Ships we've sailed that no longer exist.

[Texaspepper]

P&O SS Canberra Sept 1969 Los Angeles, CA, San Francisco, Vancouver, BC, Honolulu Auckland, NZ. Went to live in Auckland, NZ -Still have the Canberra Life Preserver hanging on my home office wall.

 

SS Canberra was an ocean liner, which later operated on cruises, in the P&O fleet from 1961 to 1997. She was built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Northern Ireland at a cost of UK £17 million, and was launched on March 16, 1960. The ship was named on March 17, 1958, after the federal capital of Australia, Canberra, and entered service in May 1961.

History

 

P&O built the Canberra to operate the combined P&O-Orient Line service between the United Kingdom and Australia. The arrival of the jet airliner had already caused a drop in demand for this service; a reduction in emigration to Australia and wars forcing the closure of the Suez Canal saw the route become unprofitable. However a refit in 1974 saw the Canberra adapted to cruising. Unusually, this transition from an early life as a purpose-built ocean liner to a long and successful career in cruising, occurred without any major external alterations, and with only minimal internal and mechanical changes over the years.

 

Arguably the single most remarkable feature of Canberra's design was her turbo-electric propulsion system. Instead of being mechanically coupled to her propeller shafts, Canberra's steam turbines drove large electric alternators which provided power to electric motors which, in turn, drove the vessel's twin screws. They were the most powerful steam turbo-electric units ever installed in a passenger ship; at 42,500 HP per shaft, they surpassed SS Normandie's 40,000 HP on each of her 4 shafts. There are several operational and economical advantages to such electrical de-coupling of a ship's propulsion system, and it has become a standard element of cruise ship design during the 1990s, over 30 years after Canberra entered service. However diesel engine and gas turbine driven alternators are the primary power source for most modern electrically propelled ships.

 

After the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands in 1982, which initiated the Falklands War, the Ministry of Defence requisitioned the Canberra as use as a troopship. Nicknamed the Great White Whale, the Canberra proved vital in transporting the Parachute Regiment and Royal Marines to the islands more than 9,000 miles (14,000 km) from the UK. Whilst the Queen Elizabeth 2 was held to be too vulnerable to enter the war zone, Canberra was sent to the heart of the conflict.

 

Canberra anchored in San Carlos Water on May 21 as part of the landings by British forces to retake the islands. Although her size and white colour made her an unmissable target for the Argentine Air Force, the Canberra, if sunk, would not have been completely submerged in the shallow waters at San Carlos. However, the liner was not badly hit during the landings as the Argentine pilots tended to attack the Royal Navy frigates and destroyers instead of the supply and troop ships. After the war, Argentine pilots claimed they were told not to hit the Canberra, as they mistook her for a Hospital Ship.[1]

 

When the war ended, Canberra was used to repatriate the Argentine Army, before returning to Southampton to a rapturous welcome. After a lengthy refit, Canberra returned to civilian service as a cruise ship. Her role in the Falklands War made her very popular with the British public, and ticket sales after her return were elevated for many years as a result. Age and high running costs eventually caught up with her though, as she had much higher fuel consumption than most modern cruise ships. She was withdrawn from service in September 1997 and sold to ship breakers for scrapping, leaving for Gadani Beach, Pakistan the next month. She did not give up without a fight however; her deep draft meant that she could not be beached as far as most ships, and due to her solid construction the scrapping process took nearly a year instead of the estimated three months.

Edited September 7, 2010 by Texaspepper

[slotl]

SS Canberra was an ocean liner, which later operated on cruises, in the P&O fleet from 1961 to 1997.

 

We cruised on the Canberra from New York to the Caribbean (I believe in the very early 70's). It was the ONLY time the Canberra sailed the Caribbean. Why??? Her hull was too deep to navigate the shallow waters of the Caribbean around the port areas. She grounded many times during her season in the Caribbean. Of course we tendered into each port. We were on the Canberra many years prior to it's usage in the Falkland Islands war as a troop carrier.

 

In our early days of cruising (we couldn't afford much...but we cruised ..... in minimum room cabins), we sailed on the Canberra. Remember old times when ships were built by "class". It was definitely a 2 to 3 class ship. Most memorible was that we had no toilet or shower in our room. It was "down the hall". We did have a sink in our room, but that was all. So, we needed to go to the Lavatory down the hall to use the toilet and we had to go to the Bathroom down the hall to take a shower (yes, you walk back to your room in a towel).

 

Of course, today, there is no way ANYONE would cruise without facilities in their room, but it is a "happy" memory of a bygone cruise in a bygone era.

[Texaspepper]

We cruised on the Canberra from New York to the Caribbean (I believe in the very early 70's). It was the ONLY time the Canberra sailed the Caribbean. Why??? Her hull was too deep to navigate the shallow waters of the Caribbean around the port areas. She grounded many times during her season in the Caribbean. Of course we tendered into each port. We were on the Canberra many years prior to it's usage in the Falkland Islands war as a troop carrier.

 

In our early days of cruising (we couldn't afford much...but we cruised ..... in minimum room cabins), we sailed on the Canberra. Remember old times when ships were built by "class". It was definitely a 2 to 3 class ship. Most memorible was that we had no toilet or shower in our room. It was "down the hall". We did have a sink in our room, but that was all. So, we needed to go to the Lavatory down the hall to use the toilet and we had to go to the Bathroom down the hall to take a shower (yes, you walk back to your room in a towel).

 

Of course, today, there is no way ANYONE would cruise without facilities in their room, but it is a "happy" memory of a bygone cruise in a bygone era.

 

I am trying to recall our room on the Canberra 1969 Los Angeles to Auckland, NZ. You know, I think we had a room with bunk beds, closet, toilet and a shower. Wow we were traveling in class compared to what you had. We were moving to live in Pakuranga, NZ about 15 miles south of Auckland, NZ. I don't think I have an photos. . .and then again I might in a box in the garage with about a 1,000 color slides. I seem to recall taking photos at LA, San Francisco when we were delayed 8 hours because of the ship injecting sand while trying to push away from the dock. We were waving good bye to family and friends that had come to the SF to see us and we were to depart at 5pm. So we got off the ship and went out and had dinner and departed about 12 or 1AM. Got to dig out those slides.

 

We were just kids and the ship seem so huge to us. Now we sail the Royal Caribbean Voyager Class ships and they are so much larger than the Canberra.

[slotl]

I think we had a room with bunk beds, closet, toilet and a shower.

 

Did I forget to mention the bunk beds?? Yes, we had bunk beds on the Canberra, but.......on our first cruise on the HAL Rotterdam V, we also had minimum rates with bunk beds, but the room did have "facilities".

 

On the Rotterdam V, you sat on the "throne" to use the shower hose above. There was no "separate" shower space in the bathroom -- just the toilet, sink, and a shower "hose" above the toilet - with a drain on the floor......but it did have "facilities" in the room. The Canberra did not.

[Batch5]

Wow some great stories, most of the ships I have been on are still afloat in different fleets buys still in serves.

Star ship Royale (Premier Cruises) sunk as the Sea Breeze in 2000

Meridian (Celebrity Cruises) Formerly Galileo Galilei, sold and renamed Sun Cruises and sunk May 1999.

Bzbob

Norwegian Dream (Norwegian Cruise Line) Laid up in Freeport awaiting a buyer.

Chris

[Mybearsbaby]

Carnival HOLIDAY...our honeymoon and 1st cruise...still afloat but not sure what the new name is or where...

[slotl]

Carnival HOLIDAY...our honeymoon and 1st cruise...still afloat but not sure what the new name is or where...

 

http://www.wikipedia.com will give you the history (and present name) of any cruise ship you have traveled on.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holiday_class_cruise_ship

 

It is now operated by Iberocruceros as the Grand Holiday. Read above link.

[Djonemore]

On the Rotterdam V, you sat on the "throne" to use the shower hose above. There was no "separate" shower space in the bathroom -- just the toilet, sink, and a shower "hose" above the toilet - with a drain on the floor......but it did have "facilities" in the room. The Canberra did not.

Don't think I could picture that... Some interesting stories as I was going through this thread...

Now my turn:

Celebrity Horizon September, 17th 2005 I think it was her last or next to last voyage with Celebrity...

Edited September 11, 2010 by Djonemore

[cathhobbit]

The Doric which I sailed on in 1981...first ever cruise...fell completely in love with cruising...Doric was an Italian line...cute boys..the last I heard was that it went to Asia....it was a pretty small ship...1200 pax...

anyway...

 

quote=mek;21602790]I was thinking about all of the ships I've sailed on that have changed ownership and now sail under a new name and then I did some research on ships I've been on that no longer even exist. Here goes...

 

Emerald Seas - Scrapped

 

Mardi Gras - Scrapped

 

Festival - Scrapped

 

Regent Sea - Sank

 

Regent Star - Scrapped

 

Seabreeze - Sank

 

Norway - Scrapped

 

Anyone else?

[MacGuffin]

Not sure if you're aware of this site/book/video, but it's heartbreaking to see some of these great ships (France, Fairwind...) getting butchered. It's like a slaughterhouse. Too bad some of them can't be sunk and used as artificial reefs. I guess it's the asbestos.

 

http://www.midshipcentury.com/videoalang1.shtml

[mukadreaming]

The Ocean Dream (formerly Tropicale / Costa Tropicale / Pacific Star) is a cruise ship, built in 1981. The ship began sailing for Carnival Cruise Lines as the Tropicale in 1982. The Tropicale was Carnival's first newly built ship. Operating mainly in the Caribbean. She was transferred to the Costa fleet in July 2001 and renamed the Costa Tropicale. The Costa Tropicale was retired in 2005 and entered service for P&O Cruises Australia as the Pacific Star in December of that year . She was formerly Queensland’s latest cruise liner, she was based in Brisbane, performing cruises along the Tropical Queensland coast, to various islands in the South Pacific, New Caledonia, and to New Zealand. In March 2008, P&O Cruises Australia sold the Pacific Star to Pullmantur Cruises. She has been refurbished and is currently sailing as the Ocean Dream.

So wonderful to hear what happened to the Pacific Star. She was our first cruise, to celebrate our honeymoon. Such a great time had, didn't what to get off! Unfortunately, it has taken us three years to book our second cruise and have another year to wait for it. Hopefully won't wait so long for number three.

[jorapp]

SS United States - Grand old lady and an absolute joy to sail in. I was 10 years old and had so much fun exploring the ship with my brother. Parents allowed me to have shrimp cocktail every night for dinner, and mom and I went to afternoon tea. Real-life dress-up.

 

Barefoot Windjammer Phantome - The captain actually let me sail her in open water and bring her into port on the last morning of our cruise. I slept on deck pads under the stars, and dressing for dinner was throwing a t-shirt over my bathing suit. A magical week. Davy Jones took a good one with her. One of my few regrets is that I never got the chance to sail her again.

Edited September 25, 2010 by jorapp

[cruising cockroach]

Cathay (at least when it sailed for P&), its second owner).

[N7786W Flyer]

Here's my list, starting with the Bahama Star...my first cruise in 1974.

 

 

Bahama Star (sank on the way to the scrapyard...twin to Veracruz)

Mardi Gras (scrapped)

Caribe 1 (scrapped)

Veracruz (destroyed by fire then scrapped)

Bermuda Star (scrapped)

Oceanic (reportedly sold to scrappers)

Norway (scrapped)

[corkpopr]

Azure Seas, Emerald Seas, Enchanted Isle, Enchanted Seas, Niew Amsterdam (the old one), Noordam (sister ship to the Niew the old one also), NCL Wind (worst ship of the 30 cruises we have taken) Crown owned by Commodore lines, Galaxy, Caribe, Regal Empress ( my wife came to the united states on her 2nd class)

[Vero Beach Louise]

OMG!! This thread brings back so many memories of such wonderful ships that no longer sail. I really miss those older ships. They were much more relaxed and intimate and romantic. Our very first cruise was on the Vera Cruz and that sold my husband on cruising. We had 2 cots to sleep on with an aisle wide enough for 1 to walk in and the closet had room to hang about 6 items and everyting else was folded on shelves. The bathroom had a sink, toilet and shower and don't try to be in there together. The Captain (or someone) would announce the activities of the day. You got to know your Cabin steward and Dining waiters and Maitr'D. Most of the older ships we cruised on were all owned by Chandris under one line or another. Those cruises gave folks an opportunity to dress up fancy and enjoy a lifestyle that few people ever experience. When we sailed on the Fantasy it was the largest ship on the seas. Wow! What a difference.

 

The new ships are beautiful, the service is nice and the food is usually good, (some are better than others) but you seldom get to know any of the crew or fellow passengers as easily as on the smaller ships. But I still will continue to cruise.

 

Sailed on:

Ss Vera Cruz

Bermuda Star

Regent Sea

Amerikanis

Fantasy

Emerald Seas

Crown Jewel

Century

Eclipse

 

 

:)

[navy_wifes_mother]

Canaveral - Dolphin IV - scrapped (and the worst ship I have ever been on)

[Pdljmpr]

Jubilee..sold

[bunker1706]

I sailed on the Emerald Seas in the early 80s. I was about 9 years old and I was so excited. I thought I was on The Love Boat. I remember my parents giving me a roll of nickels and I would go to the casino to play the slots. That was my last cruise before starting my obsession with cruising 3 years ago on Liberty of the Seas. We've gone every year since.

[sublarry]

I have been on the Carnival Mardi GRAS for my first ever cruise and my second was on the Holiday.

[ddbaab53]

TSS The Topaz for me. God I loved her so much, we went on her 7 times in 1 year. The day we heard she was leaving the thomson fleet i was inconsolable. I still cant bring myself to look at her being broken up in Alang.

 

TSS Topez was in 1975 added as the 2nd ship in the Carnival line and was named the Carnivale. She was our very first cruise for our 10th Anniversary. She was later soldto I think Thompson Lines and then became a peaceboat until she was forced to retire in 2010 due to SOLAS Regulations. Don't think we will ever forget that first cruise.:)

Edited July 14, 2012 by ddbaab53

[Shebba]

June, 1990, dh and I sailed out of Miami to Western Caribbean aboard a beautiful, old ship Britanis of the cruiseline Chandris. She had a fascinating history. Launched in 1931, maiden voyage 1932, then served as a personnel transport during WWII. It was a small ship, by today's standards, but was elegant. One thing I remember most about her is the beautiful mahogany paneling throughout the ship. We had a VERY small cabin with two twin beds (not very romantic ). Near the end of our cruise, we learned that some passengers had to share a public bathroom with other cabins. We then considered ourselves very lucky! LOL

 

In her cruising days, pre and post-war, some of her passengers included Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, the Rockefellers, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, and other dignitaries. There was a guest register book on display, opened to where Clark Gable and Carole Lombard had signed.

 

I looked up this ship to see if she was still sailing. Sadly, she was being towed to the far East to be scrapped when she sank, just off the coast of Cape Town, South Africa in 2000.

[CRUISEWITHH]

Has anyone mentioned the Orient Marco Polo. We cruised on her in 2006 and 2007. We were on the lowest deck and we had to step over the bulkhead every few feet to get to our cabin.

 

Also cruised on the Epirotiki World Renaissance to Ensenada from port of Los Angeles.

[lulurobby]

The Topaz for us, what a great ship!!:)

[anthk333]

Canaveral - Dolphin IV - scrapped (and the worst ship I have ever been on)

 

We still had fun on her. ;)

 

The Dolphin IV is one of the first two ships that I have sailed that have gone to the breakers; the other was the Stella Solaris.