S.S. United States – Mona Mania

The SS United States Books an important passenger In the spring of 1962, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy worked her charm on André Malraux, the French minister for cultural affairs. Her request, would the French be willing to send over the Mona Lisa for a US Tour....

S.S. America and Airport Duty Free

Did you know that the America inspired the creation of airport Duty-Free shops? The idea originated with the Shannon, Ireland airport’s catering comptroller, Brendan O’ Regan, a proud gentleman, determined to show skeptics that the Irish could run a world class...

S.S. United State’s Future in Doubt

CRYSTAL CRUISES DOES NOT EXERCISE PURCHASE OPTION. BIG U FUTURE AGAIN IN DOUBT. Statement by Susan Gibbs, Executive Director, SS United States Conservancy, August 5, 2016 Today the SS United States Conservancy is sharing with our supporters that our option agreement...

The Duke is on Board

The SS United States Books an important passenger The Windsors and pug aboard the SS United States. June 24, 1969. (AP) photo They were regulars on the Cunard Line, traveling with staff of four, three dogs, 126 pieces of luggage and an occasional new car. When Cunard...

Mad Men Fly TWA

Roger Sterling (John Slattery) and Don Draper (Jon Hamm) – Mad Men – Season 7, Gallery – Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC When fictional characters travel by air their authors make airline reservations. In “Diamonds are Forever”, ...

The Radar Range

An innovator with both food and equipment, United States Lines executive chef Otto Bismarck is credited with the introduction of the first microwave oven on an ocean liner. Introduced in 1947, the new cooking technology was derived from radar research in World War II....

Comparo 2 Big U v/s QM2

Queen Mary 2 vs the United States, a comparson One of my favorite Car Magazine, Car and Driver, features a comparison between two cars types from competing manufacturers, IE Mustang vs Camaro.  Called 'Comparo' the articles follows a predictable format, test drive,...

Cruise ship or Ocean liner? Part 1

A cruise or a transatlantic Crossing, what’s the difference? Cruise ships are on flex time, ocean liners have schedules to meet Cruise ships sail around heavy weather, ocean liners sail into it. Cruise ships are their own destination. Ocean liners sail to a...

Horse Racing

In the field of ship horse racing, no one surpassed the naming creativity of John Lock, executive purser on S.S. United States. For the mock races in the ballroom Mr. Lock selected names such as Chilly, by Cold Wind out of Atlantic, Pop by Cork out of Bottle, Mal de...

Airlines of the Stars

TWA became known as the ‘Airline of the Stars’ thanks to owner Howard Hughes connection with the film world.  The airline frequently served as an outlet for both his ego and love of flying. Know to employees as “our father who art in Hollywood” Hughes often acted as...