The Last Ocean Liners

Hamburg-Atlantic Line

Hanseatic

In the aftermath of World War II, there was interest in reopening luxury German flag transatlantic service to New York. Several investors established the Hamburg-Atlantic Line in the mid-1950s and arranged to buy the flagship Canadian Pacific ocean liner Empress of Scotland (ex Empress of Japan) for US$2.8 million, which was being retired. Extensively rebuilt as the Hanseatic at a further cost of US$4 million, its three funnels were replaced by two of contemporary design, passenger capacity was increased by over 500 berths and its size by about 4,000 gross tons.

Hamburg-Atlantic Line

Hanseatic entered service in July 1958, and was assigned to a route from New York to Cherbourg, Southampton (7 days) and Cuxhaven (9 days), with a round-trip sailing approximately every three weeks from spring through fall. After the transatlantic season, the ocean liner cruised from New York to the Mediterranean via Port Everglades, reaching as far as Egypt and Israel, ending in Cuxhaven six weeks later. In January, Hanseatic returned to Florida for Caribbean cruising.

Hamburg-Atlantic Line

While on the Cuxhaven - New York service, Hanseatic operated as a two class ocean liner. First class occupied the entire Boat Deck including a lounge, restaurant, 36 staterooms and an outdoor pool. The other decks were devoted to Tourist class with public rooms including a lounge, cafe, theater, winter garden and tavern. Tourist class staterooms were on Upper, Main, Restaurant and A-Decks, all with private facilities and most convertible from sitting room by day to bedroom at night.

Hamburg-Atlantic Line

"Stars sparkle brightly over the wide expanse of ocean as you wish each other a fond good night aboard the happy HANSEATIC, the great and beautiful floating city on which you can rest, relax and enjoy life at its very best".

Hanseatic continued in service until an unfortunate fire while docked at Pier 84 in New York on September 7, 1966. It was towed to Hamburg, but found to be beyond economic repair. It was replaced in November, 1967 by the Zim Lines' Shalom, which was renamed Hanseatic.

Sample minimum one-way fares from New York to Cuxhaven: First class $365; Tourist class $235; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars.

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