Crystal Cruises has abandoned ship on its plan to turn the retired SS United States into a boutique cruise ship. The line had hoped to turn the one-time queen of the U.S. fleet into an all-suite luxury cruiser for 800 passengers.
It's only the latest of a string of disappointments for those, including its current owner, the SS United States Conservancy, who have been hoping since the 1970s to get the ship back into service. It still holds the speed record for trans-Atlantic crossing.
Crystal's survey found that although the hull is sound, bringing the ship up to current standards would "require significant changes to the hull that would pose stability challenges." As well, refitting it as a modern diesel-electric and adding a twin-rudder arrangement would require rebuilding about 25% of the hull.
Although it's not buying and rebuilding the ship, Crystal, which spent about $1 million on the survey, will contribute $350,000 to the Conservancy. The ship remains docked in the Delaware at Philadelphia while the Conservancy continues its search for a future for the ship.
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