New York to Cannes: First class $422; Cabin class $317; Tourist class $253; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars.
Go to American Export Lines sailing schedules or select schedules by ship below:
 Independence Built: 1951 by Bethlehem Steel, Quincy MA, USA Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |
 Constitution Built: 1951 by Bethlehem Steel, Quincy MA, USA Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |
 Atlantic Built: 1953 by Sun SB & DD Co, Chester PA, USA Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |