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MV SAPPHIRE at Tinos, 4 September 2008
MV SAPPHIRE (ex ITALIA, PRINCESS ITALIA, OCEAN PRINCESS, SEA PRINCE, PRINCESA OCEANICA)
Louis Cruise Lines
Louis Cruises' red sun and blue "L" logo on SAPPHIRE's funnel.
Built 1967
12,263 gt
489 by 67.9 feet (149.78 by 21.5 meters)
22.3 foot draft (10.5 meters)
706 passengers (maximum)
240 crew
16.5 knots (17 maximum)
Fully air conditioned and stabilized
Propulsion Machinery: Two nine cylinder Sulzer CRDA diesels (14,800 BHP), twin screws
Builders: Cantieri Navale Felszegi, Trieste (hull #76)
Registry: Majuro, Marshall Islands
Please click on image to open a larger version. All photos by and copyright Peter Knego 2008 unless otherwise noted.
ITALIA in her original livery with Oltremare's triangle funnel logo, under charter to Princess. Peter Knego collection.
Louis Cruise Line's SAPPHIRE was built as the 12,083 gross ton, 452 passenger ITALIA by the Trieste-based shipyard, Cantieri Navale Fesigli (hull number 76) for Crociere d’Oltremare as the first of two planned sister ships, the second of which was never realized. Upon completion that September, she was chartered by Costa Lines for three shakedown cruises to the Mediterranean. Costa then subchartered the ship to Stanley MadDonald's U.S.-based Princess Cruises for Mexican Riviera sailings from Los Angeles (during which she was marketed and promoted as PRINCESS ITALIA).
MV (PRINCESS) ITALIA with the famous Princess Cruises "sea witch" on her funnel. Peter Knego collection.
With American film icon Susan Hayward on board, ITALIA’s delivery voyage from Trieste to California via the Bahamas and Acapulco was noted for premiering the now camp classic film, “Valley Of The Dolls”, in the ship’s cinema. A 48 minute television feature, "Valley Of The Dolls: A World Premiere Voyage", was shot on board with Bill Burrud and Armey Archerd interviewing members of the film's cast.
ITALIA was the first newbuild dedicated to full time U.S. West Coast-based cruising, and, although referred to as PRINCESS ITALIA, she was officially registered as ITALIA. In 1969, after the introduction of her running mate, the (PRINCESS) CARLA (ex FLANDRE), the ITALIA became the second ship to have ever sported the Princess Cruises “sea witch” logo on her ultra-stylish funnel.
ITALIA was further distinguished as the last ship designed by Gustavo Pulitzer-Finale in collaboration with Romano Boico. Pulitzer was one of the three great Italian masters (along with Gio Ponti and Nino Zoncada) who fashioned some of the most exquisite liners and cruise ships of the 20th Century.
In appearance, the handsome vessel was very much a miniature version of Home Lines’ OCEANIC (general profile and angled, grilled windows) with elements of P&O’s CANBERRA (an exquisitely tapered funnel designed by Trieste-based sculptor Ugo Cara, inboard lifeboats and knuckled bow).
(PRINCESS) ITALIA's Lido Deck, facing forward from the base of the funnel on Sun Deck level. Peter Knego collection.
ITALIA had eight passenger decks, in descending order: Sun Deck (7), Lido Deck (6), Riviera Deck (5), Promenade Deck (4), Pacific Deck (3), Belvedere Deck (2), Capri Deck (1), and Cinema Deck.
Sun Deck housed the bridge, chart room and captain's quarters as well as a radio room on the port side. A sunning terrace was located aft of the deck house.
Lido Deck Verandah, facing port.
MV ITALIA pool area. Peter Knego collection.
Lido Deck began with a crescent-shaped observation area with narrow promenades leading via the mosaic-bedecked pool and Lido area at the base of the funnel to a terrace overlooking the stern. Internally, it housed officers' accommodation and the very stylish Veranda. In the port side base of the funnel, there was a small gymnasium.
Early image of ITALIA's Bar, facing aft. Peter Knego collection.
ITALIA's Grand Salon (facing forward), as built. Peter Knego collection.
Riviera Deck was originally devoted entirely to public rooms, but at some point in the ship's early Princess career, a suite of cabins was added in front of the Observation Lounge (the lounge, itself, was replaced with cabins during ITALIA's Costa career). Aft of the forward Riviera Deck vestibule, there was a small card room and boutique on the port side (altered in later years) and the very handsome Bar on the starboard side, leading to the chic but very brown Grand Salon, with its angled bulkheads, chairs and ceiling recesses.
Finite promenades sheltered by the angled, grated steel bulkheads led to a small terrace at the stern. Inside, just beyond the aft vestibule, there was the ship's Night Club, which sported a bar at the forward starboard entrance and oversized "porthole" windows.
Promenade Deck began at the fo'c'sle level with accommodation, the ship's large suites, and the delightful Dining Room with its moulded ceiling recess. The Dining Room was served by a galley, just aft, which was followed by crew accommodation at the stern. The entire deck was encircled by a narrow promenade, the mid portion of which passed under the recessed lifeboats.
Pacific Deck consisted of accommodation and the Main Lobby with purser's office and beauty salon. Belvedere and Capri Decks contained accommodation.
Cinema, facing forward. Peter Knego collection.
All the way down, the 174-seat Cinema was built atop ITALIA's midship tanks.
A Promenade Deck Deluxe Suite, as originally designed. Peter Knego collection.
The suites featured full bath with shower/tub and extremely spacious wardrobe areas. The sitting area contained a couch, chairs, and table ensemble. Located on Promenade Deck, they had two large picture windows but the views were obscurred by lifeboats.
A Deluxe Outside Twin. Peter Knego collection.
The next most luxurious ITALIA accommodations were the Deluxe Staterooms, which featured "wrinkle-proof" wardrobe closets.
Twin stateroom. Peter Knego collection.
A large Outside Triple. Peter Knego collection.
Outside staterooms ranged from singles to triples.
An Inside Double. Peter Knego collection.
ITALIA was built with 213 luxury cabins, all with radio, telephone, closed circuit television and individually-controlled air conditioning, features taken for granted today but considered quite forward-thinking at the time.
MV ITALIA in Costa colors. Peter Knego collection.
The ITALIA introduced Princess Cruises to Alaska in 1969, when her homeport was relocated to San Francisco. Her sub charter to Princess lasted until October of 1973, when she joined the Costa fleet for cruises out of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Popular Costa era image of the sculpted funnel with model passengers. Peter Knego collection.
Costa "spiced" the ship up with their yellow and blue funnel colors, brighter soft fittings, and some slight modifications, although she remained mostly "as built" throughout her ten year tenure with the Genoa-based company, which outright purchased her in 1977. ITALIA cruised the Caribbean from San Juan and Ft. Lauderdale, later venturing to South America and the Mediterranean.
Facing aft from top of house. Peter Knego collection.
Shuffleboard on the then teak covered decks of Costa's ITALIA. Peter Knego collection.
Typical Costa cheesecake image of the 1970s. Peter Knego collection.
Costa's advertising usually included bikini-clad women enjoying life on deck or by the pool.
Riviera Deck Card Room, facing forward. Peter Knego collection.
The shopping area on Riviera Deck was slightly reconfigured to include a card room, which at times was used as a chapel.
Costa era photo of ITALIA's Bar, facing aft. Peter Knego collection.
Costa added these ladies to its featured brochure image of the stylish Bar.
ITALIA's Grand Salon in the Costa Cruises era. Peter Knego collection.
The Grand Salon was refitted with smaller furniture to accommodate more passengers for Costa's lively shows.
ITALIA's dining room "decked out" for one of Costa's gala evenings. Peter Knego collection.
If the brochure illustrations are any indication, ITALIA was definitely more of a "party" ship in her Costa heyday than she was with Princess.
Deluxe stateroom. Peter Knego collection.
Note the "brightened" soft fittings, typical of the stylish Costa decor found on ships such as EUGENIO C, CARLA C, and FEDERICO C.
A cut-away view of ITALIA in Costa colors.
In 1983, a lengthening was considered but apparently dropped, according to Italian historians, Maurizio Eliseo and Paolo Piccione, whose detailed and beautifully written "The Costa Liners" (Carmania Press) was a tremendous reference in compiling this webpage.
MV OCEAN PRINCESS. Peter Knego collection.
Surprisingly, since she was one of the most modern and popular members of the Costa fleet, ITALIA was sold to Ocean Cruise Lines in 1983. She became OCEAN PRINCESS after a Piraeus-based refit by Greek design firm, AMK, which introduced highly polished brass and brushed steel surfaces, harsh lighting and tapestries on bulkheads and in stairtowers.
MV OCEAN PRINCESS with yellow funnel. Peter Knego collection.
Metal and glass windscreens were added to the midships Sun and Lido Decks, altering the ship's external appearance. Internally, the overall layout of public rooms was tweaked but remained generally intact, albeit with a completely new look that for the most part remains unaltered today.
On Lido Deck, ten cabins replaced the officers' accommodation and the Verandah was replaced with the larger Cafe de Paris.
On Riviera Deck, the forward vestibule became the Rendezvous Square. The Bar on the starboard side was reconfigured completely and renamed Harry's Bar, while the Card Room and Chapel on the port side were replaced with the Monte Carlo Casino. The Grand Salon became the Marco Polo Lounge and the Night Club became Raffles Piano Bar and Discotheque.
The Dining Room was renamed the Four Seasons Restaurant and most cabins were reconfigured with new layouts, furniture and soft fittings.
OCEAN PRINCESS in latter day white funnel livery. Peter Knego collection.
With an expanded capacity of 500 passengers, OCEAN PRINCESS was a highly regarded pioneer of destination-oriented "adventure” cruises to off-the-beaten-track places worldwide. In 1990, Ocean Cruise Lines was purchased by Paquet Cruises. Shortly thereafter, her funnel livery switched from yellow and blue to white and blue.
MV SEA PRINCE at Keratsini, Greece, 3 October 1994.
On 1 March 1993, during one of her cruises up the Amazon, OCEAN PRINCESS hit a submerged object at Belem, breaching her hull, and gradually sinking up to what is now her Pacific (3) Deck. She was raised three weeks later but a survey determined the ship a total constructive loss. Sold to Ellis Marine of Piraeus, she was renamed SEA PRINCE and towed to Greece for repairs. SEA PRINCE was to begin Greek-based cruises in 1995 for newly-formed Sunshine Cruise Line but a fire on 26 May that year put an end to that. In September 2005, she was sold to Louis Cruise Lines of Cyprus, who renamed her PRINCESA OCEANICA.
SAPPHIRE with extended forward superstructure, prior to addition of tender platform. Peter Knego collection.
Louis gave the ship a major refurbishment and, favoring its new "jewel"-inspired nomenclature, renamed her SAPPHIRE. She was chartered to British-based Thomson Holidays in 1995, but mechanical issues quickly intervened. The vessel was repaired at Perama, during which time the forward superstructure was extended with modular cabins (it was further extended with a platform to accommodate two tenders). SAPPHIRE began cruising for Thomson in 1996 and in more recent years, had been chartered to French based Croisieurs Francaises, before joining the Louis fleet. With an increased capacity of 680 (706 maximum), she is currently based at Limassol and caters to an almost exclusively Cyprus-based clientele on cruises to Egypt, Israel, Syria, Lebanon and the Greek Islands.
A popular Louis Cruise Lines' image of MV SAPPHIRE prior to the addition of the grillwork.
In 2007, an unusual framework of steel and canvas was added to shelter SAPPHIRE's Lido Deck and Cafe de Paris from high winds.
Here is a top to bottom look at the ship as she appears today (September 2008):
SAPPHIRE departs Limassol, 29 August 2008.
Top Of House (8)
Over bow from top of house.
Facing aft from Deck 8.
The top of the house (Deck 8) is basically a mast platform and is off limits to passengers.
Sun Deck (7)
Aft from starboard bridge wing.
Wheelhouse, facing starboard.
Chart Room, facing port.
Sun Deck (7) begins with the bridge wings and contains the wheelhouse (which has a combination of original and modern equipment), chart room and radio room.
Sun Deck (7), facing forward.
A large sunning terrace is situated aft of the deck house, overlooking the midships Lido.
Facing forward over Lido and pool area from base of funnel (Sun Deck level).
Lido Deck (6)
Forward Lido Deck (6), facing starboard.
Starboard Lido Deck, facing forward.
Lido Deck (6) begins with a small observation platform that continues via narrow passageways to the Cafe de Paris and pool area. Stairs from here also lead down to an observation deck on forward Riviera Deck (5).
Forward Lido Deck stairs, facing forward/down.
Internally, Lido Deck begins with ten Category G Superior Outside cabins added in the OCEAN PRINCESS conversion, followed by a vestibule providing access to the outer deck and the Cafe de Paris, just aft.
Cafe de Paris, facing forward/starboard.
Exterior portion of Cafe de Paris, facing port.
Cafe de Paris, outdoor portion, facing forward.
The interior/forward portion of Cafe de Paris seats 75 and the outer portion accommodates 277. With meals served buffet style on the outer terrace, Cafe de Paris is generally used as a second dining venue in addition to the Four Seasons Restaurant. It is also the ship's nightclub, offering live entertainment and programmed music and features both inside and outside bar areas.
Lido Deck, facing aft from starboard.
Pool, facing aft.
The midships Lido area provides extra seating for the Cafe de Paris and the SAPPHIRE's pool.
Beauty Salon, facing aft.
Spa treatment room, facing starboard.
Deck 6 Playroom, facing port.
In the funnel casing, the Salon and Spa replaced the gym on the port side. There is a small playroom on the aft/starboard side. Internal stairs provide access to Riviera Deck (6).
Aft Lido Deck (6), facing forward.
Over stern from aft Lido Deck.
Aft Lido Deck (6) features a large sunning terrace overlooking the stern.
Riviera Deck (5)
Forward Riviera Deck (5), facing port.
Facing aft from forward Deck 5 platform.
An observation area atop the modular cabin additions on forward Riviera Deck (5) is accessed via forward Lido Deck (6). It is "open" at sea but usually the forward portion is chained off during port maneuvers to allow the ship's gangway to be hoisted on or off the fo'c'sle.
Rendezvous Square, facing forward.
The forward Riviera Deck (5) accommodation block includes two Category K Deluxe Outside Cabins, ten Category I Premiere Outside Cabins, two Category H Premier Outside Cabins, four Category G Superior Outside Cabins, six Category F Standard Outside Cabins, sixteen Category D Premiere Inside Cabins and two Category J Standard Inside Single Cabins. The Rendezvous Square follows, which in tandem with adjoining Harry's Bar, seats 53. A Duty Free Shop is now on the port side, occupying what has over the years been a Card Room, Shop, and Casino space.
Harry's Bar, facing forward.
ITALIA's inboard Bar was replaced with the outboard Harry's Bar during the OCEAN PRINCESS refit. It is a wonderful nook with a view of the sea and the perfect ante spot before attending a show in the Marco Polo Lounge.
Starboard portion of Marco Polo Lounge, facing aft.
Marco Polo Lounge, facing forward.
One of several tapestries remaining from the OCEAN PRINCESS era.
Sandwiched between the ship's wonderfully canted outer bulkheads with grilled steel-framed windows, the Marco Polo Lounge show room seats 343 passengers. It retains its angular ceiling recesses from the original ITALIA design as well as the basic layout, with the exception of the bar in its aft/port section. The decor dates from the OCEAN PRINCESS era with AMK's metallic lighting fixtures and tapestries.
Raffles, facing aft.
Raffles accommodates 112 and, while it has a small portion which can be used as a piano bar or disco, it is largely used now as the ship's Casino. The bar on the forward/starboard side is original, as are the stylish oversized brass porthole windows.
Card Room, facing aft.
On the port side of Raffles, there is a small Card Room and Internet Center.
Winter Garden, facing forward.
Accessed via the aft vestibule on the port side, the Winter Garden is one of SAPPHIRE's most dynamically MidCentury Modern spaces. The angled outboard windows (reminiscent of Home Line's OCEANIC's promenades) contrast quite exquisitely with the large porthole windows facing Raffles.
Pulitzer portal: an original door on aft Deck 5, between the vestibule and the gym.
Gym, facing forward.
On the starboard side in the space complementing the Winter Garden, is the ship's gym. It contains cardio equipment and two weight machines (September 2008). Lido Deck (5) continues with a small terrace overlooking the stern.
Promenade Deck (4)
Aft from Promenade Deck (4) fo'c'sle.
Port Deck (4) promenade, facing aft.
Promenade Deck (4) begins at the fo'c'sle head and continues aft via very narrow promenades under the lifeboats to a small crew-only terrace at the fantail. Internally, it contains thirteen Category K Deluxe Outside Cabins, two Category I Premier Outside Cabins, four Category H Premier Outside Cabins, ten Category G Superior Outside Cabins, six Category D Premier Inside Cabins and four Category C Superior Inside Cabins.
Four Seasons Restaurant, facing aft.
Totally random carpet shot (Four Seasons Restaurant).
With its deck and a half height, the 324 seat Four Seasons Restaurant is arguably, the most dynamic space on board SAPPHIRE. The shape of the room and the moulded ceiling recess are reminiscent of the dining room on Home Lines' OCEANIC but the stained glass skylight, Art Deco style polished brass and etched glass are from the ship's OCEAN PRINCESS incarnation. Most meals on SAPPHIRE are served buffet style.
Deck 4 fantail, facing starboard/aft.
Pacific Deck (3)
Main Lobby, facing forward.
Pacific Deck (3) is largely devoted to accommodation, including thirty nine Category H Premier Outside Cabins, seven Category F Standard Outside Cabins, six Category E Standard Outside Cabins, seventeen Category D Premier Inside Cabins and six Category C Superior Inside Cabins.
The Main Lobby is midships and contians the Cruise/Shore Excursions Office, Information Desk, and Hotel Manager's Office.
Belvedere Deck (2)
Thirty two Category F Standard Outside Cabins, eight Category E Standard Outside Cabins, four Category J standard Inside Cabins and twenty Category C Superior Inside Cabins comprise the accommodation on Belvedere (2) Deck.
Capri Deck (1)
Five Category J Standard Inside Cabins, thirty seven Category B Standard Inside Cabins and seventeen Category A Standard Inside Cabins are located on Capri (1) Deck.
Cinema Deck
Cinema, facing forward.
The layout and framework of the 174 seat Cinema is largely as it was in 1967, when it premiered "Valley Of The Dolls".
Sapphire Accommodation
There are eleven cabin categories on SAPPHIRE, ranging from Category A Standard Insides to Category K Deluxe Outsides. All cabins have private facilities, shower, individually controlled air conditioning, telephones, radio, and television. A sampling of some of the cabins can be seen below. Primarily, the layout and decor dates from the ship's OCEAN PRINCESS conversion, although some vintage elements such as the circular vanity mirrors remain from the ITALIA incarnation. Some chairs from PRINCESA VICTORIA (also designed by Pulitzer) were transferred over when that ship was sold for scrapping and can be found in various cabins on board SAPPHIRE.
Category K Deluxe Outside Cabin 436, facing starboard.
Cabin 436 totally random carpet shot.
Category I Premier Outside Cabin 534, facing starboard.
Category I Premier Outside Cabin 406, facing starboard.
Category G Superior Outside Cabin 431, facing port.
Category G Superior Outside Cabin 429, facing port.
Category E Standard Outside Cabin 366, facing starboard.
Category D Premier Inside Cabin 403, facing aft.
Category C Superior Inside Cabin 420, facing aft.
A view over the CRDA Sulzers, facing forward.
The SAPPHIRE is still capable of 15 to 16 knot speeds and runs on her original CRDA Sulzer diesels.
MV SAPPHIRE at Limassol, 29 August 2008.
Special thanks to: Captain Andreas, Martin Cox, Iliana Marangou, Maurizio Eliseo, Captain Kavalierakis Dikaos Fokas, Chief Engineer Klironomos Ioannis, Christopher Kyte, Katya Makaveeva, Paolo Piccione
References: Costa Line materials, "The Costa Liners" by Maurizio Eliseo and Paolo Piccione, "Great Passenger Ships Of The World Today" by Arnold Kludas, Louis Cruise Lines materials, Ocean Cruise Line materials, Princess Cruises materials,
Posted: 11 September 2008
