The Port of New York Branch of the World Ship Society was founded in 1965 when a disparate group of ship enthusiasts who made regular visits to the West Side passenger piers held an informal meeting aboard the brand-new SAGAFJORD. Since then, the branch has grown to over 300 active members and is linked to the World Ship Society, the British-based organization with 4,000 members worldwide. Port of New York Branch members include present and past cruise industry employees, maritime writers, and people who like to cruise or simply enjoy getting together to pursue their fascination for ships.

The PONY Branch meets monthly, except July and August, to offer programs relating to maritime topics of all kinds with the primary focus on passenger liners and cruise ships. Most programs are illustrated with slides. Some recent topics have included a program "Cruising Under the American Flag in the 21st Century", Voyaging in the South Pacific, past ocean liner voyages, immigrant ships, history of the shipping lines, and a selection of recent river journeys, plus talks by maritime authors, a Sandy Hook pilot, and a sales executive of a major cruise line.

The Branch also publishes a monthly newsletter, "The Porthole," that announces programs and activities, and includes original articles by members as well as the latest ship and port of New York news. The Branch arranges periodic visits aboard cruise ships docked in New York and sponsors harbor cruises and excursions to nearby maritime sites and museums.

Once or twice a year, the Branch arranges a group cruise, most leaving from the port of New York, and often in conjunction with other maritime organizations, with special interest lectures, group activities and visits to the ship's bridge. Cruises have included the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2, NORWAY, and REGAL EMPRESS.

Our dues year is the same as the calendar year. All P.O.N.Y. members receive issues of our newsletter and meetings notice. If you are interested in joining, please use the application form, print it, fill it out and mail it to the address given. Include check or money order payable to World Ship Society. British dues may be included in the total amount. Thank you for your interest in our organization.