ssMaritime.com & ssMaritime.net
With Reuben Goossens
Maritime Historian
Adriatica Line
“Adriatica” S.p.A.
di Navigazione
MS San
Giorgio
Later: City of
Currently PV Ocean Mist
Including her sister - MS San Marco
Adriatica Lines MS San Giorgio seen in 1957
Author’s private collection
Images on this page are from either: 1. The author’s collection and 2. As provided by the African Safari Club and 3. From other sources.
Having Adriatica Lines Ausonia featured on ssMaritime, I felt to add several of the earlier (Post War) ships built by the company. However, this feature will highlight the delightful MS San Giorgio, which was until recently operated by the Swiss-owned African Safari Club under the name Royal Star. The ship’s current profile is quiet deceptive, for she certainly does not look her age. Since built, her three holds as well as her forward and aft A frame masts were removed with a new signal mast added atop her Bridge and a stylish mast aft of her funnel. In addition, her Promenade Deck was extended both forward and aft, making her an attractive modern looking ship indeed.
PV Ocean Mist in Port Mombasa returning from a
cruise to
Provided by & © 2010 PV Ocean Mist Cruises
Looking back in History
Adriatica Lines first Post War Ships
MS Esperia seen in
Author’s private collection
After the war, Adriatica Line ordered the
9,314
Adriatica Lines official post card of the MS Esperia
Author’s private collection
Adriatica Lines official post card of MS Enotria and Messapia
Author’s private collection
MS San Marco and San Giorgio
With the success of the company, Adriatica
Line ordered two further ships, which incorporated exiting new design standards
for small Italian Liners. Built by Cant. Riuniti dell’ Adriatico Trieste,
the 4,755
During building a design change was made, which would give these ships yet another look. Instead of a smallish funnel with projecting fins, a well balanced funnel with rounded top was fitted. All these features combined with a sharply raked bow gave these ships a well balanced look.
Post card of Adriatica’s attractive new liner, MS San Giorgio
Author’s private collection
San Marco and San Giorgio were built to
operate on the
MS San Marco
From the author’s private collection
First Class public rooms occupied all of Promenade Deck. Lounges exuded an Italian flair, which gave all public spaces on board a sense of light and space. First Class offered both single and two berth cabins, all having private facilities. Second Class public rooms were located one deck lower, located amidships to just aft. Cabins accommodated 2, 3 or 4 berths, all with shared facilities. Tourist Class public rooms were located right aft and offered either 4 or 6 berth cabins, again all having shared facilities.
MS San Giorgio continued sailing between
A new life for the two sisters
However, after 20 years of service San Giorgio
was sold in 1976, to Andreas and George Kyrtatas of
The superb looking MS City of Andros, ex San Giorgio
Photograph by Jim-McFaul – Sent in by Alexandros Papayannis
Due to the early success of the City of Andros, her sister the San
Marco was also obtained by Kyrtatas Brothers and she was renamed City of
Mykonos for the voyage from Venice to Greece. She received a more extensive
refit with her decks extended further aft and a new lounge built aft of her funnel.
Upon completion she was renamed City of
City of
Photograph sent in by Alexandros Papayannis
MV City of Myconos looking simply superb and she is clearly showing her aft extensions
Photograph sent in by Alexandros Papayannis
Although the City of
Today the City of
Photograph by Steffan Weirauch
Above: Here we
see three fine original Adriatica Lines ships laid up in
Thank you Alexandros Papayannis for your
kind assistance and providing information regarding the days these two ships
were owned and operated by Andreas and George Kyrtatas of
A New Venture and Look for the City of
After her extensive refit and a few external changes Ocean Islander became an attractive looking ship indeed!
*Photographer unknown – See Photo notes at bottom of page
MS City of
Andros, ex San Giorgio was sold in 1984 to Ocean Cruise
Lines being a new cruise operation. She was refitted into a luxury cruise ship
and was renamed Ocean Islander.
The rebuilding saw her aft mast and all holds removed and a small mast added
aft of her funnel. In addition, her Promenade Deck was extended aft as well
lounge aft on boat deck. Her two aft lifeboats were replaced by enclosed
motorised tenders. Ocean Islander
joined the companies other ship, Ocean
Princess. In summer Ocean
Islander sailed along the Dalmatian coast from
MS Ocean Islander
Ocean Cruise Lines promotional image
In 1990, Ocean Cruise Lines was purchased by
Accor SA and Chargeurs SA, a company who also owned
Paquet Cruises. However, Ocean
Islander was not part of the sale and she was sold to the Swiss-owned
African Safari Club. She was renamed Royal
Star and was placed on a new operation, which would see her cruise from
Between 1990 and 2005, she received additional refurbishments, which saw many further improvements made throughout this fine ship. In addition, changes were made to cabin layouts, lowering her passenger capacity to just 200 passengers, all served by 130 officers and crew. All cabins have private facilities, telephone, music, a safe and adequate storage space. The majority are outside with either a port hole or a window. Some suites have two bathrooms, mini bar, hair dryer and TV with videos.
MS Royal Star seen berthed at night
Provided by African Safari Club
Although the Royal Star looks as modern as tomorrow, she is a genuine classic Liner having acres of teak decks and rich interiors of polished wood and gleaming brass. In 2006 she celebrated her 50th year at sea.
Royal Star has become famed for her intimate atmosphere and she is more akin to a private yacht compared to today’s rather large cruise ships. For this reason, passengers get to know their fellow travellers. Royal Star is fully stabilised and air-conditioned throughout and is ideal for cruising close to shore, visiting intriguing ports, which are inaccessible to larger ships. More importantly, with only a few passengers on board there is no danger of overwhelming the character and often delicate ecosystem of the ports visited, thus preserving the experience sought after.
5,600
Provided by African Safari Club
On board facilities include … Marco Polo Lounge, Piano Bar, Explorer Bar, Lido Bar. Belvedere Restaurant, Library, Tourist Office, Casino, Fitness Room, Swimming Pool, Pool Bar, Sauna, Medical Centre, Beauty Salon and a Boutique.
Sadly in 2007 & 08 the company commenced
suffering some financial difficulties and a dispute with the ships owners. Her
future considering SOLAS 2010 is nearing is somewhat uncertain! However in 2009
she was purchased and she will sail on from
A
New Venture for a Fine Ship!
Built as the famed MS San Giorgio, today she is the elegant PV Ocean Mist
Author’s private collection
The company that purchased her is a multi national company, but they formed new company by the name of “PV Ocean Mist Cruises” and they renamed her PV Ocean Mist and had her effectively repaired and comprehensively refitted most of which was completed by the end of 2009. When all the main work had been completed she undertook her deep sea trails, which proved to be a great success and Ocean Mist having already had a shakedown cruise is now ready for her maiden commercial cruise at the end of April 2010.
For more on the ship and “PV Ocean Mist Cruises” Visit: www.cruise-australia.net/Ocean-Mist.htm and www.pvoceanmist.com for further details.
Ocean Mist seen during her sea trails
Photograph © provided by Prakash Rodrigues of “PV Ocean Mist Cruises”
Previous
News Updates regarding PV Ocean Mist:
March 31: Received news today that the Ocean Mist has just returned from a return Sea trail voyage from Port Mombasa to Zanzibar and back and the voyage was most successful and as Prakash Rodrigues wrote “I went with my family and we had few family friends of the ships owner and it was an amazing trip and we really enjoyed it.” However, Prakash also advised that some work is yet to be completed before she can enter full time duties and currently there is a crew of some 65 on board completing the final touches required to be done. As soon as she is complete, the author will place a new page online on cruise-australia.net.
MV Ocean Mist is seen here without her lifeboats and tenders and her new funnel markings
Photograph © provided by Prakash Rodrigues of “PV Ocean Mist Cruises”
November 8: I received further details today: MV Ocean Mist is currently in
MV Ocean Mist seen during her refurbishment and
refit in
Photograph © provided by Prakash Rodrigues of “PV Ocean Mist Cruises”
Visit: http://www.pvoceanmist.com.
This fine classic, yet modern cruise ship will soon be ready to cruise again!
Photograph ©
provided by Prakash Rodrigues of “PV Ocean Mist
Cruises”
INDEX
Page 1… MS San Giorgio Her history as well as that of her sister MS San Marco
Page 2… Royal Star Photo Page A series of
photographs of San Giorgio’s later incarnation
As
the Royal Star, including her deck Plan
Page
3… Royal Star’s Final Crew List Provided
by The African Safari crew members
Page 4…. Royal Star Photos Provided
by David Harrison
Page
5… PV Ocean Mist Under her new guise
she sails again in familiar territory!
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Who is the Author of ssMaritime?
Commenced
in the passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
Also
visit my …
“Save The Classic Liners Campaign” & “Classic Ocean Voyages”