ss Ausonia

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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

---SS Ausonia---

In 2005 she was renamed “Ivory” and in 2007 “Aegean two”

--June 2007 - This page has been updated with many new photographs added--

Above & Below: SS Ausonia seen in her original Adriatica Line livery

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 provide 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; Trieste, Venice, Brindisi, Alexandria, Beirut, Alexandria (Piraeus), Bari, Venice, and Trieste.

Official Adriatica Postcard

Ausonia measures 522 x 70ft with a draught of 21ft 5 inches. Engines: Steam DR geared Turbines 22,000 SHP, twin screw with a service speed of 21 knots, maximum speed of 25 knots. She accommodated 181 first, 118 second, 230 tourist class passengers and had a crew of 215.

When built it was said that she was a “ship of advanced design featuring a contemporary style of accommodation and furnishings. She was the largest and fastest liner operating in the Mediterranean at that time.

Ausonia seen in her new role as a cruise ship, but prior to her being rebuilt

In 1978/79, Ausonia was refitted by Arsenale Triestino, San Marco, made ready for cruising the Mediterranean for Italia Crociere Internazionali. Her passenger capacity increased to 690 passengers.

Fincantieri Builders plate for her rebuilding programme in 1986

In 1983, she was registered under the ownership of Ausonia Crociere of Naples, part of the Grimaldi-SIOSA group. In 1986, her forward superstructure and aft decks were extended providing new lounges and increasing her passenger capacity to 750. The new alterations certainly did not enhance her former beauty, but her interior beauty remaines and still remains a delight to behold to this day!

Above & Below: Seen with her new forward & aft extensions

In May 1998, Louis Cruise Lines of Cyprus purchased her and operated mostly mini cruises to Lebanon and Egypt. She was chartered to the British cruise operator First Choice. The following photographs show her with the colourful First Choice livery.

Louis Lines chartered Ausonia to First Choice Cruises

Above, and the two photographs below were taken in Southampton in 2002

These three Photographs are displayed courtesy

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 UK cruising market, which she served before with First Choice and was very popular in that role.”

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

Happily, Ausonia keeps on sailing, but having sailed under the same name since being built, for some reason Louis Cruises decided in 2005 to rename her Ivory, and then the Aegean Two, lord knows why? There is no doubt, but she has been meticulously maintained thus she remains with us today, and we hope that she will sail on for years to come!

2005 Refurbishment

During a 45 night cruise on P&O’s MV Oriana we visited Piraeus on March 22 2005 and I was able to photograph the Ausonia which was having a general overhaul.

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.

Ausonia seen with her new name and a rather drab blue funnel

SS Aegean Two

Externally this once famed compact Italian classic liner has been given a bright new modern look whilst her interiors have been given a comprehensive makeover. Golden Star Cruises have renamed this fine classic ship SS “Aegean two” and sails out of Piraeus Greece operating regular three and four night Aegean Sea cruises visiting all the popular Greek Islands as well as Kusadasi in Turkey between March and November. These cruises are very popular as fly/cruise options for the UK, USA and South African market. Happily, this delightful classic ex Italian liner will sail on for a while yet into the future. Good luck SS Ausonia! Photo Album follows.

This fine 50 year old ship simply looks magnificent and she has been magnificently maintained by Louis Cruise Lines

Photograph by & © 2007 George Zachariadis

“Aegean two” Photo Album

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

Superior outside twin

Outside twin with a window

Outside standard twin

Inside two berth cabin

Aft a new oversized Jacuzzi has been added

Aegean two seen at anchor

My only regret is that Louis Cruises decided to change the historic name she carried for 48 years. Only one ex Italian liner continues to sail under her original name the SS Oceanic that now sails for a Spanish cruises ship owned by Pullmantur Cruises.

Enter the: Aegean two Deck Plan

Late Notice - April 2008

It has been rumoured that the ship may soon be decommissioned, which will be sad for she is in a suburb condition in every sense of the word and I know folk who have sailed on her last year and they raved about her. So let’s hope that she will sail on for a few years yet!

I trust you have enjoyed reading this page on this fine and much loved passenger liner. If you have sailed on her I would like to hear from you, and if you have any photographs I would greatly appreciate some, especially those of the interiors and out on deck. Email Me!

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