You have defined the whole issue. She was built for the Atlantic trade and was secretly and easily convertible to troop carrying duties. She was fast enough not to need escorts during war time.
She is an icon, a true artifact of American genius, but there is no way to operate her today at a profit. Sad to say, time has passed her by.
I’d like to see the California Maritime Academy operate her between San Francisco and Honolulu for those of us that have had enough of TSA.