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
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.
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
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
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