Liners to the Sun

I originally read this book in 1991. It is one of the best books about modern day cruising still to this day. John Maxtone-Graham is an incredible author and this was a terrific follow up to his earlier masterpiece The Only Way to Cross. I would recommend this book to any ship historian or buff.

Liners To The Sun is an engaging and informative "ocean travelogue" which also offers considerable insight on the past, present, and possible future of ocean cruising. Featuring more than 250 black-and-white photographs and drawings, showcased with an authentically detailed narration, and an attention to the nuts-and-bolts of shipboard voyages, combine to make Liners To The Sun an especially recommended title for anyone wanting or needing to learn more about the realities and experiences of life on the waves in general, and ocean bound cruising in particular.

I had been enticed by the hardcover edition at the library and was hoping this softcover brought it up to date from 1985...but the only addenda from 2000 were confined to the new preface. Hence four instead of five stars. That said, this book is truly a celebration of the ultimate seagoing experience ( unless you are a dedicated small boat windsailor). Maxtone-Graham KNOWS and LOVES his ships-- down to the details of welding and design-- their captains and crew, their passengers and their milieux, and the sheer exuberance of unwinding, relaxing, shmoozing, partying or simply vegging on an ocean-going palace. The author's wonderfully cosmopolitan outlook and elegance of expression match the glitz, glamor --- and sometimes grit-- of the wonderful vessels he describes with such evocative precision. He is at home among the hoi polloi, but definitely no effete snob. When addressing the delicate issue of Class versus Crass (yesteryear's sophisticated passenger contrasted to today's alleged boor) the author wisely points out that the Old Guard elite also had their share of back-slapping, spittle shpritzing louts aboard. Those who mourn the passing of Great Liner gentility have forgotten about these annoying ship crawlers. Maxtone-Graham does make distinctions between the most garish of the party-hardy Spring Break specials and the classier cruise ships. He does not neglect the luxurious smaller vessels as so many cruise ship writers do. For example the always interesting Arnold Kludas won't consider any ship under 10,000 gross tons in his multi-volumed compendium. Maxtone-Graham gives a vivid and affectionate review of an Atlantic crossing on one of the first of the modern Mega-Yachts, the 4,250 ton Sea Goddess I (now operated by Seabourn with its sister ship). I particularly enjoyed the lively accounts of the memorable, and gone-forever,grand tours such as the 1938-39 lavish and fun-filled Normandie cruises to Rio and many other such "journeys to nowhere". I did not find the excellent depiction of the down and dirty details of design and construction at all boring, as the author feared. Equally informative is the insight into the economic realities confronting the cruise travel industry as it enters the twenty-first century. Details such as cabin and bathroom design are brought to life by demonstrating the relative comfort and convenience factors of different arrangements. I have never tired of re-reading this wonderfully evocative book. Having missed the author's The Only Way to Cross, the appendix relating some letters he received about the earlier book was a welcome bonus. The illustrations....deck plans, interior and exterior photos and drawings, are quite helpful in visualizing life and luxury aboard. Highly recommended both for bon voyagers and those who would rather read about life at sea from a dry and steady berth.

The natural follow-on to his seminal "The Only Way to Cross," "Liners to the Sun" brings more of Maxtone-Graham's great stories to print. Able to describe technical details with an easy precision, the author also contributes a great deal to the lore of cruising, from the earliest history to the latest developments, from the economics of cruise voyages to rich anecdotal details of what life is like on a long cruise (for some too long!). This review is written from the 1985 edition, and there have been so many changes in the industry that a new edition is not only cause for celebration, but also an incentive to own both books!