MV Royal Star, ex Ocean Islander, City of Andros, San Giorgio

ssMaritime

With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian

MV Royal Star

ex Ocean Islander, City of Andros, San Giorgio

Adriatica Lines MS San Giorgio seen in 1957

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 is currently owned by the Swiss-owned African Safari Club named Royal Star. The ship’s profile is quiet deceptive, for she certainly does not look her age. Since built, her forward and aft masts and holds were removed with a new signal mast atop her Bridge and a mast aft of her funnel. In addition, her Promenade Deck was extended forward and aft, making her an attractive ship indeed.

MS Royal Star

Adriatica Lines first Post War Ships

MS Esperia seen in Venice

After the war, Adriatica Line ordered the 9,314 GRT (Gross Registered Tons) Liner MS Esperia, which was completed in 1949. As built she accommodated 472 passengers. She enjoyed a long career and was scrapped in 1973. Next t be built were sister ships, MS Enotria and Messapia in 1951 and 1952. They were of a similar design, but were smaller at 5,200 GRT, accommodating 268 passengers. These three ships operated on different routes, covering services from Italy to Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey.

Adriatica Lines official post card of the MS Esperia

Adriatica Lines official post card of MS Enotria and Messapia

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 GRT, MS San Marco and San Giorgio were completed in 1956. San Marco and San Giorgio were the first Italian ships to be fitted with Denny-Brown stabilizers. Another first was a pair of A framed, raked Bipod masts, which gave these small Liners an exciting new look. 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. Both ships are fully stabilised and air-conditioned.

Post card of Adriatica’s attractive new liner, MS San Giorgio

San Marco and San Giorgio were built to operate on the Italy, Greece, Turkey service, visiting up to nine ports. Although being small ships, they were designed as Three Class ships. 92, First, 45 Second and 66 Tourist.

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 Italy, Greece and Turkey until loadings began to plummet. With cruising gaining popularity, she began operating cruises between Trieste and Genoa. However, after 20 years of service San Giorgio was sold in 1976, to Andreas and George Kyrtatas of Piraeus, who converted her into a full time cruise ship named MS City of Andros. She operated on three and four day mini cruises out of Piraeus. Sadly we are unable to obtain any photographs of her as the City of Andros.

After her extensive rebuild Ocean Islander became an attractive looking ship indeed!

City of Andros was sold in 1984 to a new cruise operation named Ocean Cruise Lines. She was rebuilt into a luxury cruise ship and was renamed MS Ocean Islander. The rebuilding saw her forward and aft masts and holds removed with a new signal mast placed atop her Bridge and a small mast aft of her funnel. In addition, her Promenade Deck was extended forward and aft. Ocean Islander joined the companies other ship, MS Ocean Princess. In summer Ocean Islander sailed along the Dalmatian coast from Venice, and in winter she headed for the Caribbean cruising out of Barbados.

MS Ocean Islander

In 1990, Ocean Cruise Lines was bought by Accor SA and Chargeurs SA, a company who also owned Paquet Cruises. However, MS Ocean Islander was not of the sale and she was sold to the Swiss-owned African Safari Club. She was renamed Royal Star and currently cruises out of Mombassa to the “Paradise Islands” of the Indian Ocean.

5,600 GRT - MS Royal Star seen at anchor

Between 1990 and 2005, she received additional refurbishments, which saw improvements made throughout the ship. In addition, changes were made to cabin layouts, lowering her passenger capacity to just 200 passengers, 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

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 will celebrate her 50^th year at sea.

Royal Star has become famed for her intimate atmosphere, which is more akin to a private yacht compared to today’s larger 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 so few passengers there is no danger of overwhelming the character and often delicate ecosystem of the ports visited, thus preserving the experience sought after.

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.

Royal Star Photo Page

Includes the ships deck Plan

Visit the African Safari Club website

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I trust you have enjoyed reading this page on two fine and much loved passenger cargo ships. If you have sailed on them 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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