KUNGSHOLM: 1953 - First & Tourist class deck plan from 1961

Swedish American Line:  A fold-out (23" by 27") transatlantic plan dated 1961 for the KUNGSHOLM.  Study this plan and you can see how advanced the Swedish-flagged ship was when introduced in 1953.  Four years later fleetmate GRIPSHOLM adopted the design with slight modifications. Seven decks are shown.  What is striking is the symmetry in cabin lay-out.  Class by class, corridor by corridor, deck by deck, most cabins are identical in shape.  That made booking cabins far easier and also made the ship perfect for cruising where there were no class distinctions.  Also, notice that there are no inner cabins.  Compare this plan with that of the UNITED STATES which was introduced in the same era.  The cabin lay-outs and sizes are far more complicated.  The KUNGSHOLM proved to be a popular ship for SAL and subsequent owners over a thirty-one year life.  She might have sailed longer but Costa rammed her into a breakwater and she sank. Very good condition.