MS Atalante

ssMaritime

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

MS Atalante

Built as the French Liner, Tahitien

The French shipping company, Cie. Des Messageries Maritimes, ordered two ships, the Caledonien and the Tahitien. Caledonien was built by A & C de France at Dunkirk and delivered in September 1952, whereas the Tahitien was built by Arsenal de Brest (yard no: ME2) and was delivered in February 1953. Both ships originally operated on the Marseilles to Sydney service via the Panama Canal.

MS Tahitien at 12,614 GRT (gross registered Tons) measured 167.20m (548.5ft) in length, 20.70m (68ft) wide, having a draft of 7.80m (25.5ft). She was powered by Burmeister & Wain diesels giving her a maximum speed of 18 knots.

She accommodated 373 passengers in four classes. First: 71 / Tourist: 84 / Third: 142 / Steerage (Dormitory): 76. First class accommodations were located on first two decks of the superstructure with the public rooms and swimming pool on Promenade Deck. Most were twin / three berths, all had private facilities. Tourist class cabins were for two or four berths all outside but without private facilities. Third and steerage was basic but comfortable.

Tahitien departed on her maiden voyage on May 4, 1953. She remained in service until 1972, when she was sold to Aphrodite Cruises Ltd (later Mediterranean Sun Lines), Limassol. Renamed Atalante, she was given an extensive refit making her ready for a new role cruising the Mediterranean. From that time she never looked back as she became a popular low fare cruise ship. She was rebuilt again in 1978 and 1993. Her facilities and accommodations have constantly improved with each rebuild and refit, making her one of the most popular vintage ships cruising the Mediterranean.

Specifications for MS Atalante, is located at the bottom of this Page

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Photo Album

Atalante

MS Atalante facilities include the Atalante Club & Showroom, Nightclub & Disco, four Bars, Shopping Arcade, Casino, and two Pools. She has seven passenger decks and a traditional glass enclosed Promenade Deck.

Club Lounge

The Pub

Glass enclosed Promenade Deck

Casino

Pursers Office & Lobby

Restaurant

Stairwell to Lobby

Aft Deck and Pool

Suite

Deluxe Twin

Standard Outside Twin (Inside the same without window)

Standard Outside 2/3/4 Berth Cabin

Bridge

Atalante

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MS Atalante was eventually sold and arrived at Alang India at the end of November 2004 to be broken up.

Specifications for Atalante

Built: 1953 France

Rebuilt: Piraeus 1972, 1978 & 1993

Tons: 13,562 GRT

Length: 167.3m / 549ft

Width: 20.6m / 67.6ft

Draft: 7.9m / 25.9ft

Engines: Two ten cylinder Creusot B&W diesels;

Screws: Twin screws

Speed: 17 knots

Passengers: 484 twin – 635 all berths

Total Cabins: 430

242 – Outside: 188 – Inside: 54

Crew: 160

View her Deck Plan

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