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The Hamburg Amerika Line designed Deutschland to be larger and faster than the North German Lloyd Line’s 14,349-ton Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse. On July 6th 1900, Deutschland set out on her maiden voyage from Hamburg - Plymouth/England and New York. After completing the crossing in six days, she took the Blue Riband from Kaiser Wilhelm Der Grosse by averaging 22.42 knots. Many passengers soon avoided traveling on Deutschland as she became infamous for her serious vibration problems. Deutschland held the Blue Riband in both directions until the North German Lloyd Line’s Kronprinz Wilhelm took the westbound record in 1902. The following year, Deutschland regained the westbound record, an honor she held until Cunard’s Lusitania entered service in 1907. Deutschland held the eastbound record until the North German Lloyd Line’s Kaiser Wilhelm took that title in 1904.

Deutschland was returned to her builders in 1910 to undergo a major refit. Although less powerful engines were installed at that time in an attempt to cure the vibration problems, the main reason for the refit was to convert her to a cruise ship. She reappeared from the shipyard in 1911 under the name Victoria Louise. The success of the conversion saw her credited with being finest cruise ship in the world. That new role normally consisted of cruises to the West Indies, Mediterranean and Scandinavia. Severe mechanical problems arising in 1914 led to Victoria Louise being laid up throughout World War One. These problems turned out to be a savior for the Hamburg Amerika Line as when the war came to an end in 1918, Victoria Louise was the only large German liner not to be confiscated by the Allies. The completion of repairs in 1921 saw the Hamburg Amerika Line return her to the Hamburg - New York run under the name Hansa. The arrival of  new larger post war liners led to Hansa being taken out of service in 1924 and scrapped at Hamburg in 1925.