The Ricardos Sail on the SS CONSTITUTION

SS CONSTITUTION 40" cruise ship wood model seen on eBay
SS CONSTITUTION 40″ cruise ship wood model see on eBay

The SS Constitution was an ocean liner owned by American Export Lines. She was commissioned in 1951. She sailed on the New York-Genoa-Naples and Gibraltar route to Europe. Constitution was a sister ship to the SS Independence. lucy desi on boardIt was featured in several episodes of the television situation comedy I Love Lucy starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, starting with episode 140, “Bon Voyage,” which first aired December 1, 1955. It was then featured in the 1957 film, An Affair to Remember starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr.

SS Constitution at dock in New York City 1950s
SS Constitution at dock in New York City 1950s

Following service on American Export’s “Sunlane” cruise to Europe in the ’50s and ’60s, the two ships sailed for American Hawaii Cruises for many years in the ’80s and ’90s; because they were U.S. ships with U.S. crews, they met the criteria of the Passenger Services Act and were able to cruise the Islands without sailing to a foreign port. SS Constitution was retired in 1995 and, while under tow to be scrapped on November 17, 1997, sank 700 nautical miles (1,300 km) north of the Hawaiian Islands.

SS Constitution ad 1951
SS Constitution ad 1951