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With Reuben Goossens

Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer, Author & Lecturer

Please Note: All ssmaritime and my other related ssmaritime sites are 100% non-commercial and privately owned sites. Be assured that I am NOT associated with any cruise or shipping companies or travel/cruise agencies or any other organisations! The author has been in the passenger shipping industry since May 1960 and is now semi-retired, but continues to write article on classic liners and cruise ships in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts for their pleasure!

Turkish Maritime Lines

(Denizcilik Bankasi Turk Anonim Ortakligi)

MS Akdeniz

And her sister ship the MS Karadeniz

The then cruise ship MV Akdeniz is seen here in Tenerife in 1990 and she is still afloat at Istanbul!

Let us keep her looking this beautiful for history to remember what real ships were like!

Photographer unknown – *See Photo notes at bottom of the page

These two fine looking ships were part of the Turkish rebuilding plan at the time and two of a total of five ships being built all at the same time by the A.G. Weser Shipyards in Bremen/Bremerhaven.

The Akdeniz and Karadeniz were the larger ships of the five at 8,809 GRT, whereas the three Izmir class ships were only 6,041 GRT. However, these three were almost identical with minor differences; but one of the big differences was to be found mechanically in addition the Izmir class ships only had single screws and sailed at a service speed of just 14 knots.

MS Izmir the 1stiof three smaller sister ships

Author’s private collection

The Akdeniz and Karadeniz both had a pair of M.A.N. diesel engines sailing at a respectable service speed of 18? knots. Akdeniz was the first to be delivered in December 1955 and commenced services. She was soon followed by her sister Karadeniz in 1956.

MS Akdeniz seen sometimes in 1955

A. Duncan photo from the author’s private collection

Directly below the Bridge located forward on three levels are the main First Class Lounges all of which were superbly furnished as were all her First Class accommodations. On Promenade Deck forward is the Ballroom with the Deck Bar located far aft. Between the two public rooms there are four twin deluxe suites, all having a private sitting room. On A Deck forward was the First Class Main Lounge followed by cabins. First Class accommodations were mostly two berth cabins in two grades, A and B grades and were located on the corresponding decks (A&B), the vast majority having private facilities.

MS Karadeniz seen in 1956

A. Duncan photo from the author’s private collection

Tourist Class had a Lounge in the “poop” structure far aft. The Tourist Class Dining Room was located port side on C Deck. Four grades of accommodation were available from two and four berth to multiple spaces. When built these ships had three classes, but were changed into amore suitable two-class configuration. When built both ships were only partially air-conditioned with forced air to other parts of the ship.

The four ships holds were serviced by eight 3-ton electric cranes and four derricks. Both ships had space to transport 40 cars out on deck.

A fine full colour postcard of the MS Akdeniz seen as built

Author’s private collection

Specifications:

Built by: A.G. Weser Shipyards, Bremen Germany.

IMO: 5006815.

Call Sign: TCXJ.

Tonnage: 8,809 GRT, 2,477 DWT.

Length: 144m – 474ft.

Width: 18.7m - 61ft.

Draught: 9m - 20ft 3”.

Engines: 2 M.A.N. diesels, 3620 BHP each.

Screws: Twin.

Speed 18.5 knots.

Passengers: 8 deluxe, 74 First Class.

370 Tourist.

1980 - 561 One class.

1990 - 314 One class.

Crew: 158.

Both ships operated on North and South Mediterranean services, but from 1960 the Akdeniz first served on the Istanbul- Izmir and Black Sea Express service. After 1960, she commenced on a 25-day Istanbul to Barcelona service sailing via Piraeus, Naples, Genoa and Marseilles, with occasional Calls to Beirut and Alexandria (until the Lebanese civil war).

1966 Fare and sailing schedule

From the collection of Bj?rn Larsson

www.timetableimages.com/maritime/index.htm

MV Akdeniz is seen here in Istanbul

Photograph by & ? Hans Jurgen Aambergh

An official Turkish Maritimes lines Postcard of the MS Akdeniz

Author’s private collection

1967 sailing schedule

From the collection of Bj?rn Larsson

www.timetableimages.com/maritime/index.htm

In 1980s both the Akdeniz and her sister Karadeniz became one class ships accommodating up to 561 passengers and began operating cruises out of Istanbul, which proved to be an exceedingly successful move by the company.

MV Karadeniz was broken up in 1987. Page Four has further details.

From 1988 to 1989, Akdeniz had a change of livery, a dark blue hull, red boot topping and white masts. Also her far forward and aft electric cranes and derricks over the cargo holds were removed as the ship no longer carried general cargo.

Looking rather attractive the refitted MV Akdeniz is seen with her dark blue hull

There are conflicting reports about the dates of the hull colour

Photograph by & ? Ali Bozoglu – wowTURKEY.com

As Akdeniz had become a much loved ship by the cruising public, she continued to be extremely successful, thus Turkish Maritime Lines decided that it was time give her an extensive upgrade!

The refit would take place in 1989, which saw her passenger capacity lowered to just 314 with all cabins being upgraded and given private facilities. In addition she was finally fully air-conditioned. There were further upgrades,www.copyluxurywatch.comt including the all-important ones on the Bridge, which received the very latest navigational and international safety equipment, etc. Upon completion she had been repainted all white once again, but retained her red boot topping. Her lifeboats were also still white, but later they would become red, as they are to this day. She was completed in 1990 and she recommenced her cruise duties and became acclaimed for her, elegance, comfort and style!

With her hull white again, Akdeniz is looking pristine.

Photographer unknown – *See Photo notes at bottom of the page

MV Akdeniz is seen here cruising in the Scandinavian Fjords in 1992, now with her lifeboats painted red

Photograph by & ? Hans Jurgen Aambergh

As with many of the Mediterranean ships, during the winter months the Akdeniz was laid up at the Turkish port of Bosphorus.

Photo Album:

The photographs below show her during one of these winter lay up’s and these were taken by Hurol Hekimbasi. I am grateful to Hurol for the use of these fine images!

Her proud bow

Obviously fishing around the ship is a popular event!

A fine stern close-up