Demolishing DAPHNE; Catching Up With CORA
On June 14, 2014, the 1955-built DAPHNE was beached for scrapping at Alang after a five week voyage from the Cretan port of Souda, where she has been laid up since the September 2012 collapse of last owners, Classic International Cruises.
DAPHNE was built as the refrigerated cargo vessel PORT SYDNEY for Port Line’s UK to New Zealand and Australia service by Swan Hunter and Wigham Richardson at Wallsend-on-Tyne. She was laid up in 1971, then sold to Greek-owned Carras Cruises, who renamed her AKROTIRI EXPRESS. Taking inspiration from Sun Line’s successful STELLA SOLARIS, she was completely rebuilt into the deluxe cruise ship DAPHNE, entering service in July of 1975.
As DAPHNE, she sailed for Costa Cruises from 1979 through 1996, when she was sold to Leisure Cruises and renamed SWITZERLAND. In 2002, she was purchased by Majestic International Cruises and renamed OCEAN MONARCH. In late 2007, OCEAN MONARCH was sold to Lisbon-based Classic International Cruises (CIC), who refitted and renamed her PRINCESS DAPHNE. When CIC went bankrupt in 2012, the ship was seized at Souda and offered for sale. Sadly, the only takers were the Alang shipbreakers who were able to fire up the ship’s original Doxford diesel engines for a final voyage to the Indian scrapping beach, where she was delivered under the name DAPHNE.
DAPHNE’s nearly identical twin, the PRINCESS DANAE, is currently at Lisbon undergoing an extensive refit for a hopeful return to service soon for new owners Portuscale Cruises.
Demolition of the DAPHNE will commence after local customs clears the ship, most likely in early July.
Meanwhile, the last remnants of another popular 1970’s era cruise ship, the CORA, are about to vanish from the mud of Alang. CORA was built in 1971 as the CUNARD ADVENTURER for Cunard Line. In 1976, she was sold to NCL and refitted as the SUNWARD II. In 1991, she was sold to Epirotiki Lines (later Royal Olympic Cruises) and renamed TRITON, then in 2004 after the collapse of ROC, was sold to Louis Cruises, who renamed her CORAL.
An intended return to service as the LOUIS RHEA this year was scrubbed when the ship was sold for scrap.
Peter Knego
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Sad. I saw her several times during her long life as a cruise ship and was fortunate to sail on her when she was Switzerland – an exciting cruise from Buenos Aires, around Cape Horn, to Valparaiso.
I look back with great affection for this ship. She had a long life as both cargo liner and as a cruise ship.
Sad, I think the Princess Daphne and Princess Danae were the last pair of sister ships out of the world’s remaining ocean liners. So, now I’ll never be able to travel on two liners from the same class.
Peter – this is a great piece, thanks for the up to the minute picture from her beaching and detailed history. Sorry to see the old girl go, but she did indeed have a good life, and so did her passengers, my Mother included who toured Greek isles many summers ago.
I had a very interesting and historic cruise on Daphne in 1978 from NYC for an overnight stay in Havana, Cuba before sailing and terminating in Nassau. Carter was President and things had warmed up briefly with Cuba. I think we were the first American cruise passengers in almost 20 years. We were taken to the famous Tropicana outdoor night club and our presence was announced from the stage to very warm applause. Daphne was a very nice ship with very spacious cabins and excellent food and service. Carras was trying to make inroads into the deluxe market but they were not very successful. She had a long career under many house flags.
The return of the sistership “Lisboa” (Princess Danae) seems doubtful. It is heard that the extent of necessary work proved too much and the repairs were discontinued. She should have been back in service by now.
Considering that the charter contract for “Azores” was terminated, Portuscale Cruises doesn´t really need her anyway.
Alang have good enginers because re-fired a 1955 Doxford after 2 years without maintenance is a great job!
I have wonderful memories of this special ship; sailed her as the Ocean Monarch in 2005 on a round trip cruise from the Tyne to Norway, and again five years later- as Princess Daphne- on a wonderful springtime voyage from Nice to Dover.
The cabins were, indeed, huge for the size of the ship. And, crossing a very tumultuous Biscay, she behaved far better than many far bigger ships I could mention.
She was certainly a captivating and very charismatic lady; as others have mentioned above, she led a long and illustrious life, and brought pleasure to thousands of people. And, while it is sad indeed to see her go, that is the way of these things,
These two ships are the final reminders of one of Britain’s finest shipping lines. Port Line was owned by Cunard, hence the same funnel colours. In the 1950s they operated beautiful, streamlined ships including the yacht-like sisters PORT BRISBANE and PORT AUCKLAND. The best history of the company is The Tyser Legacy by Ian Farquhar.
DAPHNE was a little gem, she incorporated a few interior “firsts” that were to set Carras into the luxury scheme of things, alas, they failed.
We sailed in the DAPHNE under Costa, in Alaska, worst Alaskan cruise we took, not the ships fault, the itinerary was poor and we really wanted to sail the ship so in all fairness, we were pleased with the ship, the crew and the dining.
The major interest here for readers that actually sail on passenger ships, is the work that was done and completed by the Greek owners, Carras. Simply amazing interior spaces and decor that was over the top lovely.
Tthank you Pter, for the insight on Cunard and the funnel colors (sans “U”).
As the shortening of the charter of Azores was mentioned by Raik in a posting above I thought I should just bring to everyone’s attention that Azores will be sailing as a fleet mate to Marco Polo. CMV has chartered her for 2015 as a replacement for Discovery.
I have fond memories of her as the Port Sydney. I was a first year fitter in London and she used to berth very close to us. Our Company had the contracts to service her and I loved changing the main end bearings in her Doxfords. This around 1964-65.
It almost seems as though no matter where I would go I would see one of these two ships somewhere along the way. Although kidding myself it was as if they would last forever rather than practicality becoming final chapter in a of what has been termed “Classic” former ocean liners. A future full of characterless Toyota’s, Honda’s and floating apartment buildings is not very inspiring or adding anything of value to the history of transportation. But we as a culture that has hit rock bottom in an era that went from grand downtown department stores to to Walmart’s full of cheap Chinese junk.
Oh no ! then what will become with the Discovery in 2015?
Elias, One has to assume that Discovery will be sold for scrap. I believe that she is a tired old lady, having been worked very hard during her years with Princess. I doubt anyone would be willing to invest huge sums of money in her to bring her up to required standards.
yes, CMV is chartering “Azores” and replacing the Discovery. http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/island_venture_1972.htm
Since All Leisure Group has declared the Intention to sell the Discovery, the fate of yet another classic cruise ship is in doubt.
Raik: yep, “out with the old, in with the even older.”
Clive: Strange but true. Strange because ALG have been advertising her through S&P brokers for a year at $18-$20 million if scrap value
is all she’ll realise. Why not advertise for $10 mill. I know a guy in China who’d pay that.
Again another beauty goes up on the beach. I guess, to quote a passenger on Titanic, “That’s the way of it at this kind of time.”
There is zilch.zip sentimentality to save the older ladies of the blue water simply because of SOLAS, the cost of maintenance and the behemoths that pass for cruise ships today. These big tarts of today have everything but indoor horse or motor racing tracks. The era of a good book, a deck chair, pleasant music at dinner and men and ladies actually sitting down conversing and sipping a cocktail or an aperitif, well, they seem to be gone forever. I truly must be getting old.
Joe Sturges
one must surely see that as with everything that is man made the future is always the goal, the work to be the best, and more over, competition to set ones product or service above the competition.
AH, and more importantly, to offer what the buying public wants, no, what the buying public DEMANDS. Ships are no different.
I worked in the shop on board in 86 in Alaska with John Daley then sailed south through the Panama canal to FT Lauderdale
Good memories,I worked on-board in 86 when sailing in Alaska from Vancouver in the shop ran by Allders International.
We had many passengers from Mexico as well as from the US
At the end of the summer season we re-positioned down through the Panama canal,I remember disembarking a passenger who had died during the night in Balboa.
Finally reaching Ft Lauderdale.
Paul Adams
1986 was the year we took our second Alaska cruise, and that was the year we sailed the DAPHNE – our “big” LOL purchase was a Limoges Costa decorative plate of the DAPHNE, in Costa livery! I bet you waited on me in the shop.
That cruise served the best halibut, caught off of the ship by the crew and served that night in the MDR. Another great treat, the cruise director, forgot his name, assisted in bringing a huge glacial ice chunk aboard for use in cocktails. Never have I had ice so pure.
Funny, the year before we took the PACIFIC PRINCESS, enjoyed the 12 day itinerary more than the DAPHNES, yet, enjoyed the DAPNHE as a ship over the PP.
Lots of good memories.
I was one of the marine engineers who worked in Carras Shipping to assist in the conversion of the vessel from a reefer ship to a cruise liner.
Very very sad to see her going for scrap.
Is as if a part of your life experiences is deleted for ever.
Portuscale Cruises has sold her sister, Lisboa, Ex. Daphne, reportedly for scrap. During the refurbishement work it turned out to be too much to do. This week, Portuscale announced they are cancelling the Marketing of cruise voyages anyway. They will only charter the ships.
Sad to see her gone. I experienced my so far only cruise on this ship, in 1993. It was an info cruise arranged by Costa for travel agents, from Venice via Messina to Livorno, where she was going to be renovated. I am still hoping to go on a cruise again sometime, since I haven’t forgotten this trip with fantastic service, not to mention the breakfast on the rear sun-deck on a beautiful November-morning 🙂
My husband and took our Honeymoon cruise on the Daphne. She sailed out of Puerto Rico. What a beautiful ship.
Daphne was my first ship as a Cruise Director. Way back in 1990. She was very special. I learned my “stage craft” in her little showroom. Out of San Juan, seven ports seven days. Can’t believe it’s 26 years ago. She definitely held my hand in my early years in showbiz. I’m still in the industry now! Ha! …and it all started on Daphne. Thanks to you, lil’ ship.
My wife and I took our first cruise on her out of San Juan. You’re right, Nick, about 7 ports in 7 days. (Eight islands if you went over to St. Johns from St. Thomas.) Does anyone know what the cabin capacity was on that ship? I’m guessing about 400. Daphne was more like a big yacht than a cruise ship of today.
My very first cruise was on the Daphne back in the late 70’s. I think it was partially due to this ship and the Caribbean cruise on her that prompted me to get into the travel business. I am a travel consultant and even though I have cruised on countless ships, the Daphne holds a very special place in my travelling adventures.
Sailing on the daphne was my first cruise ever. We did the west carribean 1 week after hurrican hugo. We had to skip st. Croix due to all the damage and replaced it with Barbados which was a plus. So sad she is gone.
Daphne and Danae were chartered to Costa and later bought by them. I was Canadian Manager for Costa in those days and if I remember5 correctly she carried 454 pax. All cabins had bathroom facilities with shower and toilet and some even with bathtubs. Also some cabins had balconies. Unheard of in those days.
There is an interesting clip on YouTube showing her engines being test run prior to the trip to the breakers – the engine room looks immaculate and those Doxford diesels are quite a sight to behold. Sad to see such unique engineering being destroyed.