She was the jewel of Germany, heralding an age of pride and presence for a country still striving to mend its international image from the devastation of World War II. The first diesel-electric, Maybach-engined Ocean Liner Germany built after the conflict, the Wappen von Hamburg ( Aurora ) had all the latest in technology and style, launching in 1955 as the most technologically advanced and luxurious cruise ship to exist at the time. Since then, she’s changed hands and names over half a dozen times, traveling the world as the Polar Star, Xanadu, and more, to finally arrive as the Aurora off the coast of California… and right into Christopher Willson's’ open arms.

At this moment, Aurora sits expectantly in Stockton, under restoration and ready to be used as a conference center, private retreat, and social innovation hub on the California Delta before her historic re-entry to the Bay. We invite you to subscribe and watch our efforts to bring this historic cruise ship back to life.