The Last Ocean Liners

Canadian Pacific Steamships

Empress of England / Empress of Canada

 

To the ship profiles

Canadian Pacific Steamships In recognition of the post-World War II demand for economical transportation of tourists and migrants, the Empress of England and Empress of Canada were designed with Tourist class occupying most of the space, which was a fundamental change of ship design. A third sister, Empress of Britain was sold to the Greek Line in 1964. All three ocean liners were fully air-conditioned and stabilized.

They were of a higher standard to fill a dual role of cruising profitably in the winter when the St. Lawrence River was not navigable as well as crossing the Atlantic in warmer months. Their normal route was from Montreal and Quebec City to Greenock and Liverpool. Canadian Pacific advertised a scenic 1,000 mile passage on calm, sheltered waters down the St. Lawrence River on the way to Europe.

Canadian Pacific Steamships First class staterooms on Empress of England were all on A-Deck and had private facilities. Tourist class staterooms were on A, B and C-Decks, with upper and lower berths for either two or four passengers. Each class had its own lounge, smoking room, cocktail bar and restaurant. Both classes had access to the indoor swimming pool, "Empress" ballroom and a cinema. First class also enjoyed a Sun Veranda Lounge on Boat Deck with a glazed roof and glass doors opening onto a sheltered sun deck.

Canadian Pacific Steamships Empress of Canada was a slightly larger, improved running mate. First class had the "Mayfair" lounge, "St. Lawrence Club" and "Salle Frontenac" restaurant. First class cabins and suites aboard Empress of Canada were forward on Empress Deck and midship on Upper Deck. Tourist class had the "Windsor" lounge, "Banff Club" and "Carleton" restaurant. The two-deck "Canada Room", a cinema and indoor swimming pool were shared by both classes.

Canadian Pacific Steamships "For fun on the way... sail to Europe on a White Empress... relaxing staterooms, spacious friendly public rooms, wide decks for sunning, strolling, sports. Enjoy a morning swim, a snooze in the afternoon, evenings of cards, movies, parties, dancing. You start your holiday en route!"

Declining demand moved Canadian Pacific to withdraw Empress of England in 1970 and sell her to the Shaw Savill Line as a replacement for their Southern Cross. Empress of Canada only remained in service until November, 1971 when she was laid up and then sold two months later to Carnival Cruise Lines as their first cruise ship.


Sample minimum one-way fares from Montreal to Liverpool: First class $347; Tourist class $221; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars.


Continue to the ships below ...



Go to Canadian Pacific Steamships sailing schedules or select schedules by ship below:


Empress of England (Canadian Pacific Steamships) 1957
Empress of England Canadian Pacific Steamships
Built: 1957 by Vickers-Armstrongs, Newcastle, England Gross tons: 25585 Length: 640ft (195m) Width: 85ft (26m) Draft: 29ft (9m) Speed: 20kn Power: 30000 shp Propulsion: Steam turbines twin screw Passengers: 160 First 898 Tourist End of service: Sold 1970 as Ocean Monarch; scrapped 1975
Go to sailing schedules for this ship.

Empress of Canada (Canadian Pacific Steamships) 1961
Empress of Canada Canadian Pacific Steamships
Built: 1961 by Vickers-Armstrongs, Newcastle, England Gross tons: 27284 Length: 650ft (198m) Width: 87ft (27m) Draft: 29ft (9m) Speed: 20kn Power: 30000 shp Propulsion: Steam turbines twin screw Passengers: 192 First 856 Tourist End of service: Laid up 1971; sold 1972 as Mardi Gras then Olympic; scrapped 2003
Go to sailing schedules for this ship.