- 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 Spanish Line, or Compania Trasatlantica Española, began operations in 1850 and unlike some of its larger transatlantic competitors, operated modest sized ocean liners. So it was decided in 1952 that the company would purchase two partially complete cargo ships and convert them into the passenger cargo liners Covadonga and Guadalupe, which then entered service in 1953. They replaced the three older, pre-war Habana, Magallanes and Marques de Comillas.
The pleasant and popular ocean liners were nearly identical, but Covadonga had a traditional Spanish interior while Guadalupe was more modern European. They connected the northern Spanish ports of Bilbao, Santander, Gijon and Vigo with New York either via Lisbon and Cadiz or via San Juan (originally Havana until 1963) and Veracruz. The 11 day return trip was directly from New York to Spain. Together they offered a sailing about every two to three weeks.
Covadonga and Guadalupe carried passengers in two classes starting with Boat Deck containing the First class music room. Promenade Deck had the First class smoking room and veranda lounge, plus two suites and 14 staterooms with private verandas, a very unusual feature at the time. Upper Deck had the First class dining room and 26 staterooms, followed by the Tourist class salon and bar. Main Deck had the Tourist class dining room and lounge, as well as the 65 mainly four-berth Tourist class staterooms.
"Once you step aboard the COVADONGA or GUADALUPE you will immediately feel the sincere hospitality and you will sense traditional Spanish atmosphere in every gesture and detail. Spanish industriousness and energy have spared nothing to make you feel comfortably at home on these vessels."
By 1973, the ships had reached 20 years of service, but with airline and containership competition it was decided to withdraw them. The ocean liners were broken up in Castellon, Spain.
Go to Spanish Line 1966 sailing schedules or select by ship below:
 Covadonga Built: 1953 by Soc. Euskalduna, Bilbao, Spain Go to 1966 sailing schedules for this ship. |
 Guadalupe Built: 1953 by Soc. Española de Construccion Naval, Bilbao, Spain Go to 1966 sailing schedules for this ship. |