I sailed on the Constitution and the Independence, both of which are forever etched into my memory. I said on them several times in the 1950s as a child traveling with my family on assignment to Europe. My brother and I loved exploring the ships and I will also remember looking up at the funnels and being in awe as I was of the ship overall. I had a chance to tour the Constitution in 1984 while it was in Honolulu. How small it had become, but I captured a few memories and loved the ship as I had before. Thank you so much for this video and your others. I cherish my trips across the Atlantic on the Constitution, Independence, Atlantic, and the United States.

Although I never sailed on the SS Constitution, it was in my life until 1994. My father was waiter on that ship from 1953 until 1967. In 1962, I was nine years old, with my younger brother and mother, visiting her family in Milan and Venice where she was from. We traveled to Genova to meet my father who was arriving onboard the SS Constitution. My father retired from American Export Lines. A few years later, my mother passed away. My father remarried and then several years later took that Hawaiian cruise with his second wife. I was stationed at Coast Guard Base Honolulu on my 19th and 20th years in the Coast Guard, 1992 - 1994. The Constitution and Independence were docked right across from where I worked. In all those years, only a few times I went aboard to meet my father on the return trips to New York where we lived. Thankyou Peter for the video tour of the SS Constitution. Peter Costa

Great video. Love the ship. Sadly so many people these days used to bells and whistles on new builds would turn their noses up at public rooms and cabins like this. Such character. Such fun.

I was in College on Oahu from 1992-1995, I used to love watching these ships come and go. Something about a classic ocean liner compared to a modern cruise ship that stirs the soul! Thank you for this intimate look!

I was a passenger on Independence in Dec 2000 and not only did I spend my birthday on board, but I landed in Honolulu the day before sailing during the presidential election crisis going on at the time and spent much of that day watching tv. I was SO glad I made the trip when I did, me and my Sharpe ViewCam, because the ship was gone not long after. I'll never forget looking down from the tender along side the ship and seeing very clearly the port side propeller and the rudder. If you stood on the docking bridge and looked down , you could see the prop spinning while Independence was under way. Lastly, I made the trip from Ft. Lauderdale to Hawaii on another soon to be gone classic-TWA!

This was so wonderful to watch this morning from the front porch of our home 30 years after returning from our honeymoon on the Constitution. Thank you

I actually worked on SS Constitution on this cruise & so THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH for posting your blessed cruise!

I sailed on the Independence in 1981 when I was 11, with my parents. It was such a great holiday. We had a week on the cruise and then went to Maui the second week. I remember being excited seeing the ship the following week when we were in Maui and it was anchored off Lahaina. My dad and I played against another father/son in a table tennis competition. The ship had nowhere near the entertainment options modern liners have today but it didn’t matter and things were simpler 40 years ago. Good times 🙂. I also won/given a framed etching of the ship which I had for years and I think I still do somewhere in my garage. As a kid, I always thought that this was a ship should look like. Thanks for sharing and bringing back great memories.

Peter, there are not enough words to thank you for this video. As a former employee, serving on both the Constitution & Independence ('83-'91), I feel like you transported me home. I so loved these sister ships! I learned a few new things from your wonderful encounters onboard and so enjoyed your adventures, as well and the adoration you expressed for both ships. I would not trade one minute I had working onboard...best time of my life!!! I will come back to visit this video many times again. Thank you so much for sharing!!

The video brought back wonderful memories of my trips around the Hawaiian islands onboard Independence and Constitution. They were such lovely ships. On a side note their designer Henry Dreyfuss owned a beautiful mid- century estate in South Pasadena, CA. The estate is owned by my dentist and his dental offices are in the former Dreyfuss studios where many iconic Dreyfuss designs were created.

Thanks for posting this… It was a real treat! I spent about 3 1/2 years bouncing back-and-forth between the Connie and the Indy as an entertainer in the early 90s. I have a bit of video of the shows that I was in but only still photos of the inside and outside of the ships… it was a great trip down memory lane watching this! Thanks, again! :-)

GREAT VIDEO...i SAILED ON THE INDEPENDENCE BACK IN THE MID 80'S REALLY ENJOYED EXPLORING THE SHIP...i HAD VISITED ONBOARD HER BACK IN THE 60'S WHEN SHE WAS STILL SAILING FOR AMERICAN EXPORT. I HAVE A FEW "SOUVENIRS" FROM MY VISIT THAT DAY! .

In 1992, I joined the Constitution as a roast and grill steak cook where I stayed for two years. While you were filming this in December 1994, I was recovering from an injury I sustained aboard the Independence awaiting to go back to the Constitution once I healed. Later to be surprised by the company placing me back on the Independence where I stayed until 1997 since they "sold" the Connie. Good times I had on those ships.

We cruised to Italy on the SS Constitution in 1955, I as just a boy. My father was being transferred to Udune, Italy in the USAF. I just finished reading a post card he wrote to my grandparents documenting the cruise date of July 25th 1955. The fold out postcard image was of both sister ships, SS Constitution & SS Independence. My baby sister had a cold frome the AC my father mentions, (the two liners were first liners to be equipped with AC the PC said). My father said the service was wonderful, they even made up my baby sister's baby formula for my mother. The postcard was cancelled in Gibraltar it had two stamps on the postcard a womens royal image above a Ocean Going Liner anchored in the Mediterranean Sea in front of the Rock of Gibraltar. I appreciate your visual tour of the "Connie" Peter. I was two small to remember but I do brag that I once sailed on the SS Constitution soon after it was built as did Princesses Grace.

I don't think I'll ever live to see it but I honestly hope one day the classic liner profile will come back in full beautiful Glory

Amazing footage as always. Also thank you for capturing her voice. Both Independence and Constitution were lovely ships.

I can’t thank you enough for that one. I sailed on the Constitution in 1992. It was only my second cruise. I was fully aware of her history (Grace Kelley; “I Love Lucy” etc) when I stepped onboard. To say I was thrilled at that moment would be an understatement. I no longer have our home movies of that trip (or my partner, now an ex😏), so watching your video was the next best thing. In fact, I was so moved by the islands that less than 10 years later, I moved to Kauai. Thanks again!!

Thank you so much for recording and assembling this! Today's mega-ships have so much more in the way of amenities, but the sense of being on a ship is often lost.

Peter, Thank you so much for this. Watching this brought both a smile to my face and tears to my eyes. How fortunate I was to have sailed those lovely islands aboard the Independence in September 1995. Yes, she had those garish colours on her funnels, many of her boats were gone and the interiors were Hawaiianised but still she was simply magnificent. Due to a medical emergency on board she steamed fast overnight to Kona and showed that if necessary that old lady still had a good turn of speed in her. I'll never forget looking back at her funnels, the smoke streaming behind her. We got an engine room tour too and went along shaft alley. I think they made a bit of a fuss over us, being the only British passengers aboard. Thanks again for reminding us that 'they don't make them like that any more.'

Thanks for taking us along with you.

I always enjoy watching your videos of cruising past. It’s a shame we lost all these classics and even now we are at risk of losing smaller vessels. In 1995 a family friend was teaching English as a second language aboard ships in Florida. My grandmother and mother were set to join the ship as passengers but unfortunately the cruise line defaulted and they lost there deposits. I imagine they would of been on one of the ships you’ve filmed. Mom can’t remember the name I just remember it was 1995 as I was 17 and threw a fit that my brother had to stay with me that week. They went to Florida anyway. My grandmother never sailed and my mom didn’t get to until 2005 when I had the opportunity to go so I took her. She enjoyed herself immensely and we have been many many times since mostly on Royal Caribbean (Carnival first). She is now 80 and we have two cruises set this year one on Oasis and another on Vision of the Seas. We have done Christmas cruises. The Oasis will be our first mega ship. However we enjoy the smaller ships personally. Hopefully in 2024 we can try a Celebrity cruise as we are both at a age the less children the better now. My niece won’t go even when we offered to go Disney she’s afraid of sharks. One might bite through the ship. Perhaps she will go when she gets older and cruise with us. I promised my mom 2 a year as long as she is able. Thankfully we live near a cruise port in Baltimore and can travel to NJ, NY and VA (come on Philadelphia). Her bucket trip is Panama Canal so we will either do a partial from Florida or one way from California to Florida. I plan to move to Florida when I retire so I can cruise. By then the ships I sailed on will be memories. Carnival Victory has already been renamed. I so wish I had the opportunity to have had sailed on a former ocean liner it looked so nostalgic. We have sailed to Bahamas we don’t even get off the ship. Our vacation is the ship the rest is a bonus. Thank you for documenting history

Thank you so much for this video! I worked on the SS Constitution and SS Independence in the 90’s and was working in the Pursers Office during your cruise. I don’t have any video from my time on the ships only pictures. There is now video I can share with my kids. Look forward to seeing the rest of your footage from the ships.

Talking about memories , i worked both ships 80/ 86 as a bartender great times , the stories i could tell you about c deck ,,,smile,,,

I was on this ship in 1968, my dad worked on the ship as a band member. We sailed to Puerto Rico.

How very special...this footage is priceless...she's just beautiful...iconic...thank you...

Just rewatched this. What a joyful walk down memory lane. They were really kept up nicely till that time. Such a shame she missed out on the refit and extra service time. 💔

I love the stern and lovely big and low aft deck. The wonderful days before on-board bumper cars, mini shopping malls and skating ring extravaganzas! Just the pleasures of open air, sun, trade winds and inspiring ship architecture.

I worked on the Indy and the Connie from Christmas Eve of 1993 to Christmas eve of 1994. You began filming this video literally the day I left the ship and flew back to Florida.

Thank you Peter! That brought back vivid memories of my 6 months aboard her as a Jr. Assistant Purser. I, like you, relished the tender rides and even docking in Hilo, any way to get views of this classic ship. And as you said, she was beautiful from every angle. But the counter stern was the feature that I most admired. Thanks again!

Hi Peter, I was actually on board with you... I was one of the entertainers on board! Great job and wonderful to reminisce my first few years in the industry on board some magnificent liners. I am still working in the industry with Four Seasons Yachts.

Mom and I had the honor of Sailing on the Golden Princess, both times was so much fun and remember seeing the Connie a few times when in Hawaii Thank you Peter

Many thanks for posting this wonderful video and tour .

Great job, Peter! Thoroughly enjoyed a stroll down memory lane. I wish you could have seen the solarium/gym in the 80s. It was an intimate piano lounge, but it was hard to find by the passengers and did not get much use. It was a hidden gem. We would go up there during sail away and watch the Honolulu city lights while floating by. I too loved when both ships were at Aloha tower. Very special time in my life! Look forward to your “top to bottom” tour! Let me know if you need any photos for filler. Best, Steven.

Sailed July 1990 - what a great experience!

I was born and raised on Kauai and I do remember watching bot independence and constitution sail in and out of Nawiliwili during the 80's.

Kudos to Peter Knego for thoroughly documenting and actually vlogging in an era where KZfaq and smartphones were unthinkable. I love photos from classic ships, but live video gives you much more sense on the look and especially the feel of those vessels.

I worked on the Conny in 1995. Last trip for the Conny was in 1995. And I seem to remember this particular trip as the order of stops was different that usual.

Thank you Peter for another trip on a classic liner!

Well done video,,,,, They were such beautiful ships to grace Hawaii...... A tear came to my eye as Indy arrived at Alameda, Calif. from Hawaii for transfer of custody the US Maritime Administration. As I stood on the pier when she arrived, she looked tiered, and worn. there boilers secured for the last time. Our shipyard in Alameda prepared her for temp lay up, and destoring of provisions, then eventually towed to the reserve fleet in Suisun Bay.

I like the 'Titanic' stern, and I still have my SX-70 camera. I don't use it now, but it's still a cool, iconic camera I've had since 1974.

Another great video to unwind after work to peter. As always great job.

❤ the Independence was my 3rd cruise ship. 2001 ❤ beautiful video ❤

Poor Peter & his fear of heights. Peter, my dad says the thing that scares him the most of when he’s at the top of a giant cliff or the top of a Ferris wheel or whatever that he feels an almost irresistible urge to throw himself off the top of it, which I later learned is incredibly common.

Thank you for sharing this video. It brings back memories of when I used to work on the Independence back in 1981 as a waiter and later as cabin steward. I enjoyed working on that ship and met a lot of nice and wonderful people! …Another lifetime ago.

Great shots, thanks for sharing! Brought back memories of my one and only AHC cruise, aboard INDEPENDENCE, in 1985. To this date, one of my most memorable voyages!

As promised, I watched the video this afternoon and I again wished my late husband and I would have flown to Hawaii and sailed on her or on INDEPENDENCE. This video was so good. I should have also done what you did with the tender when I sailed on the NORWAY. That was a good idea. Also how ironic to have worn a T-shirt from the ACHILLE LAURO during a lifeboat drill. Loved seeing the rooms. Now waiting for the Deck by Deck. ❤️❤️

Thank you so much for posting this video. My wife and I took out very first cruise in Hawaii on the Constitution. I have some still pictures of our trip, but no video; now I do. What's even better, we had the same style outside cabin (#432 on Bali Deck). The foldout bunk beds, the round shower, even the same colors. What great memories. Sadly my wife passed away in 2021, but know I have video memories to reflect on and show my grand-childern. My on my best memories is the two sister ships "passing in the night" the Hilo to Kona overnight cruise south of the Big island. Thanks again!

great video Peter! thanks for sharing!

Independence and Constitution were such wonderful old ships. Shame we'd never see anything like that again. They sure wore their age and refits well. True classics. In your collection of wonderfully documented old liners do you have any of the 1960s era Italian ships? My first cruise was Celebrity's Meridian and while I tried to document her as best I could, I was using an old relic of a video camera that to call cranky and prone to misbehaving would be polite so the end result was... lackluster.

Thanks for the wonderful show. It’s a joy to see these gorgeous liners in their latter days.

Appreciate you documenting these classic old girls before they are lost to the cutters torch.

Thank you so much, nice memories of sailing on SS Independence. This was delightful what great American cruise ships. ❤️🌹❤️

Wtf… why have I just found your channel? If I was to make a KZfaq channel this would be it…! Thank you Peter xxx

Beautiful Voyage 🌴

I sailed on the Constitution in 1986. She was truly beautiful.

Another fantastic job, Peter! I've always regretted not sailing on one of the two ships.

Sailed on the constitution in 1987. Thanks for the memories.

Soooo cool watching this …Thank you

This was so great, my wife and I used to go up Aloha Tower and look down on both ships moored end to end! Really enjoyed seeing this, a trip down memory lane, thanks!

Wonderful video, what a treat for a saturday night! Thanks Peter!!!!

Your videos are priceless. So so nice to see that someone feels those ships the same way I do. In all their segments. Thank you for beautiful videos.

Those ‘Viking’ ships were so lovely looking as well.

Thanks, Peter. Loved the sound of those booming whistles!

its crazy to think they planned on scrapping these two in favor of two Knut e Hansen designed newbuilds which were essentially squished versions of the..."interesting" looking 1988 built Seaward in 1989, thankfully that never happened! the lifeboat drill with the Achille lauro T-Shirt was...a strange coincidence, but at least nothing like that ever happened!, and also seeing the lifeboats lowered to promenade like that reminded me a lot of the 1959 movie "the Last Voyage" which was the first time I had ever seen lifeboats loaded like that from a promenade before! as an aside, I NEVER knew the two stripes below the "flower" logo were different shades! (I always assumed they were one color but this footage clearly shows otherwise!) overall the design of her reminds me a LOT of the Japanese Cruise-Ferry "Sunflower 11" of 1974, very slender and tall, with two distinct funnels :)

Thank you so much.

Great video! TY

I did the S.S. Independence back in 1993. We were shocked at the age of the ship especially since our first cruise was on the Carnival Celebration. We loved Hawaii and the cruise, just not the ship.

Fantastic! I sailed on the S.S. Independence in the summer of 1984!

Boy cruises sure have changed as well as cruise ships, THANK GOD! How cramped and claustrophobic!

Sailed on the USS Constituition in 1994! I had a wonderful time.

Handsome little steamships, a pity they're not still around today, a quiet little voyage without all the hullaballoo and glitz of the modern big girls sounds rather nice. Guess I'll settle for sipping a Singapore Sling as my model of Orient Lines' Orcades sails around the pool.

I noticed the ship had small platforms extending from the aft deck port and starboard, which I have only seen before on HMS Patris. On PATRIS one would stand on them essentially looking back down to the waterline and could see the spinning propeller particularly in rougher seas. They may have also been used for clay target shooting which my father participated in during that cruise.

Bravo to the filmmaker. The only thing he failed to mention was how the ship's crew was having more than anyone!

Wow I wasn't even born yet . She look like an amazing ship for her time

Peter, I now have a great SS Constitution printable 3D model, both 1951 and 1959 refit versions (Designed by LinersWorld's Matt Pontecaille). I'd be happy to print a copy for you in the scale of your choosing.

OMG PK!! Total home run on that. Beautiful footage of the ships and the islands. So sad that she wasn’t refurbed. She looked sturdy, comfy and clean. My friends dad sailed on her and boy was I jealous. Thank you for sharing. Did you do a CT article of her? Some of those pics look familiar. ❤️❤️❤️

Gorgeous ship!!!

Thanks for a brilliant film Peter. It would be great to see some of your 2001 Independence footage.

Great video Pete. Thanks for posting it

Wonderful

I worked on both of those ships back in the day at Todd Shipyards Alameda CA as a mechinest

Nice

It's amazing how small ships were back then .

I worked on these ships. I miss the cruising of the days gone by!

Loved working on Indy in 2001

People when where building the ship: let’s make the ship horn sound like Godzilla

So sad to know that these 2 great ships, (the Connie and the Indy) are resting on the bottom of the ocean.

Wasn't one of them used in the series the love boat??? Im from Hawaii... born n raised... loved watching that ship in Kahului harbor Maui...

Hi Peter, thank you for another brilliant and interesting episode. Noting that these ships were originally designed for the New York, Naples, Genoa and return service, did you get a sense of their seaworthiness and suitability for the North Atlantic during your cruise? When I first went to sea, I did my initial training in steam ships. The black smoke you see coming from the funnel in such ships really means that the Engineers on the boiler sprayers have the fuel/air mix wrong. Some ships I was on had a series of mirrors so you could monitor the exhaust. Newer ships had cameras. We would receive severe criticism if the bridge rang down to report “black smoke alpha” or “bravo” depending upon the funnel. It was only tolerated during flash up from a cold start. This would happen at night to cover our tracks! Again, really enjoying these videos; like being there.

I’ve always wondered why constitution was sent for scrap so early both twins were wonderful shame I never got to see them

The last voyage was in 1995. I worked on the Conny in 94-95.

Great ship.

Your channel came up on my KZfaq Recommends. Glad I clicked and watched this. Glad you are documenting liners that are no longer around anymore. I am in aviation, but always been curious about ocean liners. I had my High School prom aboard the Queen Mary in 1984, that was neat! Was there a part of the SS Constitution that you didn't get to video, but planned to?

Thanks for keeping this beautiful ship alive! Do you know what happened to the frog with the snail on its back? I assume it's at the bottom of the ocean with the rest of the Constitution?

Just got off the Allure of the Seas. Quite a different experience. Now it’s all about distractions, instant gratification, cash cash cash - it’s no longer relaxing.

You are awesome

This is the ship that Lucy and Ricky went to Europe on

Mais um bom video belo navio antigo de cruzeiro, mas cortina de plastico no box é terrivel kkkkkkk

Great job as always, Peter! It's very uncommon to see a ship built in the 50s with a counter stern. Was there a particular reason?

That look like a dilapidated Bell 222 jet ranger helicopter I will not fault you for feeling nervous flying aboard it