Grace Lines - SS Santa Rosa of 1958 - In 1991 rebuit to be come Regent Rainbow,
sold in 1995 renamed SS Emerald, broken up in 2012
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With
Reuben Goossens
Maritime Historian, Cruise‘n’Ship Reviewer & Author
Commenced in
the Passenger Shipping Industry in 1960
The magnificent
Emerald has been sadly broken up, such a suburb ship, but we will long remember
Her!
This is a special photo page of this
remarkable classic cruise ship that was built as the famed American liner SS
Santa Rosa that had been launched on August 28, 1957, completed and departed on
her maiden voyage on June 12, 1958. She and her slightly newer sister Santa Paula were built as luxury passenger-cargo ships and
were all first class liners, operating between New York
and Central America as well as operating Caribbean
cruises.
Luxurious
Grace Lines, SS Santa Rosa is seen here as built, arriving back in New York in June 1958
from her maiden voyage
In 1990/91 this great ship been sold and had
was completely rebuilt in Greece
into an impressive looking cruise ship that saw her external appearance
dramatically change from a traditional looking liner into a very modern cruise
ship. She was renamed Regent Rainbow and was placed under the management
of Regency Cruises, 1995 Regency was declared bankrupt and she was sold to
Louis Cruises and renamed The Emerald. Under both names
she had become the darling of countless cruise lovers, especially by the
British public and she sailed successfully for many years!
The Emerald is seen here at Mallorca
in 1998, whilst under charter to Thompson Cruises
Photograph by & ? Hans-J?rgen-Amberg
However, with SOLAS 2010 on the horizon it may
well be possible that her end is near and in 2010 she was laid by Louis Cruises
at Eleusis Bay
in Greece.
As the president of the “Save The Classic Liners Campaign” it was
my hope that she would be obtained and turned into a superb boutique hotel or
some other positive possibility for she is a superb condition throughout, but
obviously that did NOT eventuate!
However, in memory of what was one a great American
liner, I will present on this page photographs of the Emerald, being the Grace
Lines SS Santa Rosa in 1958. Enjoy!
The
Emerald Photo Album
The
sleek looking Emerald seen whilst under charter to British Thompson Cruises
Interiors
The
Main Lobby and Reception
Another
view of the Reception Desk
Above
and below: The Regency Show lounge
--------
Monte
Carlo Casino Lounge & Bar is one of the largest
afloat
The
elegant Chanterelle Restaurant on Promenade Deck
Le
Bistro Buffet up on Deck 7
Le
Bistro Buffet is located Upper Deck (7), whilst the massive Starlight Lounge is
located on deck 8 and may be reached via the stairs
Here
is a better view of the fine stairwell and the grand lighting
system that adorns the ceiling
The Emerald is seen here at Corfu
in 2008 – Aft of her is the Costa Classica
Photograph by & ? Hans-J?rgen-Amberg
Accommodations
Outside
twin with two windows
Twin
bedded room with portholes
Twin
bedded room with windows
Outside
double with portholes
An
inside double bedded cabin
The
cheapest inside twin bedded cabin
Deck Plan
Below you will find the full deck plan of the
“Emerald” revealing all the main features on each deck.
Deck 8 – Bridge Deck … The Sky Room, Discotheque,
Starlight lounge, and whirlpools.
Deck 7 - Upper Deck … Le Bistro for a delicious
buffet, Lido pool bar and swimming pool. Also
Cabins.
Deck 6 - Boat Deck … Cabin deck.
Deck 5 - Promenade Deck … Yacht Club lounge-bar, Royal Casino lounge, Monte
Carlo Court/Lounge, Chanterelle Restaurant, Regency Showroom, boutiques,
library.
-
Allegro
Deck 4 – Allegro Deck
… Main Lobby and Reception – Cabin deck.
IWC Aquatimer Replica Omega Seamaster Replica Patek Philippe Replica Omega replica watches Replica Rolex Datejust
Deck 3 – Bolero Deck … Beauty Salon - Cabin Deck.
Deck 2 – Concerto Deck … Cabin deck.
Deck 1 – Dolorado Deck … Cabin deck, and …
Deck 0 - Exercise Deck … Fitness centre, Massage room, Sauna, Children's
Club and Medical Centre.
The
Emerald is seen here still in her Thompson Cruises livery when
operating for the British market, where she was a huge success!
Her bow is simply stunning – She is seen at Piraeus in 2009
Photograph by & ? Hans-J?rgen-Amberg
Lido
Deck and the ships Pool on Deck 7
Lido
Bar pool
The
Emerald seen in port in 2009 and seen under her owner’s livery - Louis
Cruise Lines
The
Emerald is seen at lay up in Eleusis
Bay, but as can be seen,
whilst she remained there she was perfectly maintained!
This delightfully modern cruise ship
that was originally a famous luxury classic liner, the SS Santa Rosa, the
Emerald remained in service until 2010, but then she was laid up and placed on
the market. She would have been the perfect ship to be converted into a
floating hotel or for an enterprising company, even an updated cruise ship as
she was still SOLAS compliant. But
sadly there was no one to take up the opportunity to make further use of her,
and thus she was sold in August 2012 to be broken up at Alang India!
Having arrived she was beached and breaking up commenced late in 2012.
We will remember this wonderful ex Grace Liner, which has
given us a remarkable 55 years of joy and great service!
For many, this wonderful painting will invoke so
many wonderful memories of what
was indeed a great ship be it the SS Santa Rosa or for that matter the SS Emerald!
Grace Line INDEX:
Page One …???????? SS Santa Paula & Santa Rosa –
History Page
Page Two …???????? The Marcia Kennedy Story – An
interesting story from a Santa Paula
1969 hostess
Page Three …?????? The Emerald - ex Santa Rosa rebuilt as a
luxury cruise ship – see her
interiors!
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Photographs on ssmaritime and associate pages are by the author or from the author’s private collection. In addition there are some images that have been provided by Shipping
Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all
contributors. However, there are some photographs provided to me without
details regarding the photographer/owner concerned. I hereby invite if owners
of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me (my email
address may be found on www.ssmaritime.com only), in order that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I
have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet these
individuals either refuse to provide credit or remove them when asked, knowing
full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However,
let us show these charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give
credit where credit is due!
This notice covers all
pages, although, and I have done my
best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is
displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!
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