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Southern Cross

1955 – 2003 / Also known as Calypso, Calypso I, Azure Seas, and OceanBreeze / Breaking the mould with an innovative exterior design, the long career of the Southern Cross would see her go from being daring and new to representing the old guard among modern cruise ships. Remarkably, she survived into the 21st century, but was ultimately sent to the breakers.

Statendam (IV)

1957 – 2004 / Also known as Rhapsody and Regent Star / One of the larger and faster additions to the Holland-America Line’s fleet in the post-war years, the fourth Statendam remained with the company into the eighties. Her career continued with other companies, and she managed to survive into the 21st century before finally being sold for scrap.

Empress of England

1957 – 1975 / Also known as Ocean Monarch / Another post-war ship that was built when the economy had recuperated, the Empress of England helped modernise the Canadian-Pacific fleet. Later in life, she was sold and refitted as a dedicated cruise ship, but lasted only a few more years before she was sold for demolition.

Gripsholm (II)

1957 – 2001 / Also known as Navarino and Regent Sea / Originally part of the ‘White Viking Fleet’, the second Gripsholm remained with SAL until the company folded. The ship went on to serve other companies in the cruising industry, but was lost in 2001, while under tow off the Cape of Good Hope.

Empress of Canada (III)

1961 – 2003 / Also known as Mardi Gras, Star of Texas, Lucky Star, and Apollon / Part of the revitalisation of the Canadian-Pacific fleet, the third Empress of Canada is arguably best remembered for becoming the first ship of the Carnival cruise fleet as the Mardi Gras.