- 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 Shaw Savill & Albion Company built two quite advanced one class ocean liners for continuous around-the-world service. Voyages were approximately 75 days, from Southampton to Australia and New Zealand outward via South Africa and return via Panama or in reverse order.
Southern Cross was a remarkable ship for its time, with significant innovative features. It was the first major liner with funnel and engines aft, which created substantial midship passenger space, the first passenger ship that carried no cargo (except stores) and the first major modern liner with all tourist class accommodations.
The slightly larger Northern Star followed a few years later, though with less attractive interior finishing of formica and linoleum and suffering somewhat from mechanical troubles. It sailed eastbound while its fleet mate sailed westbound, with each ship completing four voyages per year.
Both the Southern Cross and Northern Star had similar accommodation layouts. There was a large open Sports deck and a Sun deck with outdoor pool. The Lounge Deck offered a forward lounge, writing room, library, smoking room, two-deck cinema lounge and a tavern. There were forward and aft restaurants and a proper wrap around Promenade Deck. The most comfortable staterooms had two lower beds, but the majority had upper and lower berths for two or four without private facilities, and some had six berths.
"Perhaps you just want to sail on and on, with fresh horizons each dawn and a new port to look forward to. Shaw Savill Round-the-World voyages are for you."
Immediately after World War II, Shaw Savill Line ordered a quartet of passenger cargo liners for service between England and New Zealand via Trinidad, Curacao and the Panama Canal. The first pair, Athenic and Corinthic, served until 1965. The second pair, Ceramic and Gothic, carried passengers until 1969. Gothic is best known for its exclusive duty of five months as the royal yacht in 1953/54 for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation world tour.
Ceramic and Gothic had 53 unusually spacious First class staterooms, most with private facilities plus six large primarily refrigerated cargo holds. They were well-appointed with fine woods, Persian rugs, tapestries, murals and paintings. Public rooms included a smoking room with bar, veranda cafe, lounge and dining room.
Note: Arrival and departure of Ceramic and Gothic in New Zealand could be either Auckland or Wellington depending on cargo.
Sample minimum one-way fares from Southampton to Cape Town: One class $269; from Southampton to Sydney: One class $530; All fares are per person in U.S. dollars.
Go to Shaw Savill Line sailing schedules or select schedules by ship below:
 Southern Cross Built: 1955 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast, N Ireland Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |
 Northern Star Built: 1962 by Vickers-Armstrongs, Southampton, England Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |
 Ceramic Built: 1948 by Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, England Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |
 Gothic Built: 1948 by Swan Hunter & Wigham Richardson, Newcastle, England Go to sailing schedules for this ship. |