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With Reuben
Goossens
Maritime
Historian
---SS Ausonia---
The elegant SS Ausonia seen in
From the author’s private collection
After
fifty years sailing the seas a great little Italian liner continues to ply the
seas giving so much enjoyment to countless thousands of holiday makers from
around the world. What attracts many to this ship is the fact that she is a
true vintage cruise ship that provides that something special that only a
classic ship can, yet she has all the modern facilities that are available on
other newer cruise ships. This is the story of a remarkable ship, the Ausonia.
The
11,879 GRT (Gross Registered Ton) SS Ausonia was built
especially for Adriatica Lines Trieste-Egypt-Lebanon service
by Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico, Monfalcone. She was launched on August 5,
1956 and delivered to Adriatica Lines on September
23, 1957, and commenced her duties early the next month. Her regular ports of
call were as follows;
An official Adriatica
Postcard
From the author’s private collection
Ausonia
measures 522 x 70ft with a draught of 21ft 5 inches. Engines:
Ausonia seen in her new role as a cruise ship
From the author’s private collection
In
1978/79, Ausonia was refitted by
Photograph by & © 2007 George
Zachariadis
In
1983, she was registered under the ownership of Ausonia Crociere
of
Above & Below: Seen with her new forward & aft extensions
From the author’s private collection
In
May 1998, Louis Cruise Lines of Cyprus purchased her and operated mostly mini
cruises to
Louis Lines chartered Ausonia to First Choice Cruises
Above, and the two photographs below were taken in
These three Photographs are
displayed courtesy
of the Seapix
collection, NZ - © all rights reserved
A passenger, who sailed on Ausonia in 1999, whilst
she was operated by First Choice, had the following to say about this
delightful ship … “I sailed on her Ausonia in 2001
and she was in fantastic condition, having been extensively refurbished
for First Choice holidays. She would make an amazing ship for the
Seen in her Louis Cruises livery
Venezia Piano Lounge & Bar
Faraone Restaurant
Starboard glass enclosed
Promenade Deck
Pool & lido deck
A current photo album is located
at bottom of the page
2005
Refurbishment
During
a 45 night cruise on P&O’s
Prior to departure she will be
painted gleaming white again
SS
Ivory
In
2005 Louis Cruise Line transferred her to Iona Maritime Co Ltd, Piraeus, Greece
and she was renamed Ivory and commenced cruising out of Greece.
However
this venture was short lived and just over a year or so later, in 2007 she transferred
to yet another Greek Company “Golden Star Cruises” and given
another new name.
Ausonia seen with her new name and what is a rather
drab blue funnel
Photo by & © 2006 George Koutsoukis
SS
Aegean Two
Golden
Star Cruises gave the ex Ausonia an external new modern look with her bow section
receiving a large pained feature, whilst her interiors were given a
comprehensive makeover. Golden Star Cruises then renamed this fine classic ship
SS Aegean two and she was placed on regular three and four night Aegean Sea
cruises sailing out of Piraeus, visiting all the popular Greek Islands as well
as Kusadasi in Turkey between March and
November. These cruises were very popular as fly/cruise options from the
This fine 50 year old ship has been magnificently
maintained by Louis Cruise Lines
Photograph by & © 2007 George Zachariadis
“
Voyager Lounge-Night Club
Reception Hall
Glass enclosed Promenade named the
“Orangery” it also has a Library and games facility
Pharaoh’s Restaurant
Discovery Show Lounge
Discovery Bar
A deluxe suite
Accommodations range, from deluxe suites,
staterooms, outside twin bedded, and economical twin or two berth
inside cabins
Outside deluxe room
Outside standard twin
Inside two berth cabin
Enter the:
Aegean two Deck Plan
Farewell Ausonia!
It had already been rumoured in 2008 that she was
to be decommissioned, which was a sad thought for obviously she was in perfrct condition in every sense of the word, and I
personally know many who sailed on her and they raved about her condition.
However, the sad fact is that her owners,
Farewell Ausonia, you were indeed a wonderful ship and
I am well aware that countless thousands of past passengers and all ship lovers
from around the world will never forget your sheer beauty and the delights you
have given so many, for you were one of the few last real ships left in the
world!
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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”