It's not usual for ships to get better the second time around. However, an historic exception to that rule was the Stefan Batory of Gdynia America ( aka Polish Lines) . Originally built by Holland America as the popular and elegantly-hulled Maasdam, in 1968 her ownership was transferred and she became Stefan Batory named after Poland's revered 16 th Century king. When she came out the Gdansk yards, refitted and in new colors, she was, if anything, lovelier than before. A great "second act" for a lady of the waves. During a time of political unrest and tensions in her native land, Stefan Batory was her country's unofficial ambassador to the world, and much beloved by her citizens and others drawn to her classic lines and service. She was retired in 1988, the ocean liner with regularly scheduled Trans-Atlantic service. Alas, there is nothing left of her, the Batory having been sent to the Turkish breakers in 2000.

An excellent page with extensive information about the Batory here