Published October 19, 2003. All images and text copyright Peter Knego 2003 (unless otherwise noted).

Page Three: From British EMPRESS to QUEEN Of The Greeks

A popular company-issued image of QUEEN ANNA MARIA. Note the rebuilt stern. Peter Knego collection.

In November of 1964, the EMPRESS OF BRITAIN ended her CPR service and sailed to Genoa's Marriotti Yard to be refitted for her new owners, Greek Line. Her stern area was enlarged to incorporate four outdoor pools and a lido that stretched all the way aft, and her capacity was increased by 200. Underneath the expanded lido, a large nightclub was built aft of the Cinema, wrapping around the stern in a fashion outwardly similar to the 1960 ORIANA's Stern Gallery.

The QUEEN ANNA MARIA's brass christening plate, engraved with the Greek Line crest. It was commissioned to celebrate the 15 March 1965 event, which was presided over by the ship's new namesake, the reigning queen of Greece. Peter Knego collection.

She was renamed QUEEN ANNA MARIA, after the second monarch to christen her, in March of 1965. QUEEN ANNA MARIA replaced the aging ARCADIA (ex MONARCH OF BERMUDA, NEW AUSTRALIA) and joined the popular OLYMPIA (see REGAL EMPRESS tour). Her new passenger capacity of 1,313 was divided accordingly for crossings: 109 first, 59 interchangeable, and 1145 tourist. On cruises, she carried 742 passengers in one class.

The newly-measured 21,716 GRT ship was used for the New York-to-Mediterranean service (Piraeus, Palermo, Naples, Lisbon, Halifax, New York, returnng via Boston, Lisbon, Naples, Palermo, Piraeus, Limassol, and Haifa) and off-season cruises, being fully diverted to cruises by the 1970's.

The ship's deck nomenclature was revised, with Boat Deck becoming Sun and Sports Deck. A Deck became Upper Deck, B Deck became Main Deck, C Deck became Restaurant Deck, and D Deck became A Deck.

Structural revisions included the replacement of the Sun Lounge bar on the port side with a Playroom, the addition of an open air bar aft of the funnel casing, the expansion of the tourist class sports deck into the Lido Beach Club with no less than four pools of varying sizes (whose footprints occupied no longer needed cargo holds), and a sunning terrace that extended to the rounded fantail.

 

On Promenade Deck, the first class Clubroom was renamed Athenian Club; the first class Playroom was eliminated; and the Empress Room was renamed Olympian Ballroom. In tourist class, the Smoking Room became Zacharatos; the Cocktail Bar became the Dolphin Bar, the Lounge became the Orpheus Room; and the Reading and Writing Room were joined aft on either side of the Cinema by a Church and a Photo Shop. Beyond that, extending all the way to the fantail, was the newly-added 500 seat Taverna nightclub.

On Restaurant Deck, more passenger dining space was added on the port side of the first class Restaurant to accommodate the ship's expanded capacity. Numerous cabins were refitted and most (except for 16 in tourist class) were given private facilities.

In many regards, QUEEN ANNA MARIA retained a good deal of the EMPRESS' sturdy, old world construction and ambiance, although there was certainly a more festive Greek spirit about her. She was the proud new flagship of Greek Line and one of the most popular liners of the 1960's. Here are some views culled from Greek Line brochures:

The sheltered first class open air deck space immediately aft of the Sun Lounge. Peter Knego collection.

A port-facing view of the stunning Winter Garden, still very British in style with its polished linoleum decking, rich woodwork, brass fixtures, and plush leather chairs. Peter Knego collection.

Immediately aft of the Winter Garden, the lively and elegant Athenian club is shown in a tobacco and martini-soaked port-facing view. Peter Knego collection.

Smoking, drinking, and flirting in the Olympian Ballroom. Peter Knego collection.

A more sober, forward facing, latter day view of the Olympian Ballroom. Peter Knego collection.

Facing aft through Zacharatos all the way into the Orpheus Room. Peter Knego collection.

The Cinema takes on an Eden-Roc pallette and early 1960's deco revival styling. Peter Knego collection.

The newly-added Taverna night club was a bit of a culture shock from the QAM's lustrous British-built stylings. Peter Knego collection.

Little had changed in the indoor pool space, save, perhaps the funnel markings on the mural of the ship sailing down the St. Lawrence. Peter Knego collection.

One of the largely unchanged original first class suites with separate sitting areas. Peter Knego collection.

Another gorgeously appointed, lustrous former first class cabin. Peter Knego collection.

A slightly less opulent, yet spacious and comfortable upper and lower berth cabin. Peter Knego collection.

One of the modern cabins from the Marriotti rebuilding in 1964. Peter Knego collection.

In 1975, Greek Line fell deeply into debt, and QUEEN ANNA MARIA abandoned her New York cruise program, fleeing to Greece for lay-up at Perama, where she was arrested.

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