Comments on: Breaking News: SS Independence Leaving San Francisco

By: Holly Kear

Holly Kear — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:10:44 +0000

I will never forget working as a Cabin Steward and a Purser for 10 years on board the SS Indpendence in Hawaii. I remember spending many nights on the bow and fantail of this glorious ship watching shooting stars and the magical flow of lava from the active volcano on the big island of Hawaii.
Many famous people have graced her decks such as Don Ho, the Andrew sisters, Hermans Hermits, June Allison and others.

The Constitution was her sister ship and carried Grace Kelly to her waiting Prince in Monaco.
Both ships are nostalgic and were the first ships to fly the American Flag in Hawaii.
I have many fond memories of working on the Indy and I’m sorry to see her go.

By: Jonathan Haeber

Jonathan Haeber — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 03:33:54 +0000

F. Llanos,
Such incredible experiences. It almost makes me wish that I had your childhood. Thanks for contributing your memories.

By: F. Llanos

F. Llanos — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:13:45 +0000

My dad worked a cabin steward and later as an bartender on the Independence, the Constitution and the Atlantic from 1956 to 1964. As a 4 or 5 year old, my dad would bring me onboard when at port (NYC) and I literally had the run of the ship. I ate whatever I wanted (mostly delicious cookies) ran up a down the decks as if were my special playground and always left the ship with tons of miniature world flags and other keepsakes. These were majestic ladies of the sea, being smaller than the humongous Cunard and French Line ships they provided top flight service on a more “intimate” level. Their ports of call; New York, Boston, Halifax, Santa Cruz, Madeira, Casablanca, Lisbon, C�diz, Algeciras, Gibraltar, Barcelona, Palma, Cannes, Genoa, Leghorn, Naples, Messina, Palermo, Piraeus, Alexandria, Beirut and Haifa were and are fabulous destinations. Today’s ships are just TOO LARGE, a lot of the magic gets lost when you are afloat with 3,500 plus other passengers.

By: Jon Haeber

Jon Haeber — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:57:27 +0000

Thank you so much for your stories, Bill. Memories like yours help keep the ship in our memory, majestic as she was (perhaps the most beautiful ship to cruise).

By: Bill B.

Bill B. — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 00:52:41 +0000

I will never forget, as a 9 year old standing at the railing of the forward part of the Sun Deck watching as the Independence entered the ports of Santa Cruz (Canary Islands), Naples, Genoa, Cannes, Barcelona, Casablanca (especially) and Maderia, and then back to New York. But the best time was the five days over and the five days back and the people on board. When? well more people still went to Europe by ship and John Kennedy was the president. The movies played on board were Ben Hur, Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation, The Devil at Four O’Clock. No salvage company can take that away.

By: Cheryl B

Cheryl B — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:42:30 +0000

Hello,

I have sailed on the Indy over 2 dozen times, she was my ship of choice, a grand lovely lady. I almost cried when I saw the photos of her sitting in SFO harbour. I agree that NCL deserves whatever comes their way. Eric, I was also on the 2000 cruise into Pearl, I videoed the ceremonies. Also I said on NCL “Pride” of Aloha in 2004 and must agree that it was the worst cruise I ever had taken. It wasn’t because it wasn’t the Indy, the service was bad, the food average and below average. We actually were basically training the waitstaff at our table.

I am pretty sure that the Indy is NOT in Alang. Who knows, maybe she will be back, miracles do happen.

By: Eric L

Eric L — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:56:33 +0000

Indy is NOT beached in alang. right now she is in port in dubai india where there is news that there are partys interested in purchasing her and keeping her intact. will post more as i get it

By: Gorkle

Gorkle — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:10:52 +0000

The satellite photo of Alang on Google Maps shows shows a cruise liner with what might be two funnels. Could that be the Independence? I don’t know how often google refreshes its photos.

By: Jonathan Haeber

Jonathan Haeber — Sun, 11 May 2008 19:10:27 +0000

I had been hearing rumors. It really is the end of an era…

By: Whole Wheat Toast

Whole Wheat Toast — Sun, 11 May 2008 00:59:18 +0000

Bad news. It got beached in Alang on April 29th.