Comment concerning the voyage so far, made aboard Achille Lauro from Southampton to Wellington in 1971. Later communications indicated that matters did not improve. The voyage made via Cape Town due to closure of the Suez Canal was plagued with bad weather, heavy seas, non-functioning stabilisers

Front and back covers of a berthing plan dated August 1969

Lauro Lines Achille Lauro under tow as she departs from Naples during her voyage from Southampton to Wellington in March 1971 Can anyone name the tug?

Lauro Lines Achille Lauro alongside at Naples with passengers admiring the view of Vesuvius

Lauro Lines Achille Lauro calls in at Naples during her voyage from Southampton to Wellington in March 1971

Lauro Lines On a voyage from Southampton to Wellington in March 1971 the Achille Lauro passes Gibraltar

This Italian cruise ship was a confident and successful rebuild of Rotterdam Lloyd's Willem Ruys. Seen at Tilbury Landing Stage in 1987 she diplays the Italian flair for unique style. Her trading did not always match that flair and she was certainly not a lucky ship.

Lauro Lines On a call at a Pacific island

The sad sight of the lovely Achille Lauro burning in November 1994

Lauro Lines Water colour of the Italian liner by the late Phil Hayden in my collection My wife sailed to New Zealand on her in 1971

Lauro Lines At Yokohama on 18th February 1978

Inbound

The Italian Liner Achille Lauro was photographed from the stern at Wellington, NZ on the 3rd of February, 1991. It would be this famous cruise ships last appearance in the port.

Achille Lauro deckplans from 1989 Star Lauro brochure Full size here... http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/177859_4139055243755_515433354_o.jpg

Scan from 1989 Star Lauro brochure

In 1971 my future wife Pat sailed from Southampton to Wellington aboard Achille Lauro. They had heavy seas for much of the voyage to the Cape and on across the Southern Ocean to Freemantle. Here the ship is seen on another voyage in 1978 at Yokohama

Off Port Suez, August 1966.

An evening departure from Singapore, August 1966.

An evening departure from Singapore, August 1966.

Achille Lauro 1947 21119t builder Royal Schelde/Flushing 1947 Willem Ruhys 1965 Achille Lauro fire 8.oon/52.20e 30/11/94 sank in tow 7.14n 51.50e 2/12/94