wow,, we stayed on a ship in '58 during the assembly. We traveled across U.S. from California, hot with no air conditioning back then. Back then, I think we had huge bumper sticker for car to advertise the conventions. Had no confirmation of a motel. Got in NY,, sat for a long time (seemed long for me, for me only being 11 yrs old with 3 younger siblings, ages 9, 4 and 2, with our parents) waiting. The WT got an okay for many of us waiting to stay on a ship, docked during the week. Our room was 4 bunkbeds w/sink, certainly not anything upscale . A huge sharing bathroom with individual compartments for toilet and shower. All the travelers from the ship from Europe had rooming on land. My brother and I loved discovering the wonderment of the ship, of course.
I need to find out more. But the trip was hard for my mom I remember. The heat in NY city then was miserable. The first day on the ship didn't have the air flow on yet for the bunkers. The 2-year old not potty trained yet.