Monte Rosa's entry into service came just as the Great Depression was causing a serious downturn in Hamburg Sud's cruise business. It was not until 1933 that this picked up again, when the older ships, Monte Sarmiento and Monte Olivia reverted to their original role of carrying immigrants to South America while Monte Pascoal and Monte Rosa were used for cruses, to Norway and the United Kingdom, Monte Rosa also continued to carry immigrants to South America, making more then 20 return-trips before the outbreak of World War 2.