The MV REGINA MARIS is shown during an uncertain period in her long career, laid up at Eleusis awaiting sale as Epirotiki's ARGONAUT on 14 October, 1992. Photo by and copyright Peter Knego.
MV REGINA MARIS
Originally the schooner-rigged private yacht ORION, Regina Maris Cruise’s 3,015 gross ton MV REGINA MARIS was built in1929. In 1942, she was requisitioned by the US Navy and renamed VIXEN, serving as the flagship of the C in C, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. She was transformed into a cruise ship in 1947 for Pacific Cruise Lines, who renamed her ORION in 1950. After a stint with McCormick Shipping Corporation between 1954 and 1963, she was traded to Epirotiki Lines. The 333 by 46 foot ship was completely rebuilt and modernized, emerging as their deluxe ARGONAUT in 1965. She spent a good portion of her nearly 30 year tenure with this company under charter to the Raymond-Whitcomb Corporation, and was sold to her present owners in 1996, undertaking a Red Sea-based cruise program as the REGINA MARIS. She carries 231 passengers and is powered by Krupps diesels capable of 3,600 bhp for a service speed of 15 knots. Vintage Passenger Ship Roundup index