- The Last NORTH ATLANTIC Ocean Liners
- Last Ocean Liners to AFRICA & LATIN AMERICA
- To AUSTRALIA, FAR EAST & AROUND-the-WORLD
- SAILING SCHEDULES January to December 1966
- RANK & COMPARE the Last Ocean Liners
The Greek Line's first vessel was an older liner, which entered service in 1939. As the business grew they added several second-hand ships until 1953 when, with an aging fleet and seeing a bright future, the company launched the first new ocean liner to be built for Greek interests.
After some controversy, the Olympia, built in Scotland and flying the Liberian flag, began transatlantic service between Bremerhaven and New York. Olympia finally began regular Greek Line service between Greece and New York in 1955, carrying migrants and tourists to the U.S. and Canada. Later, some Caribbean cruises were added each winter and some voyages were extended to Israel.
Tourist class occupied most of the ship, while First class enjoyed an exclusive club-like area on the Sun Deck, with some interchangeable cabins in between. Olympia was successful and well-regarded for good food and for the hospitality of the friendly Greek crew.
"Sailing with the happy Greeks is a uniquely joyous experience. It's fun and sun and frolic and laughter and wonderful food. In short, it's the sheer joy of luxurious living aboard the bright sparkling OLYMPIA."
When Canadian Pacific's eight-year-old Empress of Britain was up for sale in 1965, and with liner services to the Mediterranean less affected by jet travel than the North Atlantic, it was bought by Greek Line and renamed Queen Anna Maria. It was updated for a dual purpose role as an ocean liner and cruise ship, including installation of air-conditioning throughout the ship and private bathrooms in all cabins, adding a new lido deck with four swimming pools and a large night club at the stern.
Greek Line also operated the former austerity liner New Australia, which was bought in 1958 from Shaw Savill Line. It was given a complete refit, renamed Arkadia and assigned to transatlantic service between Canada and Western Europe, cruising from the U.K. and France in the winter months. Arkadia was originally the notable three-funnel luxury liner Monarch of Bermuda on the New York to Bermuda run, which had been gutted by fire while being refitted for passenger service after duty in World War II.
Queen Anna Maria was a more suitable fleetmate for Olympia, so Arkadia was soon withdrawn and broken up.
The increase in fuel prices as well as airline competition were the main reasons for the collapse of the Greek Line in 1975. Both of their remaining ocean liners were sold to become Florida-based cruise ships.
Sample minimum one-way fares from New York to Piraeus: First class $512; Tourist class $307; from New York to Haifa: First class $543; Tourist class $360; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars.
Go to Greek Line sailing schedules or select schedules by ship below:
 Olympia Built: 1953 by A Stephen & Sons, Glasgow, Scotland Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |
 Queen Anna Maria Built: 1956 by Fairfield SB & Eng Co Ltd, Glasgow, Scotland Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |
 Arkadia Built: 1931 by Vickers-Armstrongs, Newcastle, England Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |