The Lauro Lines of Italy ("Flotta Lauro") had been contemplating new ocean liners since the early 1960s for their growing passenger trade from Europe to Australia and New Zealand, which they had served since 1949 with converted American military vessels. When the superb Dutch-flag Willem Ruys and Oranje were withdrawn from their around-the-world service in 1964, they found very eager buyers. They were in excellent condition, but Lauro Lines gave them complete overhauls and renovations nevertheless.
Achille Lauro gained notoriety in 1985 when it was hijacked by four men with ties to the Palestine Liberation Front while enroute from Alexandria to Port Said, Egypt when most of the passengers were ashore on an overland tour to Cairo.
Sample minimum one-way fares from Genoa to Wellington: First class $652; Tourist class $523; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars.
Go to Lauro Lines sailing schedules or select schedules by ship below:
![]() Achille Lauro Built: 1947 by Kon Maats de Schelde, Flushing, Holland Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |
![]() Angelina Lauro Built: 1939 by Netherlands SB Co, Amsterdam, Holland Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |