ASTOR: 1982 - Maiden season brochure w/ plans, cutaway, interiors

Astor United Cruises: A twenty-four page brochure promoting the MS ASTOR's maiden season in 1982 and 83. The German-owned Astor United Cruises hoped their deluxe little ship would provide competition to Hapag-Lloyd's EUROPA. The first half of the brochure shows interior views and many poolside photos with handsome passengers in skimpy bathing suits (both women and men). The second half contains destination info, route maps, itineraries, and rates in dollars. In back are six decks of plans and a partial cutaway showing public room locations. Alas, despite being named after the uber-rich American family, the ASTOR was a financial flop. In 1984 the ship was sold to South Africa's Safmarine. Then, in a fit of apparent madness, the Germans built another ASTOR that looked almost exactly like the previous ship. It too was a flop and quickly sold to the Russians. Excellent condition.