It has always fascinated me how a ship can be considered beautiful by one and hideous by another. I am sure that some of the terms used can be slightly exagerated - especially when the emotion being expressed is negative - but the general message is clear.

Beauty is most definately in the eye of the beholder!

So I ask this: Which ship do you consider to be the most beautiful, and which the most ugly? Since cruise ship design has changed drastically over the years, let's consider those built after 1980 for modern and pre 1980 (but still in service) for classic.

The most beautiful "modern" liner in my opinion, is Disney Magic and her sister Disney Wonder. I love their dark hulls, fanciful superstructure, two funnels etc... As for my favorite "classic", Queen Elizabeth 2, hands down!

My least favorite modern is Norwegian Sky, she has no "personality". My least favorite classic is World Renaissance - for the same reason!

I must say though I had a harder time thinking about which ones I thought were ugly, after all I get giddy any time a cruise ship comes into port, even if she looks like a garbage scow!

Least favorite, pre 1980, of ships currently in service, would have to be Topaz. Though World Renaissance and Oceanbreeze are rather ugly as well...

Favorite modern ship would have to be Radiance of the Seas, eeking in over Oriana and Regal Princess (the last in exterior only).

In a long lost post I discussed what makes something handsome or ugly. I work in the design field and one of my professors in school did his PHD thesis in the "objective aesthetic".

Most of what we think is handsome or ugly is from a cultural orientation. Events and environments of our experience and upbringing shape our tastes.

There are many regional differences within the USA
not to mention the European and non-Western World.

Example: I love the MOD interiors of the original
QE2. When I grew up: MOD was cool and kids aspired to be MOD. Some British cruisetalkers who were overexposed to it cannot stand it. I cannot stand Williamsburg Colonial since I am over exposed to it, and reminds me of a fussy old aunt's house.

The 1960 Oriana is considered ugly since the forms do not visually flow and takes work to absorb. The Andrea Doria is the opposite where the forms all integrate and flow. She looks like she is moving when standing still.

There are extremes between too much detail which creates visual chaos, and too little which becomes monotonous.

For some not so light reading;

Form, Purpose, Meaning --John Pile

Notes on the Synthesis of Form --Christopher Alexander

[ 10-28-2002: Message edited by: desirod6 ]

Post 1980 favorite: Radiance of the Seas
Post 1980 ugliest: (oh there are a lot) Atlantic (home lines), Fantasy-class, Norwegian Sky/Sun, Mistral

Cruise Ship:
Post 1980 (favourite): Century/ Galaxy/ Mercury
Post 1980 (least favourite): Any of the Grand class ships and its mutant variations

Pre 1980 (favourite): The Royal Viking sisters
Pre 1980 (least favourite): Sunward II

Liner:
Post 1980 (favourite): kind of a moot point - I would have to say Queen Mary 2
Post 1980 (least favourite): Can't think of any Post 80's liners

Pre 1980 (favourite): Eugenio C (always an italian)
Pre 1980 (least favourite): Any of the Union Castle ships

Disclaimer: I tried to base these solely on EXTERNAL appearance with not thought to internal decor or service levels and cruise experience as I know there is little/ no correlation between any of them. Also recognize that there are many equally beautiful, ugly and in-between ships - these were my immediate pics.

Can you tell I am afraid of hurting anyone's feelings on this somewhat sensitive/ personal issue :-)

[ 10-29-2002: Message edited by: Jekyll ]

[ 10-29-2002: Message edited by: Jekyll ]

Let's see. Pre 1980s ships I like very much:

Aquitania
Mauretania 1939
Normandie
Andrea Doria/Cristoforo Columbo
Cunard Saxonia-class ships
Statendam 1957
Rotterdam 1959
France 1962 (as built)
Canberra
Sagafjord
Eugenio "C" (not as a Big Red Boat)
Kungsholm 1966 (as built)
QE2 (as built, slim white funnel)
Island/Sea Venture
Southward

Post 1980:

Europa 1981
Royal Princess
Fairsky
Crown Odyssey
Crystal Harmony/Symphony
Crown/Regal Princess
Dreamward/Windward (pre-stretch)
Silver Cloud/Wind
Oriana 1995
Aurora
Radiance/Brilliance of the Seas

Pre 1980 ships I dislike very much - tons... Though I can't recall all of them .

Post 1980 ships I dislike very much:

Holiday-class
Fantasy-class
Grand Princess and sisters
European Dream/Stars

The last list is short because most ships of the era are not so good looking, but not as hideous as the ones mentioned ...

Of the newer ships I like the proportions, lines, funnel and interior design of HAL's Zaandam and Volendam.

I mean Statendam and later.

quote:

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Originally posted by WhiteStar:
Maybe someone can post a pic of a ship that they find truly ugly.

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Quite doable! Not a cruise ship, but try this:

These were originally five rather attractive ships built for Italy's Tirrenia...

...but were rebuilt by the original owners in the early 1990s to become these putridly ugly vessels as illustrated in the first two photos above.

They were sold in 1999 (all five of them) to a Moroccan owner.

Now, tell me that is not truly ugly !

PS: Photos again from the indispensable Fakta Om Fartyg.

[ 10-30-2002: Message edited by: Cruiseny ]

As you point out it's no longer a cruise ship so it doesn't really count. But it could be boarderline ugly.

This is really fascinating. Likes and dislikes all over the board!

Though most seem to agree that the Grand Princess and her sisters are unattractive, I like her. I don't think she is beautiful, but I do think she is a very interesting looking ship, and I must confess that I got very excited whenever I saw the Star Princess in Vancouver this past summer. And I feel the same way when I see the Infinity or Summit. These ships too evoke strong feelings against their looks.

I must say that I agree with WhiteStar. I can't say that I find ANY liner to be ugly ... though that passenger ship that Cruiseny posted above certainly comes close!

But to be honest, if she were to sail into port, I'ld be waiting for her!

quote:

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Originally posted by WhiteStar:
How about an ugly cruise ship or oceanliner? No cargo ships or car ferries.

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I'm working on it by the way... Trying to wade my way through some of the more ungainly Greek conversions...

post 1980 favorites: Seabourn trio, Voyager-class, Costa Classica & Romantica
post 1980 least favorites: Europa(1999), Mistral, Orient & Pacific Venus

quote:

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Originally posted by Great Lakes:
Costa Classica & Romantica

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I saw her only once, on her last visit to Vancouver in 1997. While I always found her lovely in photographs, I must admit that when I saw her slip under the Lions Gate Bridge, I was taken back and found my heart racing a bit.

I know there are those who didn't like her too much, but to me she was one of the most beautiful ships ever built...

Others that are gone now:

Aquitania (truely "ship beautiful"),
Titanic (if only...),
Normandie (another ship with a far too short life),
Conte di Savoie,
Empress of Britain (circa 1930's),
Andrea Doria,