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A Vintage Liner Sails into the 21st Century
MV Doulos
Chapter Four
--M/S
Part One
“The
Cruise Ship”
M/S Franca C starts a new career as a cruise ship
From the author’s private collection
In 1959, Linea
C withdrew her from the Atlantic trade and decided to once again rebuild and
refit her, but this time they intended for her to become the world’s
first ever year-round cruise ship. She was taken to the OARN Shipyards at
Pre release cruise promo image of the M/S Franca C the cruise ship
From
the author’s private collection
Most of the cabins would
be twin bedded and would have a private bathroom with the majority having a
bath, and the balance a shower. Passenger numbers were reduced to a maximum of
552 berths. Cabins were located on Lounge, Promenade, Upper, A and B decks.
Both Lounge and Promenade Decks contained the superior accommodations. There
were three two-berth cabins, and no inside cabins. All cabins were located aft
of the Lounges or the Dining Room on Promenade Deck. Main Deck cabins were the
same in size and style as those on the two upper decks, twin bedded rooms with
a bath. However, there were many more two-berth and indoor cabins and rooms
with a shower. Like on Lounge Deck, only on Main Deck could you walk (inside
the ship) forward or aft of the ship. Cabins on A and B decks were located in
sections and these were reached via the clearly marked, allocated stairwells.
Décor and furnishings
were entrusted to Nino Zoncada who created a
delightfully light but elegant ambience throughout the ship. The Restaurant and
galleys were greatly enlarged and modernised and made ready for the one class
role. The Ballroom was decorated with sculptures by Marcello Mascherini, and the room had tones of grey, violet and sky
blue. Whilst in the Restaurant the main colours were royal blue, sky blue, with
sky blue, grey and ochre in the cabins complemented with yellow velvet chairs.
Located aft on
The yacht like Franca C
refit was completed in July 1959 and now listed as 6,822
Having
already thought for some time about basing themselves in
From
the author’s private collection
Thus, after debuting in
the Mediterranean, on
This proved to be a
brilliant move! Costa Cruises became the first company to offer winter cruises,
basing itself in
And here
is another first. In 1968 the Franca C was the very first ship to ever offer a
brand new package called the “Fly/Cruise” package for the
A colourful 1963-64 Brochure
From
the author’s private collection
From
the author’s private collection
Seasonally, Franca C
would cross the Atlantic and base herself in
In 1963
Franca C made a rare call to
Franca
Please Note: All
images of the Franca C on Album One & Two have been sourced from Franca C
brochures some of which were (originally) provided by Sven Benseler onboard the
Doulos. However, the author has since obtained his own copies, as well as
others as seen on this page and the new
“Franca C brochures” Page. Thus
A general
colour Franca C brochure with cabin plan from November 1963 – Note the
narrow stove pipe atop the funnel
The San Remo Lounge/Ballroom was designed by Nino Zoncanda
The wall sculptures were made by famed artist Marcello Mascherini
The Portofino Lounge and Bar was located just aft the San Remo
Lounge
This spacious room stretched from starboard to port. The Bar was on
the starboard side
The Card and Games Room
With the Writing Room located on the Port side
Gift and
Duty Free Shop
Taken from
the 1959 brochure
The Rapallo Restaurant
This mural was eventually removed and we have no record what happened
to it after 1970
Deck games – Horse racing a popular game!
The pool – Note the funnel had a narrow stove exhaust pipe,
which would change to a new one in 1970.
A typical twin bedded cabin with a porthole
A fine night photograph of the Franca C
***************************************************
Part Two
Franca
The new 1970 Franca C ready to cruise on – Note the new
funnel configuration
Franca C continued
cruising until Costa decided to retain her in European waters in 1970. With the
Franca C, already a good 56 years old, the company were thinking of letting the
old girl go and sell her to be scrapped. Instead, they decided that she would
operate a few luxury cruises during the summer of 1970, from
The point
was, Franca C had become so popular, Costa decided to upgrade her even further,
thus her interiors received new carpets throughout, including a host of other
improvements. Cabins and public rooms were again refurbished for her new role
as a luxury all first class cruise ship and cabins on the lower B deck were no
longer in use. Additional features were the installation of a cinema booth in
the main lounge and a small casino. Her bright new contemporary interiors
featured modern art works and a host of fine Italian murals. Again, Franca C
was also one of the few ships in the world to have private facilities in every
cabin. She was simply a fine, boutique-style, fully air-conditioned cruise ship
accommodating a small number of passengers in the ultimate of luxury and style
of the day! Passengers would come from afar just to sail on this gracious old
lady. Her style, service and cuisine had become renowned.
Franca
The refurbished Rapallo Restaurant with new carpets and fine
ceramics
The above circle ceramic mural feature is currently located on the
entrance wall of the stairwell on MV Doulos
The large blue ceramic mural on the back wall was moved and is
currently in storage, we believe in
In 2008, MV Doulos still uses the 1970 Franca C carpets in the
Dinning Room
A Buffet feast
During the refurbishment the Portofino Bar had been moved further
aft and to the external wall of the ship on the starboard side.
Above and
below: All cabins were upgraded, including adding new chairs
The spacious Lido Deck seen aft of the pool
A delightful stern view of the cruise ship Franca C during her latter cruising days
Photographer
unknown
On
A photograph of the Lido/Sun Deck taken during her final cruise
Provided
by Sven Benseler & used with permission
Provided
by Sven Benseler & used with permission
When Franca C was sold, the sculpture from the San Remo Lounge had been relocated to another
Costa
Author’s
private collection
Taken
from a slide – provided by Stephen Moore
Also - Cabin Plan One - 1959 – 1970
Or, return to the MV Doulos
Main Index
Next
Chapter 5 - A New Role for a Grand Old Lady of the Sea - MV Doulos - 1979
PLEASE
NOTE
MV Doulos
has been decommissioned in December 2009
Read the …
“MV Doulos
***************************************************
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Reuben Goossens commenced in Passenger Shipping
industry in May 1960
Email the author – at
PLEASE NOTE: I receive hundreds of
requests for Passenger/Crew Lists and Sailing Schedules. I hereby wish
to advise that I am unable to assist
due to time restrains and as most shipping companies have long gone these
lists/schedules are no longer available. I regret to advise that any request
for these will no longer be answered regardless of the circumstances presented!
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