This page has been created in remembrance to all those wonderful people that have worked on board in any position or capacity, either on the S|S France or the S|S Norway as an officer, staff or crew member. If you would like to share your story with us, we kindly invite you to please let us know.
Please send us an e-mail with information on when you worked on the ship, any special memories from this (these) contract(s) and we will add them on this page as a tribute to the ship. Please also include your rank, cabin number if you still can recall, and any other particular events, including perhaps a photograph or two…
SS Norway Norwegian fire fighters, with Chief Fire Fighter Svein Gramstad in white.
Photo by Jan-Olav Storli, dated July 1990.
S|S FRANCE
Awaiting your information....
S|S NORWAY
Awaiting your information....
Larry Newman (Musician): 1985 - 1986
> I love your website. Such great memories. I played trumpet on the Norway in 1985-1986. Please visit my website and salute this great ship at www.childrensmusicworkshop.com/ssnorway
Roald Einan (Plumber and Second Engineer): 1981 - 1987
> I served 6 years on the Norway as a second engineer from 81 to 87 as plumber, and a lot of good memories from this time.
Troll Tobben (Chief Pilot): Summer 1984 - ??
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Svein Christensen (First Officer):
> Hello Jan-Olav. i am happy to see that you have made the ship the favour and made a great photo galerie.As you and i know, this is a lady to remember. I have lots of good memories from my life on board, as i served as 1.officer. I allso made lots of good friends onboard who i stil have contact with, like you Jan. Bra du har udodelig gjort Norway. Spennende å folge henne videre. godt hun ble stoppet for det ble spiker. Keep on giveing us photos.
Thomas Axelsen (First Officer): March 1996 - August 1997
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Svein Lillevik (First Officer Jr.): July 2000 - June 2001
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Geir-Endre Johansen (First Officer): 1996
> Hello there Jan Olav, long time no see. Guess it was here in HOnningsvåg in 2005 when You was here with one of the Crystal ships i spoke a few words with yOu on the radio. I really like ther pics of The Norway You have gathered. If there's something in my life there's missing, is the Years I spent onboard there. For sure. It's a national scandal that a ship with such a uniqe story are sent to scrapping. Do You remember the problems with MCA in Southampton after drydock in -96? Anyway,it would be nice to hear from You and what You are doing now. I see You have left the sea, so what's Your mission now?? Looking forward to hear from You.
Jan-Olav Storli (GPCII/ Utility, First Officer, Safety Officer): June - August 1990, June 1993 - April 1997.
> My story and connection can be read other places her on CaptainsVoyage.com
Gunnar Reiersen (Boatswain): 1980 - 1987
> An exellent website. Many fine pictures. I was a boatswain on the SS "Norway" for seven years. As long as she had a norwegian flag on her stern. I have many good memories from those years, 1980 - 1987.
Brenda Ryder (Ship’s Nurse):
> Hi Jan! Hvordan er De min venn? I was so excited to find your site after browsing through the photos on the "ssnorway.no" site. It has been a trip down memory lane, and it makes me very sad to see what has become of her. I especially enjoyed seeing the photos of the Crew Bar even if it is in such awful disrepair - it really brought back so many wonderful and funny memories! I only wish the "ssnorway.no" site or your site had some photos of the Medical Department - Joy, Dorothy and I would love to see what it looks like now! I have dozens, if not hundreds of photos of the Norway taken during the 4 years I called her home - inside, outside, sailing, during drydocks in Newport News and Southampton, and I have always meant to scan them. Perhaps this will give me the impetus to finally do so. But I would like to share them with other fans of the Norway. If you are interested in using them please let me know. You can contact me through the Crew Newsletter website - crewnewsletter.cc Goodbyt og tar bekymring Jan Olav!
Derinda (Ship’s Nurse): 1999 - 2001
> Hello, I too have been touched by the S/S Norway. I was a ship's nurse from early 1999 through 2001. Some of the most exciting years of my life. I am so saddened by her plight.
Jarle (Firefighter): 2001, 2003 and 2005
> Thanks for nice web site with a lot of history.I have been working for a short while for NCL. I was one mounth on the nice ship S/S Norway as firefighter in 2001 and also nine months on M/S Majesty. Many good memories and nice days in the sun.I have also been one month in 2003 and 2005 as a vacation reliver firefighter.Nice to se familier names on the guest book like olav gustad. I am working as a firefighter shoreside in Bergen. I are a good friend of Tor Finnvik as you now from earlier.
Finn Skorge (Supply Officer): 1998 - 2004
> Supply Officer onboard the S/S Norway 1998 - 2004.
Roald Einan (Plumber): 1981 - 1987
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Bjørn Kåle (Electrical Engineer): 1990 - 1991 and 2001 - 2003
> The grand old blue laidy deserwe something better than be turned down on a beach in the fare east!!. She had given mee a little part of her sole the time i svetting whit here down in caribia but i never forget her S/S Norway is one of a cind and i miss the grand lady.
Sverre Eriksen (Second Engineer): 1981 - 1987
> Served 6 years on the Norway as a second engineer from 81 to 87 mostly in deck machinery as life boats, tenderboats winches for lifeboats, had an accident in launching Little Norway 1 in St. Martin in 87. Had a sicklive for one year cause of that. Best time i ever had at sea, working with the plumbers all around the ship was insperating, such a good tone.
Lourdes Pangilinan Lillevik (Cruise Staff/ Hostess): May 2000 - August 2001
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Paul Puppo (JAR Crew / Lighting Technician): 1997 - 1998
> Thank you Jan-Olav. I really enjoyed the pictures of the s/s Norway. I worked on board as part of the JAR crew in the Saga Theatre. I was the Lighting Technician 1997 - 1998. I'm terible with names, but I don't think I ever bumped in to you. I am sickened by what has happened (is happeneing) to the Norway. At least she will sail the seas, proud and true, in our memories. Thanks.
Jeff Savagian (Musician): November 1980 - September 1984
> Was a musician on board SS Norway from 11/80 - 9/84. Met many incredible people thru the Norway including my wife.
Christina Kristoffersen (Casino): 1990
> I worked in the casino on the Norway 1990 on and off till 99, RV Sky, Sun, Queen. Now living in St. Tropez watching the cruise ships sail by, some do call in to port here. Get many ship mates come to our crew bar. Was invited on the crystal and the world to visit. Sailing on the Queen Mary next, but as a passenger...see how the other half live. Great site. Be over in Oslo in the new year to see my Norwegian friends.
Laurie Furtado (Position not known): Summer 1987
> Thanks for your tribute to the SS Norway! I worked on the SS Norway during the summer of 1987.
Scott Kinney (Shore Excursion):
> I feel so lucky to have discovered your website today! And, you look so familiar! Jan-Olav, perhaps we were friends many years ago! I worked as Shore Excursions Manager for both NCL and Royal Viking Line back in the mid-1980s thru approx 1994 (with one year during this period spent with Princess Cruises). But NCL and RVL were and still are my first loves, although since those days I've worked onboard the QE2, and was later Travel Manager for 5 years with Seabourn, and most recently another 5 years with Silversea. I hope this important website will help to bring together old friends from those glory days of NCL and RVL. I would love to hear from anyone who might remember working with me back in those wonderful days! Jan-Olav, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU for taking the time and effort to put this website together! Thank you!
Walter (Position not known): 1979 - 1982
> Hi from the M/S Norwegian Dream I was on the Norway from 1979 to 1982 one of the first crew members.
Steinar Hoybakk (Position not known): ...
> Thanks for this page Jan , from a former co worker on Norway and Royal Viking Sun
Marianne Forrest-Loveless (Position not known): 1980 - 1984
> I worked onboard S/S Norway from 1980 - 1984-Some of the best friends and memories of my life-Love to you all.
Mary Haws (Position not known): 1985 - 1986
> As a former crew member on the Norway(85-86) and having first fell in love with her in 82, I can relate to your passion. It was, and is a mystery, but I am ever greatful I had the experience, especially meeting my Finnish husband of 18 years who was also a crew member! Thanks for the ride down memory Lane!
Cedric (Position not known):
> Hi Jan Olav... A big thank you for your outstanding website. I did work a year on the s/s Norway and she is definitely by best experience ever made at sea. That was really great and I'll never forget her ! Happy sailing ! Cheers.
> Paul Harbun (Casino Dealer): 1993-1994
I served on her as a casino dealer for two contracts in 1993 and 1994 (either side of her Newport News dry dock, which as I remember was September 1993). Later served on the Dreamward, New York - Bermuda (summer season 1994), before transferring to sister line Royal Cruise Line's MV Royal Odyssey.
Lived on Biscayne deck, starboard aft, eventually having cabin 1035. As I remember this was two or three portholes aft of the rear starboard tender docking station. This station was used regularly on a Friday when anchored off Great Stirrup Cay (Private Island), and one had to be careful to be decent when coming out of the shower into the cabin, as passengers on the upper deck of Little Norway 1 or 2 docked alongside, had a clear view through my porthole, straight into my cabin. Whoops !
Wonderful ship. By far the best I ever worked on. Being casino staff meant I enjoyed pretty much passenger status, with very few restrictions on where I could go onboard. Night club was out of bounds, as was the small bar (Windjammer I think) up on the Avenue des Champs Elysee (which as best I can remember was Olympic deck - one deck up from the casino). Midnight buffet along there was huge, and always such an incredibly impressive sight. We casino staff were allowed to partake only after 0030 hrs, as I remember. Used to eat regularly at the buffet in both the Windward (what a room !) and Leeward dining rooms. I remember Sven's Ice Cream Parlour on Olympic deck, port-side forward. The guy working there was a filipino. I was probably his best customer. Loved the frozen yoghurt, well it's fat free !
Crew bar was superb. We used to visit the ship's bakery during the early hours and take as many Danish's, and other cakes, as we could scrounge / bribe back to the room adjacent to the crew bar, or out on the aft rope deck, to enjoy with our drinks. Late at night Mr Noodles would set-up his operation in the large crew mess on Biscayne deck. This was a favourite of the casino staff. For a few dollars you could enjoy a large bowl of spicy noodles with poached eggs and bread rolls. Very popular, as I remember even Officers would hang-out down there.
I remember Victor (from Holland) who ran the crew shop (Biscayne deck, port-side, forward), and I think Daniel, who was a bartender in the crew bar.
Chinese laundry one or two decks down from Biscayne (Caribbean or Dolphin I think) was always an amazing sight. I used to marvel at how busy, and incredibly efficient, they were when I'd go there to collect my perfectly pressed work shirts. Never saw them anywhere else on the ship. They kept to themselves, and always had Chinese food on the go down there.
Fondly remember Troll Tobben up on the Bridge. Always made me laugh that he wore his own Crew Card with his photo on it.
Have wonderful memories of being ferried ashore, and back home, aboard Little Norway 1 and Little Norway 2. St Maarten on a Tuesday was (and still is) my favourite island in the whole Caribbean. Norway used to look so impressive anchored offshore there. St John (USVI) was nice on a Wednesday, if you could get out of bed early. Most of the time I arose later and took the tender ashore in Charlotte Armalie, St Thomas. Friday was fun going ashore as we'd hit the beach on Great Stirrup Cay and as the tender's loading ramp dropped down we crew members would storm ashore, like a Normandy beach landing, closely followed by the passengers as soon they realised what was happening.
I fondly remember the Christmas Cruise of 1993. Thirteen or fourteen days I think. Visited quite a few places the Norway didn't usually visit. Can't remember them all, or the exact order, but we went to Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, Martinique.
Mike Caldwell (Assistant Purser): 1983-1984
I was an Assistant Purser onboard the Norway from 1983-84. Got promoted to Second Purser when the infamous cashless bar system was put into place and transferred to the MS Southward. At that time Mike Pagella was the Chief Purser and his wife was the Gift Shop Manager. Regards, Mike Caldwell, Great Falls, Montana
Odd Asle Borlaug (First Officer): May 2000 - October 2000
I worked as First Officer jr an First Officer on the SS Norway between May 2000 and Oct 2000. Don't remember my cabin number, but it was on the Olympic deck port side up front close to the Chief Officer cabin. I made many good friends during this period and i look at is as my best job ever.
