Song of America — Historic Royal Caribbean Ship (1982-1999)

Ship History

Song of America entered service for Royal Caribbean in December 1982 as one of the largest cruise ships in the world at 37,584 gross tons. Built by Wärtsilä Helsinki Shipyard in Finland, she represented a significant step forward in cruise ship design and helped establish Royal Caribbean as a major player in the cruise industry.

The ship was named to evoke the musical heritage and spirit of America, continuing Royal Caribbean's tradition of naming ships with evocative, aspirational names. At 705 feet long, she could accommodate approximately 1,402 passengers in double occupancy and featured innovative design elements that would influence future cruise ships.

Design Innovations

Song of America introduced several features that were considered groundbreaking at the time:

• Viking Crown Lounge: The signature Royal Caribbean observation lounge perched high above the ship, offering 360-degree views
• Centrum: An early version of the multi-deck atrium that would become a Royal Caribbean hallmark
• Expanded Public Spaces: More lounges, bars, and entertainment venues than typical ships of the era
• Modern Staterooms: Larger-than-average cabins with improved amenities

Service History

During her 17 years with Royal Caribbean, Song of America sailed extensively in the Caribbean, offering 7-night itineraries from Miami to destinations including Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. She was a popular choice for families and first-time cruisers who appreciated her manageable size and classic cruise experience.

In 1999, Royal Caribbean sold Song of America to Sun Cruises, where she was renamed Sunbird. The ship continued to cruise the Mediterranean and Caribbean under various operators:

• 1999-2004: Sun Cruises as Sunbird
• 2004-2008: Pullmantur Cruises
• 2008-2013: Thomson Cruises as Thomson Dream

After more than 30 years of service, the former Song of America was sold for scrap and dismantled at Aliağa, Turkey in 2015.

Technical Specifications

Legacy

Song of America played an important role in Royal Caribbean's growth during the 1980s and 1990s. Along with her near-sister Song of Norway, she helped establish the cruise line's reputation for offering quality vacation experiences at sea.

The design innovations first introduced on Song of America — particularly the Viking Crown Lounge and expanded public spaces — became defining features of Royal Caribbean ships. These elements evolved over the decades into the massive Royal Promenades, multi-story atriums, and observation lounges found on today's Oasis and Icon class vessels.

For thousands of cruisers, Song of America represents fond memories of Caribbean cruises during the "golden age" of traditional cruising, before the era of mega-ships and private islands. Her legacy lives on in the DNA of every Royal Caribbean ship that followed.

Dining on Song of America

During her Royal Caribbean years (1982-1999), Song of America featured traditional cruise dining with a single main dining room offering two seating times for dinner. This was the standard format before modern "freestyle" or "anytime" dining became popular.

Dining Venues (Historical)

• Main Dining Room: The primary restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner with assigned seating
• Windjammer Café: Casual buffet for breakfast and lunch with indoor and outdoor seating
• Pizza and Grill: Poolside casual dining options
• Room Service: Available for light meals and snacks

Note: These dining options reflect the ship's configuration during her Royal Caribbean service. Dining venues may have changed under subsequent operators.