Ajax news (QE2 & Norway together - 26th July 1984)

[Waverley]

Another photo from Ajax news. Taken at Southampton on 26th July 1984.
At that time showing the world’s largest liners. The Norway (ex France) 70,202 grt and QE2 67,140 grt.
Just wondering, what is the gross tonnage of today’s largest liner as a comparison?

[Rob Lightbody]

Just wondering, what is the gross tonnage of today’s largest liner as a comparison?

These 2 great liners, the last true Transatlantic liners (in my view), surely between them were a huge factor leading to what your question implies - the subsequent explosion in the number of large - then huge -then gigantic cruise ships that were so successful (until the pandemic)

Historic photo

[Michael Gallagher]

The current holder in terms of Gross Tonnage is Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas at 227,625 tons but she is expected to be beaten by her sister, Wonder of the Seas, next year!

[Michael Gallagher]

Some more shots from that historic day in Southampton.

[Rob Lightbody]

For this original (?) incarnation of The Norway, apart from the paint, what exterior changes should I be able to see to differentiate her from France ?

[Thomas Hypher]

For this original (?) incarnation of The Norway, apart from the paint, what exterior changes should I be able to see to differentiate her from France ?

Enlarged bridge windows, the tender spaces for Little Norway 1 & 2 with a forward mast built just ahead on the foredeck (all in place of the original forward hold and kingposts on SS France), the completely new aft decks with overhang, the addition of an extra radar mast on her monkey island just in front of the signal mast, and a different arrangement midships between the funnels as I seem to recall a swimming pool was fitted where her famous first class open patio was.

[Thomas Hypher]

Another photo from Ajax news. Taken at Southampton on 26th July 1984.
At that time showing the world’s largest liners. The Norway (ex France) 70,202 grt and QE2 67,140 grt.
Just wondering, what is the gross tonnage of today’s largest liner as a comparison?

QM2 is still the largest ocean liner! But as Michael says the largest (pure) cruise ship would be whichever is the latest of the Oasis of the Sea class as they come in at around just over 225,000 GRT compared to QM2's nearly 150,000 GRT!

[Michael Gallagher]

The extent of the new aluminium and steel additions to the exterior

[June Ingram]

Can't stand Norway's funnels, never have liked them (just my taste).

[Peter Mugridge]

I was there that day as well!

The meeting of the two ships had been well publicised in the press in advance.

In my third picture, note the unusual deck overhang at the stern of the Norway.

[Waverley]

Great to see these photos.
I quite liked the Norway’s funnels.
Here is a QE2 funnel photo that I have not seen before.
1987?

[Thomas Hypher]

I was there that day as well!

The meeting of the two ships had been well publicised in the press in advance.

In my third picture, note the unusual deck overhang at the stern of the Norway.

Nice to see one of the RVS sisters, the "mini QE2's" present too. Sadly two of the three, Boudicca and Albatros are now being scrapped at Aliaga and Alang respectively with the third, Black Watch, set to follow soon. All great photos of a special day!

[Peter Mugridge]

Nice to see one of the RVS sisters, the "mini QE2's" present too. Sadly two of the three, Boudicca and Albatros are now being scrapped at Aliaga and Alang respectively with the third, Black Watch, set to follow soon. All great photos of a special day!

Well spotted.

It's the Royal Viking Sky herself in that picture. 

I only really included that one because of the detail of Norway's unusual stern decks layout.

[Thomas Hypher]

Great to see these photos.
I quite liked the Norway’s funnels.
Here is a QE2 funnel photo that I have not seen before.
1987?

Yes, early 1987 getting towards the end of the re-engining refit as QE2 has had her time in the drydock behind the photographer getting stripped out and getting her new heart installed all through where the funnel was. The rebuilt funnel is being placed over the new set of exhaust uptakes, I seem to recall using one of, if not the largest barge cranes in the world at the time to do the lift.

[Thomas Hypher]

Can't stand Norway's funnels, never have liked them (just my taste).

Apparently the wings had corroded badly by the later stages of her seagoing life - one of the reasons NCL re-routed and fitted new exhaust pipes through the tops of each funnel - additions which looked quite ungainly in my opinion.