SS Amerikanis

The "SS Amerikanis" was a cruise ship that began its existence in 1952 when it was launched as the "Kenya Castle" for the Union-Castle Line. The "Kenya Castle" had two sister ships: The "Rhodesia Castle" and the "Braemar Castle".

Cruising History

The "Kenya Castle" sailed the around Africa service for some years before being purchased by the Chandris shipping family (now Celebrity Cruises) in 1967. She was refitted and her passenger capacity was increased to approximately 920 (one class). She became somewhat famous for being the first passenger ship to have a television in every cabin.The "Amerikanis" sailed trans-Atlantic cruises for several years before moving to the Caribbean, Bermuda, New York routes. She was leased to Costa Cruises (ship was still owned by Chandris) from 1980-1984. After regaining the distinctive Chandris "X" on her funnel, she went on to serve for another 12 years.

crapped

In 1996 she was laid up in Greece which is where she sat while several potential suitors bandied about ideas for this once beautiful liner. Unfortunately, nothing materialized and in 2000 or 2001 she was sold for scrap. Sometime in 2001 the "Amerikanis" made her way to the Alang, India breakers.

pecifications

* Built By: Harland and Wolff, Belfast, Northern Ireland
* Length: 576 Feet
* Beam: 74 Feet 3 Inches
* Gross Tonnage: 17,041
* Service Speed: 17.5 Knots

External links

[http://www.rhmsamerikanis.co.uk/myweb/amerikanisintropage.htm Photographic Memories of Working on Chandris Lines] by a former employee, retrieved November 26, 2006