German shipbuilder Meyer Werft is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its first cruise ship, the Homeric, a milestone that marked its entry into the cruise industry.
On May 6, 1986, the Papenburg-based shipyard delivered the vessel to Home Lines, signaling a major strategic shift. Until then, Meyer Werft had focused primarily on ferries and gas tankers. The move into cruise ship construction was widely seen at the time as a significant risk.
The order for the Homeric was announced in April 1984. Around 1,200 employees were assigned to the project, with a construction timeline of approximately two years. The ship, designed to operate between New York and Bermuda, was built entirely outdoors under demanding conditions. At the time, the vessel measured 204 meters in length, with a beam of 29 meters, a gross tonnage of 42,000 GT and capacity for 1,132 passengers. Workers faced extremes ranging from freezing winter temperatures to intense summer heat inside the structure.
Left: Construction of the Homeric in the open air, right: spectacular launch of the Homeric.
The size and complexity of the project presented additional challenges. Employees later recalled the unfamiliar scale of the ship, with some losing their way onboard during construction. Despite these difficulties, the project progressed according to schedule.
The launch on September 28, 1985, attracted large crowds in Papenburg. The sideways launch created a strong wave that reached the shore, making it a memorable event for local residents.
Following sea trials on the River Ems, the Homeric was delivered on time in May 1986 and entered service shortly thereafter on the transatlantic route between New York and Bermuda.
Left: Homeric lounge, right: Homeric restaurant.
In 1988, the vessel returned to Papenburg for a major conversion. At the request of the operator, the ship was lengthened by 40 meters. The process involved cutting the vessel in two and inserting a new midsection. The project was completed ahead of schedule and demonstrated the shipyard’s growing technical expertise.
Left: Welder Theodor Platt in the MEYER WERFT visitor centre next to a model of the Homeric, right: Jochen Zerrahn, production manager during the construction of the Homeric, next to a model of the ship.
The experience gained from building the Homeric played a key role in Meyer Werft’s development in the cruise sector. In the decades that followed, the company expanded its portfolio and has since delivered more than 60 cruise ships to international clients.
The Homeric remained in service for more than three decades under various names, most recently as Marella Dream. The vessel was retired in 2020 and scrapped in Turkey in 2022.
Today, a commemorative lamppost in front of Meyer Werft’s headquarters serves as a reminder of the shipyard’s first cruise ship project and its lasting impact on the company’s history.
Pictures courtesy of Meyer Werft.
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