SONG OF NORWAY

Royal CaribbeanShips Traveled OnCruise Ships
Written By Sean Glumace

March 1990 | 7 Day Caribbean Cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico

My very first cruise was a seven-day Caribbean voyage aboard Song of Norway (Royal Caribbean Cruise Line), sailing round-trip from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Though I only have a few photos from that trip, the memories remain vivid—standing on deck while skeet shooting at sea and posing in front of the ship while visiting St. Maarten. It was the experience that began my lifelong fascination with ships and ocean travel.

As one of Royal Caribbean’s pioneering vessels, Song of Norway represented a turning point in modern cruising. Her unique forward-facing Viking Crown Lounge, perched high above the bridge, became an iconic feature later repeated across the fleet. For many travelers in the 1970s through early 1990s, she embodied the excitement and elegance of Caribbean cruising’s golden era.

Information List

  • Name: Song of Norway

  • Operator: Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

  • Year Launched: 1970

  • Shipyard: Wärtsilä, Helsinki, Finland

  • Length: 581 feet (177 meters)

  • Beam: 79 feet (24 meters)

  • Tonnage: 18,416 GT (after lengthening)

  • Capacity: 1,024 passengers (after refit)

  • Crew: Approximately 400

  • Flag: Norway (at time of service)

  • Facilities Include: Viking Crown Lounge, two swimming pools, dining room, theater, casino, and observation lounge

History and Features

Launch and Design:
Delivered in 1970, Song of Norway was Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s first ship and the foundation of the company’s success. She was designed specifically for Caribbean cruising—something revolutionary at the time—with large open decks, stabilizers for comfort, and air conditioning throughout.

Refit and Lengthening:
In 1978, the ship was cut in half and lengthened by 85 feet (26 meters) at Wärtsilä shipyard in Finland, increasing her passenger capacity and adding new amenities. This refit modernized her profile and extended her service life for another two decades.

Service and Voyages:
Song of Norway spent most of her career cruising the Caribbean from San Juan and Miami, introducing thousands of travelers to Royal Caribbean’s brand of modern resort-style cruising. She later sailed for Sun Cruises and other operators under different names.

Legacy:
Although small by today’s standards, Song of Norway remains one of the most significant ships in cruise history. She helped define the modern cruising experience and set the stage for Royal Caribbean’s innovative fleet that followed. For me, she will always represent where my love of ships truly began.

Sean Glumace

Sean Glumace, Chief Operating Officer at 2CPR Group, possesses over 25 years of experience in industry and education advocacy, pathway creation, curriculum, industry certification, and content for the classroom.

Having taught at the high school, college, and university levels, he also played an instrumental role as one of the Statewide K-14 Pathways Technical Assistance Providers in driving the success of the Doing What MATTERS initiative under the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office.

https://www.glumace.com
Next

QUEEN ELIZABETH