The government placed a low priority on naval activities, particularly in the 1870s; as a result, the shortage of funds precluded an active fleet policy. The ironclad fleet, including "Kaiser Max", was kept out of service in Pola, laid up in reserve; the only vessels to see significant service in the 1870s were several screw frigates sent abroad. In 1880, "Kaiser Max" had her sailing rig reduced. "Kaiser Max" and an Austro-Hungarian squadron that included the ironclads , , , and and the torpedo cruisers and travelled to Barcelona, Spain, to take part in the opening ceremonies for the Barcelona Universal Exposition. This was the largest squadron of the Austro-Hungarian Navy that had operated outside the Adriatic. In June and July 1889, "Kaiser Max" participated in fleet training exercises, which also included the ironclads "Custoza", , "Tegetthoff", "Prinz Eugen", and "Don Juan d'Austria".