- The Last NORTH ATLANTIC Ocean Liners
- Last Ocean Liners to AFRICA & LATIN AMERICA
- To AUSTRALIA, FAR EAST & AROUND-the-WORLD
- SAILING SCHEDULES for Full Year 1966
- RANK & COMPARE the Last Ocean Liners
The Greek-flag Chandris Lines entered the passenger ship trade in 1959. Their fast success led to a fleet of Chandris ocean liners serving the emigrant routes from Europe to Australia via Suez, usually returning via the Panama Canal for around-the-world, transatlantic and various port-to-port passengers.
Their first vessel was the former Union-Castle liner Bloemfontein Castle, rebuilt to increase its capacity from 700 to over 1,000 passengers. It was renamed Patris, carrying emigrants from Greece to Australia. Considered luxurious by the standards at the time, Patris featured a full-width main lounge, gallery, smoking room, two dining rooms and a swimming pool with pool bar.
In 1963, the U.S. flag Matson liner Lurline was for sale with mechanical issues. The solidly-built ocean liner was repaired and rebuilt by Chandris Lines, more than doubling its capacity. It was renamed Ellinis or "Greek Lady", and sailed from Southampton via Greece and the Suez Canal to Australia, returning via Tahiti, Panama and the Caribbean to the U.K.
Continuing prosperity led to Chandris putting their largest ocean liner into service in 1965. The U.S. flag transatlantic liner America was no longer needed and was quickly bought by Chandris and renamed Australis, the "Australian Lady", for the immigration and tourist trades.
On Promenade Deck, the First class smoking room, lounge, cocktail bar and ballroom were retained, but all Cabin and Tourist class public rooms on the ship were replaced by additional cabins. Extra berths were also installed so that the original capacity of 1,202 was nearly doubled as Australis.
"Come with us to the call of the sea. To its romance, its adventure and relaxation. To the sanity of having time to acclimatise yourself before setting foot in a new continent, and no time and temperature differences to upset your equilibrium... This then is your holiday at sea which offers so much for such a very reasonable fare. The great sea holiday that Chandris Lines promise you."
Business continued booming for Chandris Lines, such that when Ellinis' sister ship, Matson Lines' second Lurline (ex-Monterey/Matsonia) became available in 1970, they bought and rebuilt it in similar manner for the around-the-world service, renaming it Britanis, the "British Lady".
Sample minimum one-way fares from Southampton to Melbourne: One class $480; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars as published in 1968.
Go to Chandris Lines 1966 sailing schedules or select by ship below:
 Patris Built: 1950 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, N Ireland Go to 1966 sailing schedules for this ship. |
 Ellinis Built: 1933 by Bethlehem Steel, Quincy MA, USA Go to 1966 sailing schedules for this ship. |
 Australis Built: 1940 by Newport News SB & DD, Newport News VA, USA Go to 1966 sailing schedules for this ship. |