SS Amerikanis
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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.
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Scrapped
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.
[edit] Specifications
- 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
[edit] External links
Photographic Memories of Working on Chandris Lines by a former employee, retrieved November 26, 2006