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From various reports it seems that all three Canadian Pacific transatlantic Empresses were in a pretty poor state when they were retired. Ted Arison bought Empress of Canada in 1972 and very nearly went bankrupt converting her into a usable cruise ship to start Carnival. Greek Line bought Empress of Britain in 1965 and spent a lot of money on her before they went bust. Carnival bought her in 1975, then spent another $5 million bringing her up to cruise standard.
Shaw, Saville and Albion bought Empress of England in 1970 and sadly made the mistake of sending her to Cammell Laird for an inadequate £2 million refit at Cammell Laird. It was a disaster. She re-entered service six months late because of dockyard strikes, which cost SSA £12 million in lost revenue. She was a constant problem as Ocean Monarch. Her service out of Sydney was marred by persisitent break downs and staff troubles that earned her a bad reputation.
Fred
Shaw, Saville and Albion bought Empress of England in 1970 and sadly made the mistake of sending her to Cammell Laird for an inadequate £2 million refit at Cammell Laird. It was a disaster. She re-entered service six months late because of dockyard strikes, which cost SSA £12 million in lost revenue. She was a constant problem as Ocean Monarch. Her service out of Sydney was marred by persisitent break downs and staff troubles that earned her a bad reputation.
Fred
Maybe this ship just did not have time to "settle down"?
Both the "Star and Cross" ran like clock work with many of the crew with ten years experience or more - Very Important in key jobs like Engineers, Bosun, Carpenter, Electricians and Key Pursers Team.
If something went wrong they knew how to "fix it fast". From reading this site it seems the P&O and Union Castle Liners (on line voyages) were just the same. Probabably true of the CP ships too!? - When on their regular run with "regular" crews.
Both the "Star and Cross" ran like clock work with many of the crew with ten years experience or more - Very Important in key jobs like Engineers, Bosun, Carpenter, Electricians and Key Pursers Team.
If something went wrong they knew how to "fix it fast". From reading this site it seems the P&O and Union Castle Liners (on line voyages) were just the same. Probabably true of the CP ships too!? - When on their regular run with "regular" crews.
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As you will know waiwera, Southern Cross was replaced by Ocean Monarch.
Northern Star had a long history of unreliable machinery and was scrapped in 1974 after only 12 years service. Lloyds List stated later that she and Ocean Monarch were both scrapped because of "severe engine problems".
Even in the 1970s successful cruise ships had to utilise all of the ship for the passengers, have private facilities for all cabins, air conditioning throughout the accommodation and extensive entertainment facilities. The British ex-liners with large cargo and/or emigrant spaces were unsuited for the work. During the period when the UK market was served by Canberra the number of UK cruise passengers continually declined. When she was replaced by Oriana the UK cruise market took off.
The conversion of Ocean Monarch that SSA asked Cammell Laird to undertake was not extensive enough and the work failed to produce a reliable ship. Sadly she was doomed. Her sister properly converted by the Greeks and Carnival is still sailing today.
Fred
Northern Star had a long history of unreliable machinery and was scrapped in 1974 after only 12 years service. Lloyds List stated later that she and Ocean Monarch were both scrapped because of "severe engine problems".
Even in the 1970s successful cruise ships had to utilise all of the ship for the passengers, have private facilities for all cabins, air conditioning throughout the accommodation and extensive entertainment facilities. The British ex-liners with large cargo and/or emigrant spaces were unsuited for the work. During the period when the UK market was served by Canberra the number of UK cruise passengers continually declined. When she was replaced by Oriana the UK cruise market took off.
The conversion of Ocean Monarch that SSA asked Cammell Laird to undertake was not extensive enough and the work failed to produce a reliable ship. Sadly she was doomed. Her sister properly converted by the Greeks and Carnival is still sailing today.
Fred
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