1952 – Present Day / The ocean greyhound to rule them all, United States was the last liner to capture the Blue Riband. However, her career was soon put on life support with government subsidies, and she was retired in 1969. Astonishingly, she survives to this day, although a sad shadow of her former self and with a very uncertain future.
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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.
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.
1961 – 1997 / The ‘Great White Whale’ of the P&O Line, Canberra was one of the last great liners built in the British Isles. Serving in the Falklands War, she had a long and prosperous career that eventually ended at the shipbreakers.
1965 – 1991 / The first of a stylish pair of Italian liners, the Michelangelo was built in a time when passengers preferred air travel. When failing to turn a profit, she was sold for use as an Iranian accommodation ship.
1969 – Present Day / Considered by many to be the last true ocean liner, the Queen Elizabeth 2 was strikingly modern at the time of her launch, but would eventually come to represent the past. Serving almost 40 years with Cunard, the QE2 became a legend in her own time, but was in the end sold off to make way for newer vessels.