The Columbus, was originally to be named Hindenburg. However, her sister, originally named Columbus, was handed over to the White Star Line as war reparations in 1920. The Allies allowed North German (Norddeutsch) Lloyd (NDL) to keep the remaining ship and she was then named after her departed sister, now the British Homeric.

Due to construction problems at Schichau Shipyards in Danzig, Germany, “Columbus” did not enter service until April 1924. At her launch in 1922, she became stuck on the launch ways, and it took two months to dislodge the great liner. Material shortages further delayed her entry into service. When she finally entered service, “Columbus” was the largest and fastest ship in the German fleet.