page one: OLYMPIA

In her latest solid medium blue and white livery, the glistening REGAL EMPRESS departs New York on July 22, 2001. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2001.

Celebrating her 50th birthday, Imperial Majesty Cruise Line's REGAL EMPRESS soldiers on as one of the last classic passenger ships in U.S.-based cruise service. She is unique for her intimate size and beautiful old world craftsmanship, recalling a time when luxuriant paneling, etched glass, and solid brass fittings were standard shipboard elements. In this next suite of pages, Maritime Matters will provide an illustrated history and tour of REGAL EMPRESS as Greek Line's OLYMPIA, Commodore Cruise Line's CARIBE I, and a detailed look at the ship as she is today.

Built as OLYMPIA
Transatlantic Shipping Corporation (Greek Line)
Built by Alexander Stephen and Sons Ltd., Glasgow
Yard no: 636
Extensively rebuilt at Perama in 1982 and Hamburg in 1983
22,979 GT (as built)
186.1 by 24.1 m/ 611 by 79 feet
Two Pametrada geared turbines; Twin screw; 26,000 SHP 21 knots (as built)
Passengers: 50/196 first, 1,160/1,306 tourist (as built)

A common artists' rendering post card view of OLYMPIA. Peter Knego collection.

The OLYMPIA was a product of the Alexander Stephen and Sons, Ltd. Shipyard at Glasgow, Scotland. While not as well known as John Brown or even Cammell Laird, they had produced a number of fine intermediate sized post war passenger ships including BI's KARANJA and KAMPALA, Elder & Fyffes' CAMITO and GOLFITO, and Elder Dempster Lines' yacht-like AUREOL. There were many rumors that hull number 636 was originally to have been an aircraft carrier (or perhaps another type of military ship) that was partially under way when the order was canceled. Although there is no known official verification, this is sometimes cited as a reason for the OLYMPIA's particularly sturdy hull and deep draft of 28 feet 1 inch.

The handsome Greek Line logo (left) would also serve as OLYMPIA's bow crest. She is shown under way (right) just prior to her launch on April 16, 1953.

Not only was the OLYMPIA the first ship to be built for the 14 year old Greek Line, she was the first major passenger ship to be ordered for any Greek-owned shipping company. Until that time, all Greek liners were secondhand ships. Her owners, the Goulandris Group, had intended to name her after Queen Frederica, but prior to her completion, a financial dispute with the government led to the ship's realized name and her registry in Monrovia.

Left, hull 636's streamlined funnel during the fitting out process. The golden Greek Line crown (right) was affixed to the blue band between its black top and yellow base.

OLYMPIA was initially used for the North Atlantic run between New York, Halifax, Cobh, Cherbourg, Southampton, and Bremerhaven, although her two outdoor pools and lido areas would indicate she was ultimately intended for the warmer southern route from New York to the Mediterranean and Greece. During the winter season, OLYMPIA would be employed in cruise service.

An early view of the sleek, modern OLYMPIA. Peter Knego collection.

With her sharply raked bow, elegantly rounded superstructure, tripod radio and main masts, and cruiser stern, OLYMPIA was an external combination of the best modern architectural elements. Her forward hull was knuckled in a fashion to allow Main Deck to have vertical outboard bulkheads. Other important passenger ships to employ this feature would include SOUTHERN CROSS, ORIANA, and CANBERRA. Primarily a tourist class liner, OLYMPIA followed shortly after HAL's RYNDAM and MAASDAM introduced new standards in budget Atlantic travel. By all accounts, she was even more well-equipped than the popular Dutch duo. Initially, OLYMPIA carried between 50 and 196 first class passengers and 1,160 to 1,306 tourist class passengers with a portion of her accommodation interchangeable upon demand. Her Pametrada geared turbines were capable of 25,000 shaft horsepower to drive twin screws at a respectable service speed of 21 knots. She was fully air-conditioned and fitted with Flume type stabilizers.

A color view of OLYMPIA during one of her cruises. Peter Knego collection.

After her maiden voyage on October 20, 1953, OLYMPIA remained in North Atlantic service until early 1955, when she was assigned to the Mediterranean route from New York or Boston to Halifax, Lisbon, Naples, Messina, and Piraeus. In 1961, her service was extended to include Limassol and Haifa. As built, OLYMPIA had eight passenger levels, beginning at the top with the Sports (or Boat) Deck level, and continuing downward with the Sun Deck, Promenade Deck, Upper Deck, Main Deck, A Deck, B Deck, and C Deck. This would later be reconfigured as Sun and Sports, Sun, Promenade, Upper, Restaurant, Main, A, and B Decks. Our first look at OLYMPIA will be in her original configuration.

A view facing forward/starboard from aft Sports Deck over the OLYMPIA's sheltered first class pool. The doors behind lead to the Aegean Club. Peter Knego collection.

The Sports Deck began forward at the bridge wings, encompassing the ship's wheelhouse and chart room. Forward of the funnel casing, there was an athwartships games area that continued aft on either side past the funnel and a small deck house, reconverging forward of the first class pool opening and continuing aft along narrow promenades to an observation area. This level, as well as the Sun and Promenade Decks, was reserved for first class passenger use.

The OLYMPIA's most lavish suite, "A", was located on forward/starboard Sun Deck. Peter Knego collection.

Sun Deck began with an open forward observation area, continuing along either side with open promenades underneath the ship's lifeboats and concluding aft all the way with a small terrace overlooking the stern. Internally, it started with a block of officers' accommodation and the Radio Room. A vestibule just aft, Radio Square, led to port and starboard passageways flanking the ship's first class suites. Of these, Suite A on the starboard side was the most stylish and impressive with its curved wooden screen separating the bedroom from the sitting area.

A color view of the bedroom of Suite B or C (left) and a look at one of the inviting sitting rooms (right). Peter Knego collection.

The next best accommodation, Suites B , C, and D occupied the forward port, midships port, and midships starboard portions of Sun Deck. They, too came with separate sleeping and sitting areas.

One of the deluxe outside double cabins on Sun Deck. Peter Knego collection.

The next grade of accommodation on Sun Deck included the deluxe outside single and double cabins beginning with S1 and continuing aft with S25 (odd numbers on starboard, even numbers on port).

The Aegean Club was the height of early 1950s post war deco "moderne" in look. This view is facing port/forward. Peter Knego collection.

The cozy 76 seat Aegean Club was located at the after portion of the Sun Deck superstructure, bridging the suite accommodation forward with the first class pool. It featured lush paneling and modern fixtures with gaily patterned linoleum decking. Sunken alcoves to either side offered refuge for six passengers each.

The first class children's playroom, Neverland, in a forward facing view. Peter Knego collection.

The first class pool followed immediately aft of the Aegean Club. Sheltered by screens on either side, the ship's superstructure forward and a deck house aft, it was open air in the "pre-Magrodome" era. Just aft, a small deck house contained Neverland (the first class playroom) in its starboard portion. Murals of Peter Pan gave this room its name.

The first class Olympic Gymnasium, facing aft. Peter Knego collection.

On the port side, the Olympic Gymnasium occupied the corresponding space, and a small balcony just aft provided a children's play area.

Continue here for OLYMPIA tour: Page two

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