Page four: The Evolution Of The OLYMPIA

A nice aerial view of OLYMPIA following her 1970 refit, showing her spacious lido. Peter Knego collection.

As the 1960s progressed, the era of the ocean liner came to an abrupt end. With hem lines going up, the Flower Power ideal in full bloom, and the Atlantic skies filled with shiny jet planes, the great passenger ships would either have to evolve into floating pleasure resorts or die. Fortunately, OLYMPIA was designed with warm weather voyages in mind, so she was well equipped for cruise service. Full air conditioning, plenty of outdoor deck space, and two passenger pools had already been serving her cruise passengers well when she moonlighted from the transatlantic run.

OLYMPIA's decks were given new names, as seen in this elevation from the mid-1960s. Peter Knego collection.

As a replacement for the aging ARKADIA (former MONARCH OF BERMUDA, NEW AUSTRALIA), Greek Line purchased the redundant EMPRESS OF BRITAIN from Canadian Pacific and refitted her as the QUEEN ANNA MARIA in 1965. The new QUEEN was not only larger than OLYMPIA at 26,300 gt, she took OLYMPIA's flagship status. By 1968, when OLYMPIA was finally registered in Greece, it was time for the ship's first major facelift and a conversion from part-time to full-time cruising. Even before the structural work began in 1970, OLYMPIA's deck names were reconfigured as follows: Boat Deck became Sun and Sports Deck; Sun, Promenade, and Upper Deck stayed the same; Main Deck became Restaurant Deck; A Deck became Main Deck; B Deck became A Deck; and C Deck became B Deck.

OLYMPIA's post 1970 Promenade Deck lido boasted two pools. Peter Knego collection.

When OLYMPIA emerged from her rebuilding, the most obvious external changes were the elimination of her main mast and the extension of her aft Promenade Deck lido area. Now all one class with accommodation for 1,030 passengers, she was an equal match for the QUEEN ANNA MARIA, with no less than three outdoor pools, private facilities in every cabin, and carpeting throughout.

The newly carpeted Aegean Club, shown facing starboard, enters the cruising era. Peter Knego collection.

Internally, OLYMPIA's decorative schemes found less linoleum decking, dark wood paneling, and 1950s "moderne" stylings. Instead, she took on a contemporary feel with shag carpeting, fireproof paneling in certain cabins and public rooms, and a new palette of avocado green, gold, rust, burnt orange, and turquoise. On Sun Deck, the Aegean Club's distinctively patterned linoleum decking and uniquely styled ceiling were no longer fashionable. Just aft of the Aegean Pool, Neverland became a Sauna and Massage Room and the Playpen Terrace became The Lido Bar.

OLYMPIA's deluxe outside (left) and double cabins with new color schemes and soft fittings. Peter Knego collection.

Upon becoming one class, some of her redundant public rooms disappeared in favor of accommodation. The former first class Mycenaean Room on forward Promenade Deck was converted into twelve spacious suites. The rest of the Promenade Deck cabins and suites (and for that matter, all of OLYMPIA's cabins) were modernized in varying degrees. Aft Promenade Deck became one of the most expansive lidos afloat with the addition of the Lido Pool beyond the slightly smaller, original Atlantic Pool.

The trendy 50's chic of the Zebra Room gave way to the more generic, but still attractive look of the Calypso Room. Peter Knego collection.

On Upper Deck, more changes were in store. Almack's was simply renamed the Card Room and the somewhat controversial Zebra Club was redecorated as the Calypso Room.

Many of OLYMPIA's most appealing classic features remained unaltered, including the above beautiful brass door handles (left). One of OLYMPIA's brand new cabins with fireproof paneling and bright fittings. Peter Knego collection.

The Upper Deck cabins were modernized and given private facilities. Where the former tourist class accommodation was stacked two deep, the cabins were converted into one. Where they were three deep, they were modified into two. This allowed for more space per cabin in addition to the new plumbing.

The Olympic Theater (left) and the Winter Garden (right) remained virtually unchanged. Peter Knego collection.

The Olympic Theater, Winter Garden, and Pavillion remained unaltered. On far aft Upper Deck, the housing was reconfigured to accommodate the Lido Pool basin. Wonderland was trimmed down and, while keeping its original purpose, was simply renamed Children's Playroom. The Stadium was converted from a redundant gym into a Teenager's Room.

The glorious Olympian Hall, facing forward from starboard. Peter Knego collection.

The Restaurant Deck cabins were improved and enlarged, requiring the conversion of the redundant Large First Class Dining Room to more cabins. The Olympian Hall remained thankfully unaltered, save for the addition of carpeting. Its warmth and beauty have survived intact to this day.

The Taverna, facing forward. Peter Knego collection.

The Bookworm, The Scribe, Derby Room, and Taverna all remained in place throughout OLYMPIA's career. The accommodation on Main, A, and B Decks was improved and upgraded, as well.

Were it not for the infamous oil crisis of the mid-1970s, OLYMPIA may have carried on for many more years. In early 1974, due to increasing fuel costs, OLYMPIA and QUEEN ANNA MARIA were abruptly laid up near Piraeus, with their cruise programs suspended. Within a year, Greek Line's assets were seized by the government and, while QUEEN ANNA MARIA was sold to Carnival Cruises for a new life as their CARNIVALE, OLYMPIA remained tucked away at Perama within a lineup of forgotten and neglected liners.

Although much of OLYMPIA was preserved underneath the new uptakes and paint scheme, the CARIBE I's profile came as a shock to those who knew the ship in her original configuration. Peter Knego collection.

In 1981, as "The Love Boat" television series and a new attitude about cruising created increasing demand, the Finland-based Sally Line purchased OLYMPIA for use as a floating hotel. When a drydock accident severely damaged the former NAVARINO (ex GRIPSHOLM), which they had intended to bring back into cruise service, Sally opted to fully convert OLYMPIA, instead.

Renamed CARIBE in 1982, she underwent a massive overhaul at Piraeus where her accommodation and public areas were spruced up and restyled for permanent Caribbean cruise service. Her forward bulwarks were cut down, her tripod mast replaced with a modern radio mast, and her kingposts and funnel removed.

In early 1983, with a slightly revised name of CARIBE I, she was towed to Hamburg where her turbines were replaced with Klockner-Humbolt-Deutz diesels (capable of 20,270 BHP for a service speed of 18 knots) and a new grilled funnel was installed aft of where the original streamlined funnel once sat. A new paint scheme gave OLYMPIA's graceful hull and superstructure a more modern look. Despite her increased size, she was registered at a smaller, more economical 14,533 gt. In the summer of 1983, CARIBE I joined Commodore's 1968-built BOHEME in Caribbean cruise service, sailing weekly from Miami. She quickly developed a loyal following, offering all the amenities expected from a US-based cruise ship, in addition to a gracious old world atmosphere that many of the newer vessels sorely lacked.

Continue here, CARIBE I to REGAL EMPRESS: page five

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