The Last Ocean Liners

American President Lines

President Cleveland / President Wilson / President Roosevelt

 

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American President Lines The American President Lines express service to the Far East was operated primarily by the two class President Cleveland and President Wilson. They were shining symbols of post war American technology, design and style. Their 1940s moderne First class public rooms and pool occupied the entire Promenade Deck, while Economy class had a lounge, veranda and pool aft on the lower decks.

The twin ocean liners were particularly popular with tourists, government and military personnel and migrants enroute from Asia to the United States.

American President Lines Beginning in 1962, President Cleveland and President Wilson were assisted by the President Roosevelt, which had been converted from the troopship General W.P. Richardson to the passenger liner La Guardia for American Export Lines, then to Leilani before being sold to American President Lines in 1960. She was upgraded to an all First class ocean liner with an unusually spacious layout which offered many single cabins and a private bath in every stateroom. Public spaces included the Starlight Room, swimming pool and lido on Sun Deck, the Pacific Lounge, cocktail lounge, game room and Roosevelt room on Promenade Deck and dining room on Main Deck. All three ships were fitted with full air-conditioning and stabilizers.

American President Lines The American President Lines ocean liners normally sailed from San Francisco to Honolulu (5 days), Yokohama (13 days), Hong Kong (17 days) and Manila (19 days), with the return voyage via the same ports. The round trip was 39 days, but could be slightly longer when additional ports were added in the off seasons.

American President Lines Upon retirement of the combination passenger and cargo liners President Polk and President Monroe in 1965, the President Roosevelt took over the around-the-world ocean liner service. By the late 1960s, American President Lines had begun to experiment with more creative itineraries to Asia and cruising in the Pacific including Mexico, Alaska and Hawaii.

American President Lines "After a few days of sun and sea air - enjoyed in a deck chair, in the swimming pool and on the deck courts - you'll find yourself without a care or tension in the world. This is the best part of life aboard a President liner - the wonderful lift you get from your days at sea. Then, almost too soon, a new incense flavors the air. The exciting sweep of a foreign land looms upon the horizon."


Sample minimum one-way fares from San Francisco to Honolulu: First class $250; Economy class $165; from San Francisco to Manila: First class $645; Economy class $445; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars.


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President Cleveland (American President Lines) 1947
President Cleveland American President Lines
Built: 1947 by Bethlehem SB, Alameda CA, USA Gross tons: 18962 Length: 609ft (186m) Width: 75ft (23m) Draft: 30ft (9m) Speed: 20kn Power: 20000 shp Propulsion: Steam turbo electric twin screw Passengers: 324 First 454 Economy End of service: Sold 1973 as Oriental President; scrapped 1974
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President Wilson (American President Lines) 1948
President Wilson American President Lines
Built: 1948 by Bethlehem SB, Alameda CA, USA Gross tons: 18962 Length: 609ft (186m) Width: 75ft (23m) Draft: 30ft (9m) Speed: 20kn Power: 20000 shp Propulsion: Steam turbo electric twin screw Passengers: 324 First 454 Economy End of service: Sold 1973 as Oriental Empress; scrapped 1984
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President Roosevelt (American President Lines) 1944
President Roosevelt American President Lines
Built: 1944 by Federal SB & DD, Kearny NJ, USA Gross tons: 18920 Length: 622ft (190m) Width: 75ft (23m) Draft: 27ft (8m) Speed: 19kn Power: 18700 shp Propulsion: Steam turbines twin screw Passengers: 456 First End of service: Sold 1970 as Atlantis then Emerald Seas then Ocean Explorer I; scrapped 2005
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