View source for MV Astoria

{{Short description|Cruise ship}}
{{other ships|Astoria (disambiguation)}}
{{Redirect|MS Stockholm (1948)|other ships named "Stockholm"|Stockholm (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|MS Athena (2005)|other ships|Athena (disambiguation)}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin
| Infobox caption = ''Astoria''
}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = Astoria (IMO 5383304).jpg
| Ship caption = ''Astoria'' in [[Thames Estuary]], 7 March 2017
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = 
| Ship flag = 
| Ship name = *1948–1960: ''Stockholm''
*1960–1985: ''Völkerfreundschaft''
*1985–1986: ''Volker''
*1986–1993: ''Fridtjof Nansen''
*1993–1994: ''Italia I''
*1994–1998: ''Italia Prima''
*1998–2002: ''Valtur Prima''
*2002–2005: ''Caribe''
*2005–2013: ''Athena''
*2013–2016: ''Azores''
*2016–present: ''Astoria''
| Ship owner = *1948–1960: [[Swedish America Line]]
*1960–1964: [[Freier Deutscher Gewerkschaftsbund]]
*1964–1973: VEB Deutsche Seereederei
*1973–1985: VEB Deutsche Seereederei/Deutfracht
*1985–1989: Neptunus Rex Enterprises
*1989–1993: [[StarLauro]]
*1993–2003: Nina SpA
*2003–2005: [[Festival Cruises|Festival Crociere SpA]]
*2005–2008: [[Classic International Cruises]]
*2008–2013: First Quality Cruises Inc
*2013–2021: Islands Cruises Transportes Marítimos
*2021–2022: [[Brock Pierce]]
*2023-present: [[Brock Pierce]], The Roundtable LLC.  
*<ref name=Miramar>{{csr|register=MSI|id=5383304|shipname=Stockholm|access-date=15 June 2021}}</ref><ref name=FoF>{{cite web|url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/stockholm_1948.htm|title=M/S Stockholm (1948)|access-date=2008-02-27 |last=Asklander|first=Micke|work=Fakta om Fartyg|language=sv}}</ref>
| Ship operator = *1948–1960: [[Swedish America Line]]
*1960–1966: VEB Deutsche Seereederei
*1966–1985: VEB Deutsche Seereederei (summer) / [[Stena Line]] (winter)
*1994–1995: Nina Cia. di Navigazione
*1995–1998: [[Neckermann Seereisen]]
*1998–2001: [[Valtur Tourist]]
*2002–2004:[[Festival Cruises]]
*2005–2013: [[Classic International Cruises]]<ref name=FoF/>
*2009: [[Phoenix Reisen]]
*2013–2014: [[Portuscale Cruises]]
*2015–2020 [[Cruise & Maritime Voyages]]
| Ship registry = *1948–1960: [[Gothenburg]], {{flag|Sweden}}
*1960–1985: [[Rostock]], {{flag|East Germany}}
*1985–1989: [[Panama City]], {{flag|Panama}}
*1989–2004: [[Naples]], {{flag|Italy|civil}}
*2004–present: [[Madeira]], {{flag|Portugal}}<ref name=FoF/>
| Ship ordered = October 1944<ref name=Timeline>{{cite web|url=http://www.salship.se/timeline.asp|title=SAL Timeline|access-date=2008-02-27|work=A tribute to the Swedish American Line|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309012952/http://www.salship.se/timeline.asp|archive-date=2008-03-09}}</ref>
| Ship builder = [[Götaverken]], [[Gothenburg]], [[Sweden]]
| Ship yard number = 611<ref name=FoF/>
| Ship laid down = 
| Ship launched = 9 September 1946<ref name=FoF/>
| Ship completed = 
| Ship christened = 9 September 1946<ref name=Timeline/>
| Ship renamed = 
| Ship acquired = 7 February 1948<ref name=FoF/>
| Ship in service = 21 February 1948<ref name=FoF/>
| Ship out of service = 2020
| Ship fate = 
| Ship status = Laid up in [[Rotterdam]].
| Ship identification = *Swedish Official Number 8926 (1948)<ref name="Miramar"/>
*Italian Official Number 1749 (1993)<ref name=Miramar/>
*[[Call sign]] CQRV (Portugal)
*{{IMO Number|5383304}}
*{{MMSI|255801380}} (Portugal)
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = (as built)<ref name=FoF/>
| Ship type = [[Ocean liner]]
| Ship tonnage = *{{GRT|12,165}}
*{{DWT|4,700}}
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length = {{cvt|160.08|m|ftin}}
| Ship beam = {{cvt|21.04|m|ftin}}
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = {{cvt|7.90|m|ftin}}
| Ship depth = 
| Ship ice class = 
| Ship power = *2 × 8-cylinder [[Götaverken]] [[diesel engine]]s
*{{cvt|12000|hp|kW|order=flip}} (combined)
| Ship propulsion = 
| Ship speed = {{convert|17|kn}}
| Ship capacity = 390 passengers
| Ship crew = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = (currently)<ref name=FoF/>
| Ship type = [[Cruise ship]]
| Ship tonnage = {{GT|15,614}}
| Ship displacement = 
| Ship length = 
| Ship beam = 
| Ship height = 
| Ship draught = 
| Ship depth = 
| Ship decks = 
| Ship ice class = 
| Ship power = *2 × [[Wärtsilä]] 16V32
*{{cvt|14300|hp|kW|order=flip}} (combined)
| Ship propulsion = 
| Ship speed = {{convert|19|kn}}
| Ship capacity = 556 passengers
| Ship crew = 
| Ship notes = 
}}
|}
'''MV ''Astoria''''' is a ship that was constructed as the transatlantic [[ocean liner]] '''''Stockholm''''' for [[Swedish American Line]], and rebuilt as a [[cruise ship]] in 1993. Ordered in 1944, and commenced service in 1948, at 76 years old, she is the oldest deep water passenger liner still around in a non retired status. As ''Stockholm'', she was best known for an accidental collision with [[SS Andrea Doria|''Andrea Doria'']] in July 1956, resulting in the sinking of the latter ship and 46 fatalities off the coast of [[Nantucket]], Massachusetts, United States.

During her seven decades of service she has passed through several owners and sailed under the names '''''Stockholm''''', '''''Völkerfreundschaft''''', '''''Volker''''', '''''Fridtjof Nansen''''', '''''Italia I''''', '''''Italia Prima''''', '''''Valtur Prima''''', '''''Caribe''''', '''''Athena''''', and '''''Azores''''' before beginning service as '''''Astoria''''' in March 2016. ''Astoria'' sailed with [[Cruise & Maritime Voyages]] until 2020 when the company suspended operations due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] and has been laid up since.

==MS ''Stockholm''==
[[File:MN Stockholm.jpg|thumb|left|''Stockholm'' as built]]
The ship was ordered in 1944, and launched 9 September 1946, as '''''Stockholm''''' by [[Götaverken]] in [[Gothenburg]] for the [[Swedish America Line]] (SAL). The ship was designed by Swedish American Line designer, Eric Christiansson, who worked as the technical director at parent company [[Axel Ludvig Broström|Broström]].<ref name=":2"/> She was the fourth ship named ''Stockholm'' for Swedish American Line, but the second of the four to actually sail under the name (See: [[MS Stockholm (1941)|MS ''Stockholm'' (1941)]]). When [[MS Stockholm (1941)|''Stockholm'' III]] was sold to the Italians, the proceeds were initially left aside, but were later used to finance the construction of the ship after the 1941 Stockholm was sunk during the war.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book|last=Dawson, Philip S.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/43419400|title=Cruise ships : an evolution in design|date=2000|publisher=Conway Maritime|isbn=0-85177-660-4|location=London|oclc=43419400}}</ref>

At {{convert|525|ft|2}} with a [[gross register tonnage]] of 12,165, ''Stockholm'' at the time was the smallest passenger ship operating on the [[North Atlantic]] route,<ref>{{Cite news|date=1948-03-15|title=STOCKHOLM SETS RECORD; Swedish American Liner Makes Speed Mark to Goeteborg|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/03/15/archives/stockholm-sets-record-swedish-american-liner-makes-speed-mark-to.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> but the largest passenger ship built in [[Sweden]], with the largest diesel propulsion unit yet built in Sweden.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=1948-01-04|title=NEW SWEDISH SHIP DUE HERE MARCH 1; Comfort Rather Than Luxury Is Keynote on Motorliner Stockholm, Line Reports|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/01/04/archives/new-swedish-ship-due-here-march-1-comfort-rather-than-luxury-is.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Originally designed to carry a total of 395 passengers, divided between first and tourist class, and a cargo capacity of 3,000 tons. Interiors were completed by Swedish artists, including Kurt Jungstedt.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wealleans|first=Anne|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WZt-AgAAQBAJ&q=Swedish+artist++Kurt+Jungstedt+swedish+american+liner&pg=PA80|title=Designing Liners: A History of Interior Design Afloat|date=2006-09-27|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-134-18939-7|language=en}}</ref> When delivered, the ship would replace the aging [[SS Drottningholm|SS ''Drottningholm'']], and run an alternating transatlantic service with [[MS Gripsholm (1924)|MS ''Gripsholm'']].<ref name=":0"/> She made her [https://www.britishpathe.com/video/new-swedish-ss-stockholm/query/Gothenburg maiden voyage] on February 21, 1948, under the command of Captain Waldemar Jonsson, from Gothenburg arriving in New York on March 1.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1948-03-01|title=Shipping News and Notes; New Swedish American Liner Stockholm Scheduled Here Today on Maiden Trip|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1948/03/01/archives/shipping-news-and-notes-new-swedish-american-liner-stockholm.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
[[File:Fartygsmodell-STOCKHOLM - Sjöhistoriska museet - SM 26406.tif|thumb|left|Model of MS ''Stockholm'', displayed at [[Maritime Museum (Stockholm)|Sjöhistoriska Museet]] in [[Stockholm]]]]The ''Stockholm'' would continue to sail the transatlantic route, later joined by the new [[MS Kungsholm (1952)|MS ''Kungsholm'']] (1952). A 1953 refit expanded ''Stockholm's'' capacity to 548 people by infilling the outdoor aft and forward end of "A" Deck with passenger cabins. Due to the small size, and not handling the North Atlantic seas very well during the colder months, the Swedish American Line scheduled her for occasional cruises starting in 1953 out of [[Morehead City, North Carolina]] cruising to [[Havana]], [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], and [[Bermuda]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=North Carolina state ports|url=https://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/collection/p16062coll9/id/55/|access-date=2020-06-14|website=digital.ncdcr.gov|language=en}}</ref> In February 1955, she was used to deport [[Arne Pettersen]], the last person to go through [[Ellis Island]], to [[Gothenburg]], [[Sweden]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smolenyak |first=Megan |date=2021-03-18 |title=We Finally Know What Happened to Arne Pettersen, the Last to Leave Ellis Island |url=https://smolenyak.medium.com/we-finally-know-what-happened-to-arne-pettersen-the-last-to-leave-ellis-island-3529a692389d |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref> A later refit in 1956/57 added a cinema to the deck forward end of the main superstructure, and an outdoor pool aft.

With both MS ''Kungsholm'' and the new [[MS Gripsholm (1957)|MS ''Gripsholm'']] (1957) sailing, the smaller ''Stockholm'' was started to be seen as too small and not meeting the current standards of the line. The ship was sold in May 1959 to, at the time, an unidentified German company. The ship would finish out the year sailing with Swedish American Line to New York, before being transferred in 1960 to the new company.<ref>{{Cite news|title=STOCKHOLM SOLD BY SWEDISH LINE; Identity of German Buyer Not Disclosed -- Delivery Will Be Made Next Year| work=The New York Times |url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1959/05/16/80578843.html?pdf_redirect=true&site=false|access-date=2020-06-14|language=en}}</ref>

== Collision with ''Andrea Doria'' ==
[[File:Stockholm following Andrea Doria collision.jpg|thumb|left|26 July 1956: After colliding with ''Andrea Doria'', ''Stockholm'', with severely damaged [[Bow (watercraft)|bow]] heads to New York]]
{{main|SS Andrea Doria}}
On the night of July 25, 1956, at 11:10 p.m., in heavy fog in the North [[Atlantic Ocean]] off the coast of [[Nantucket]], ''Stockholm'' and ''[[SS Andrea Doria|Andrea Doria]]'' of the [[Italian Line]] collided in what was to become one of history's most notorious [[maritime disaster]]s.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1956-07-27|title=CAPTAIN ARRIVES, SILENT ON CAUSES; Lauds Crew and Rescuers --Gives No Clue to Crash Andrea Doria's Haggard Captain Arrives, But Gives No Clue to Cause of Collision|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/27/archives/captain-arrives-silent-on-causes-lauds-crew-and-rescuers-gives-no.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Although most passengers and crew survived the collision, the larger ''Andrea Doria'' luxury liner capsized and sank the following morning. Owing to the collision, 50% of ''Andrea Doria''{{'s}} [[Lifeboat (shipboard)|lifeboats]] were unusable. However, a number of ships, including [[SS Île de France|SS ''Ile de France'']], responded and provided assistance, which averted a massive loss of life.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1956-07-26|title=SHIP BUILT TO TAKE COLLISION SAFELY; Andrea Doria Hull Divided to Give Stability--Lifeboats Could Carry 2,000 SHIP BUILT TO TAKE COLLISION SAFELY|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/26/archives/ship-built-to-take-collision-safely-andrea-doria-hull-divided-to.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

Five members of ''Stockholm''{{'}}s crew were killed instantly, and several more were trapped in the wrecked [[Bow (ship)|bow]]. Despite having lost about {{convert|3|ft|1}} of [[Freeboard (nautical)|freeboard]], the crippled ''Stockholm'' helped in the rescue and ended up carrying 327 passengers and 245 crew members from ''Andrea Doria'', in addition to her own passengers and crew.<ref>{{Cite news|title=SWEDEN SALUTES STOCKHOLM CREW; Line Also Expresses 100% Confidence in Ship's Role in Doria Collision NEW DAMAGE SUITS FILED $500,000 Asked by Brooklyn Shoemaker--1,500 Attend Mass for the Dead Expert Seamanship Hailed Suits Charge Negligence Lines Decline Comment SWEDEN SALUTES STOCKHOLM CREW| work=The New York Times |url=http://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1956/08/03/86666306.html?pageNumber=21|access-date=2020-06-14|language=en}}</ref> After the ships had separated, and as ''Stockholm'' crew members were beginning to survey the damage, one of the crew came across [[Linda Morgan]], who had been thrown from her bed on ''Andrea Doria'' as the two ships collided and landed on ''Stockholm''{{'}}s deck, suffering moderate but not life-threatening injuries.

[[File:StateLibQld 1 171275 Stockholm (ship).jpg|thumb|left|Damaged ''Stockholm'' entering port of New York]]
After ''Andrea Doria'' sank, ''Stockholm'' sailed to [[New York City]] under her own power and arrived on July 27. There, the crushed bow portion was rebuilt at a cost of [[US$]]1 million three months later at [[Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation|Bethlehem Shipyard]] in [[Brooklyn]], New York.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Times|first=George Hornethe New York|date=1956-07-27|title=Safety Men Puzzled By Failure of Radar To Prevent Collision; SURVIVORS ASSAIL THE DORIA'S CREW Unit Had 6 Ranges|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1956/07/27/archives/safety-men-puzzled-by-failure-of-radar-to-prevent-collision.html|access-date=2020-06-02|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> An inquiry followed the events, with a settlement reached after 6 months between the Italian Line and Swedish American Line.

=== Wreckage from collision ===
==== Ship's bell ====
[[File:Stockholm bell.jpg|thumb|Damaged bell from the bow of ''Stockholm,'' salvaged from the wreck of ''Andrea Doria'' and currently displayed on board ''Astoria'']]
Years following the collision, ''Andrea Doria'' became a popular dive site. In 1959, ''Stockholm''{{'}}s damaged ship's bell was recovered from the wreck site. Today it is displayed onboard in the ship's lobby.

==== Discovery of the bow wreckage ====
In September 2020, New Jersey–based Atlantic Wreck Salvage announced that their ship, D/V ''Tenacious'', had discovered ''Stockholm''{{'}}s bow and anchors. The divers made the confirmation based on the presence and unique style of both anchors, internal bow reinforcements, accordion-style crumpling on the wreckage in the same pattern as seen in photos of ''Stockholm'' after the collision, and the location of the wreckage near ''Andrea Doria''{{'}}s final resting place.<ref name="Asbury">{{cite news|last1=Carino|first1=Jerry|title=Andrea Doria wreck discovery: Millstone captain finds bow of ship that sunk her|url=https://eu.app.com/story/news/history/2020/09/15/andrea-doria-wreck-discovery-stockholm-bow/5796154002/|access-date=14 December 2020|work=[[Asbury Park Press]]|date=15 September 2020|location=Neptune Township, New Jersey}}</ref>

== East German ship ''Völkerfreundschaft'' ==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-71706-0047, MS "Völkerfreundschaft", erste Fahrt.jpg|thumb|The ship in 1961, sailing as ''Völkerfreundschaft'']]
On 3 January 1960, ''Stockholm'' was transferred to the [[East German]] government for 20 million [[Swedish krona]], renaming the ship ''Völkerfreundschaft'' ("[[Proletarian internationalism|friendship between nations]]") operating under the line [[Deutsche Seereederei]] (German Shipping Company), a precursor of [[AIDA Cruises]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=NDR |title=Die "Völkerfreundschaft" - Urlauberschiff der DDR |url=https://www.ndr.de/geschichte/chronologie/Die-Voelkerfreundschaft-Urlauberschiff-der-DDR,voelkerfreundschaft102.html |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.ndr.de |language=de}}</ref>

''Völkerfreundschaft'' made her new maiden voyage on February 23, 1960, and was home-ported in [[Rostock]], Germany, eventually operating in tandem with the newly built ''[[:de:Fritz Heckert (Schiff, 1960)|Fritz Heckert]]''.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|last=Schwerdtner|first= Nils|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/832608271|title=German luxury ocean liners : from Kaiser Wilhelm der Gross to AIDAstella|date=11 July 2013|isbn=978-1-4456-0474-9|publisher=OCLC.org|location= Stroud|oclc=832608271}}</ref> When the Berlin wall went up in 1961, all ports were restricted to communist countries only, which greatly limited sailing routes. The ship made trips to Cuba, and would be one of the two ships that was en route to Havana during the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]], where she was suspiciously watched by US military planes and vessels. The ship was already halfway to Havana, and it was necessary to continue to resupply and refuel. Carrying German and Czech holidaymakers, she passed through the American blockade line, accompanied by a United States Navy destroyer at a distance of two nautical miles. The vessel reached Havana unscathed, quickly turning back to East Germany after her arrival.<ref name=":3"/> 

In 1964 the ship was put under the management of the [[Free German Trade Union Federation]], but would be chartered out to western European countries for a majority of the year. This would be expanded in 1967, with [[Stena Line]] chartering the ship for Swedish passengers for half of the year, doing within annually until the ship was sold in 1985 due to its age and continued losses, which reached 70 million [[East German mark]]s between 1975 and 1980.<ref>{{Cite web |last=mdr.de |title=Traumschiff für die "werktätige Bevölkerung": "Völkerfreundschaft" {{!}} MDR.DE |url=https://www.mdr.de/geschichte/ddr/wirtschaft/seefahrt/schiff-ahoi-zur-see-traumschiff-ms-voelkerfreundschaft-100.html |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.mdr.de |language=de}}</ref> 

=== Appearance in East German disaster movie ===
''Völkerfreundschaft'' made an appearance as the luxury liner ''Astoria'' in the 1979 East German Film [[:de:Die_Rache_des_Kapitäns_Mitchell|Die Rache des Kapitäns Mitchell.]]<ref>{{Cite book|last=Smith|first=Peter|title=Cruise Ships: The Small-Scale Fleet|date=31 March 2014|publisher=Barnsley, S. Yorkshire: Pen & Sword Books Ltd.|isbn=978-1-7815-9281-6}}</ref> In the movie, she collides with a coal freighter in fog and threatens to sink. Captain Mitchell, portrayed by [[Dieter Mann|Dietter Mann]], organizes the orderly rescue of passengers.

=== Incidents during East German service ===
The ship saw multiple incidents during her service under the Deutsche Seereederei. In 1968, the Bundesmarine [[submarine chaser]] ''Najade'' rammed the vessel during its rescue of [[East German defectors|East German defector]] Manfred Semmig, who had fallen into the sea while attempting to escape the vessel via a [[Clothes line|clothesline.]] The ship had made an unexpected turn after Semming had fallen into the sea, resulting in a collision as ''Najade'' attempted to avoid running over the man. Tilting nearly 30 degrees after its collision with ''Völkerfreundschaft,'' ''Najade'' recovered and safely rescued the defector.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Schröter |first=Jan |date=2020-03-05 |title=Sprung in die Ostsee: Spektakuläre DDR-Flucht auf Kreuzfahrt |url=https://www.spiegel.de/geschichte/ddr-flucht-kollision-mit-kreuzfahrtschiff-sprung-in-die-ostsee-a-80e82a3b-3d22-4d0f-a4e9-2d7fb3fdfb22 |access-date=2024-06-21 |work=Der Spiegel |language=de |issn=2195-1349}}</ref> This was followed by an incident in 1970 where a machinist and three medical researchers leapt off the Cuba-bound ship near the Florida Keys and was rescued by a small boat driven by the machinist's brother.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1970-11-28 |title=Four Flee East German Ship in Leap Off Florida Keys |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/11/28/archives/four-flee-east-german-ship-in-leap-off-florida-keys-rescue-from-sea.html |access-date=2024-06-22 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> 

On January 21, 1983, the ship collided with [[German Navy|West German Navy]] submarine ''U-26'' in the Baltic Sea off the [[Fehmarn Belt]]. Sailing on surface in rough seas, the commander of the submarine ordered the boat to be navigated via periscope and without the use of radar – a common procedure at the time during the Cold War in the vicinity of naval vessels of the Warsaw Pact. A court of lay judges in Kiel later judged that this accident could have been avoided with radar.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Katastrophen auf See : die Seeunfälle der zivilen DDR-Schiffahrt - Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek |url=http://www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/item/BLURCSZJRMX7FYQMQMJBQMXGJPPVLP34 |access-date=2024-06-21 |website=www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de |language=de}}</ref> Damages to ''U-26'' cost multiple millions of [[Deutsche Mark|West German Marks]] in repairs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Noteworthy Events |url=https://dubm.de/noteworthy-events-3/?lang=en |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Deutsches U-Boot-Museum |language=en-US}}</ref>
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-G1011-0023-001, Warnemünde, MS "Völkerfreundschaft", Auslaufen (cropped).jpg|thumb|Völkerfreundschaft docked in Warnemünde, 1968]]

== Norwegian barracks ship ''Fridtjof Nansen'' ==
In 1985 she was transferred to a Panamanian company, Neptunas Rex Enterprises. Her name was reduced to ''Volker'', and by the end of the year she was laid up in [[Southampton]], England. In 1985 the ship was renamed ''Fridtjof Nansen'' was later used as a barracks ship in [[Oslo]] for [[Right of asylum|asylum seekers]] in Norway.

== Rebuilding into a modern cruise ship ==
[[File:Stockholm refit genova.jpg|thumb|Conversion into a cruise ship at a [[Genoa]] shipyard in 1993]]
In 1989, ex-''Stockholm'' was officially sold to the Italian [[MSC Cruises|Star Lauro Lines]], who intended to convert the liner into a luxury cruise ship. The ship was still under charter as the ''Fridtjof Nansen'', and so remained in Oslo until 1993. The ship was towed to a shipyard in [[Genoa]], Italy, ''Andrea Doria''{{'s}} home port; but when she arrived, the press labeled her "the ship of death" (''La nave della morte'') due to the collision with ''Andrea Doria''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shammas|first=Brittany|title='Ship of death': A floating piece of cruise history may be nearing its final voyage|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2020/01/29/historic-cruise-ship/|access-date=2020-06-14|newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> During conversion, it was discovered that the ex-''Stockholm'' was in very good condition. <ref name="TGOL">{{cite web |last1=Ljungström |first1=Henrik |title=Stockholm (III) |url=http://thegreatoceanliners.com/articles/stockholm-iii/ |website=The Great Ocean Liners |date=April 2018 |access-date=27 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211025043414/http://thegreatoceanliners.com/articles/stockholm-iii/ |archive-date=25 October 2021}}</ref> 

She was completely gutted on the interior, and rebuilt from the promenade deck up. New diesel engines were installed, and a new bridge was built, extending the superstructure forward. The aft decks were built up, giving her a more modern cruise ship profile. A large ducktail was added that significantly altered the stern appearance. Although not very recognizable from her original appearance as ''Stockholm;'' many elements such as the bow and anchor, hull window arrangement, passenger lifts and stair locations, and the distinct double porthole dining room windows, were all visible traits from the original ''Stockholm'' design.{{cn|date=December 2022}}

== Cruise ship ==

=== ''Italia I – Italia Prima – Valtur Prima'' ===
[[File:"Italia Prima" - Genoa, 1994.jpg|thumb|As ''Italia Prima'' in Genoa, in 1994]]
Following the completion of the refit in 1994, ship was named ''Italia I'', then ''Italia Prima'', she later sailed as ''Valtur Prima'' primarily to Cuba, and was laid up in Havana following the [[September 11 attacks|September 11 Attacks]].

=== ''Caribe'' ===
The ship was chartered by [[Festival Cruises]] in 2002 for a five-year period and was renamed ''Caribe.'' Although Festival Cruises intended to sail to Cuba on seven-day cruises, the plans fell through and the ship was sold to a Portuguese-based operator in 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |last=By |date=2006-08-19 |title=50 years after disaster, ship remains a survivor |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2006/08/19/50-years-after-disaster-ship-remains-a-survivor/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Baltimore Sun |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== ''Athena'' ===
[[File:Athena (ship, 1948) IMO 5383304 + Queen Victoria (ship, 2007) IMO 9320556; in Split, 2011-10-29.jpg|thumb|''Athena'' passing Cunard's ''Queen Victoria'' in 2011]]
In 2005 the ''Caribe'' was renamed ''Athena'', being registered in Portugal. She was reflagged to Cyprus operating for [[Classic International Cruises]]. On a transatlantic cruise in October 2006 the ship was caught in two violent hurricanes, causing a fatality and passengers threatening mutiny.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2006-10-04 |title=Cruise in hurricanes 'nightmare' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/cornwall/5405244.stm |access-date=2024-06-22 |language=en-GB}}</ref> The ship later safely arrived in [[Halifax, Nova Scotia|Halifax]], before continuing on to New York. Upon arrival, the [[The New York Times|New York Times]] approximated her arrival to ''<nowiki/>'the convict sentenced to 50 years for murder who completes his sentence and revisits the scene of the crime.'''<ref>{{Cite news |last=Feuer |first=Alan |date=2006-09-23 |title=From 'Death Ship' to Cruise Ship |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/23/nyregion/23ship.html |access-date=2024-06-25 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> 

==== Pirate attack ====
On December 3, 2008 ''Athena'' was attacked by [[Piracy off the coast of Somalia|pirates]] in the [[Gulf of Aden]]. Reportedly, 29 pirate boats surrounded the ship at one stage until a [[US Navy]] [[P-3 Orion]] maritime patrol aircraft circled above which caused some of the pirates to flee. The crew prevented the pirates from boarding by firing high-pressure water cannons at them. No one was injured and the ship escaped without damage, continuing her voyage to Australia.<ref name=sun>{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24748674-662,00.html|title=Pirates attack luxury cruise ship bound for Australia|access-date=2008-12-07|last=Langmaid|first= Aaron|work=Herald sun|date=2008-12-04}}</ref>

[[File:Athena (ship, 1948) IMO 5383304; in Split, 2011-10-22 (3).jpg|thumb|left|As ''Athena'' in [[Split, Croatia|Split]], 22 October 2011]]
In 2009 the ship was chartered to German cruise operator [[Phoenix Reisen]] and repainted in the company colors with a turquoise funnel and company logo. On September 17, 2012, reports announced that she and her fellow ship ''Princess Danae'' were detained in [[Marseille]], France, for unpaid fuel bills.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/7877-cic-ships-arrested-.html|title=CIC Ships Arrested - Cruise Industry News &#124; Cruise News|publisher=Cruise Industry News|date=2012-09-18|access-date=2014-06-03}}</ref>

=== ''Azores'' ===
Early in 2013 ''Athena'' was bought by the recently created Portuguese cruise company [[Portuscale Cruises]] and renamed ''Azores''. As soon as her acquisition was confirmed, she was taken to a shipyard in Marseille, where she was revamped. She then entered Portuscale Cruises service after completing a charter for Berlin-based Ambiente Kreuzfahrten, from whom she was chartered to Classic International to join her fleetmate ''Princess Daphne''. 

[[File:Azores at Pier 25 in Tallinn 19 May 2014.JPG|thumb|As ''Azores'' in [[Tallinn, Estonia|Tallinn]], 2014]]
The charter began in March 2014 with a cruise from [[Lisbon]], Portugal, to [[Bremerhaven]], Germany, and concluded in November 2014 in Genoa, Italy. After Portuscale's collapse, the administrator of the ship's formal owner, Island Cruises—Transportes Marítimos, Unipessoal Ltda., secured a charter to [[Cruise & Maritime Voyages]] (CMV).<ref name="Tradewinds04032021">{{cite news|last1=Boonzaier|first1=Jonathan|title=Nobody wants to buy the world's oldest cruiseship |url=https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/nobody-wants-to-buy-the-world-s-oldest-cruiseship/2-1-972285|access-date=24 July 2021|work=TradeWinds: Cruise & Ferry|publisher=TradeWinds AS|date=4 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210616043231if_/https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/nobody-wants-to-buy-the-world-s-oldest-cruiseship/2-1-972285|archive-date=16 June 2021|location=Oslo}}</ref> Her first voyage was from [[Avonmouth Docks]] to the Caribbean in January 2015.<ref>{{cite web|title=CMV to replace Discovery from the UK|url=http://www.travelmole.com/news_feature.php?news_id=2012138&c=setreg&region=2|website=TravelMole|publisher=TravelMole.com|access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> In April 2015, she was blocked from port due to unpaid debts, stranding passengers  aboard until the issue was resolved.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Editor |first1=About The Author Bulletin Editor |last2=blog |first2=Creative Copywriter of Cruise co uk's bulletin |last3=News |first3=Bringing You Cruise |last4=tips |last5=Contact |first5=guides daily!- |date=2015-04-10 |title=Cruise Ship Impounded By Portuguese Authorities |url=https://www.cruise.co.uk/bulletin/cmvs-azores-impounded/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=Cruise Bulletin |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== ''Astoria'' ===
[[File:AzoresCMV.jpg|thumb|''Azores'' with Cruise & Maritime Voyages in [[Liverpool]], 2015]]
In March 2016 the ship was renamed ''Astoria'' by Cruise & Maritime Voyages and from May 2016 until March 2017 was subchartered to French tour operator Rivages du Monde.<ref name="CruiseCapital">{{cite web|title=Cruise & Maritime Voyages Announce Sub-Charter Of Azores To French Cruise Operator|url=http://cruisecapital.co.uk/cruise-maritime-voyages-announce-sub-charter-of-azores-to-french-cruise-operator/|website=Cruise Capital|publisher=Jordan Bailey|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref> Since 2016, ''Astoria'' is the last remaining vessel of the former Swedish American Line still afloat, after the former [[MV Kungsholm (1965)|''Kungsholm'']] was scrapped in 2016.

In June 2016, it was announced that ''Astoria'' would be leaving the CMV fleet after her final cruise on April 27, 2017 from London Tilbury.<ref>{{cite web|title=Astoria Set To Leave The CMV Fleet In 2017|url=http://cruisecapital.co.uk/astoria-set-to-leave-the-cmv-fleet-in-2017/|website=Cruise Capital|publisher=Jordan Bailey|access-date=29 June 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=7107|title=World's Oldest Cruise Ship to Leave Cruise & Maritime Voyages|website=www.cruisecritic.com}}</ref> In February 2017, CMV announced that ''Astoria'' would remain in the CMV fleet until 2018. She would offer a mini-season from London Tilbury, before being charted by Rivages du Monde during the summer months.<ref>{{cite web|title=CMV Make U-Turn Decision And Keep Astoria In Fleet For 2018|url=http://cruisecapital.co.uk/cmv-make-u-turn-decision-and-keep-astoria-in-fleet-for-2018/|website=Cruise Capital|publisher=Jordan Bailey|access-date=25 February 2017}}</ref>

''Astoria'' was scheduled to begin winter cruising the [[Sea of Cortez]] from the port of Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) Mexico from December 2019,<ref>https://us.cruiseandmaritime.com/cruise/r004/treasures-of-the-sea-of-cortez{{Dead link|fix-attempted=yes|date=September 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Yeager |first=Melissa |title=We sailed on the first Rocky Point cruise. Should you? Here are 3 takeaways |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/destinations/2020/01/22/review-first-rocky-point-cruise-puerto-penasco-cruise-maritime-voyages-astoria-ship/4531034002/ |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=The Arizona Republic |language=en-US}}</ref> but this sailing only took place until January 2020 due to unspecified delays in dry dock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/destinations/2019/10/28/launch-first-rocky-point-puerto-penasco-cruise-postponed-until-january/2487039001/|title=Inaugural Rocky Point cruises canceled for December, rescheduled for January|last=Yeager|first=Melissa|website=azcentral|access-date=2019-10-28}}</ref> The 2020 cruise season was intended to be the last for ''Astoria'' in the CMV fleet.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The World's Oldest Operating Cruise Ship Is Getting Ready to Retire|url=https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/mv-astoria-ms-stockholm-oldest-cruise-ship-retiring|website=Travel + Leisure|access-date=2020-06-02}}</ref>

During the [[COVID-19 pandemic|Covid-19 pandemic]] and the bankruptcy of CMV, 47 crew members of the Astoria began a hunger strike demanding the wages owed to them and repatriation home in mid-June, after weeks of appealing to CMV proved fruitless. Subsequently, the vessel was arrested by UK [[Maritime & Coastguard Agency]] officers in June 2020 following reports she was about to set sail and leave UK jurisdiction without arranging the repatriation of foreign crew members stranded in the UK by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Their story: the hunger striking seafarers at Tilbury trying to get home {{!}} ITF ShipBeSure |url=https://www.itfshipbesure.org/news/their-story-hunger-striking-seafarers-tilbury-trying-get-home |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.itfshipbesure.org}}</ref> CMV entered administration in 2020.<ref name="Independent21-07-2020">{{cite news|last1=Calder|first1=Simon|title=CMV cruise line goes into administration with thousands of forward bookings|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/cmv-cruise-line-administration-coronavirus-a9629591.html|access-date=15 June 2021|work=Independent|date=21 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301071618/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/cmv-cruise-line-administration-coronavirus-a9629591.html|archive-date=1 March 2021|location=London}}</ref> ''Astoria'' was later moved to [[Rotterdam]] in December 2020 and put up for auction on 1 March 2021, with a minimum sale price of €10 million, but received no offers until July 2021.<ref name="Tradewinds04032021"/> The ship remained in custody pending decisions by owners and creditors.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sale of cruise vessel Astoria|url=https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/classified/ads/sale-of-cruise-vessel-astoria|access-date=15 June 2021|work=Lloyd's List|date=2 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615100602/https://lloydslist.maritimeintelligence.informa.com/classified/ads/sale-of-cruise-vessel-astoria|archive-date=15 June 2021}}</ref>

==== Sale and continued dormancy ====
In July 2021, the ship was purchased by The Roundtable LLC, a Puerto Rico–based affiliate of [[Brock Pierce]],<ref name=Tradewinds01022023>{{cite news|url=https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/owner-denies-world-s-oldest-cruise-ship-has-been-sold-for-recycling/2-1-1395779|last=Boonzaler|first=Jonathan|title=Owner denies world's oldest cruise ship has been sold for recycling|date=1 February 2023|work=TradeWinds |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201111304/https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/owner-denies-world-s-oldest-cruise-ship-has-been-sold-for-recycling/2-1-1395779 |archive-date=1 February 2023}}</ref> who also acquired [[MV Funchal|''Funchal'']]. The new owner intended to return ''Astoria'' to service, and convert ''Funchal'' to a [[hotelship]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Astoria Bought By American Group, Will Cruise Again |url=https://cruiseharbournews.com/astoriabought.html |access-date=25 July 2021 |work=Cruise & Harbour News |date=24 July 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211026185600/https://cruiseharbournews.com/astoriabought.html |archive-date=26 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Portugal|first=Rádio e Televisão de|title=Paquete Funchal ganha nova vida|url=https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/pais/paquete-funchal-ganha-nova-vida_v1337780|website=Paquete Funchal ganha nova vida|date=24 July 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cabrita-Mendes|first=André|date=August 24, 2021|title=Empresário norte-americano gastou sete milhões para comprar e transformar paquete Funchal em hotel de luxo|url=https://jornaleconomico.sapo.pt/noticias/empresario-norte-americano-gastou-sete-milhoes-para-comprar-e-transformar-paquete-funchal-em-hotel-de-luxo-776679|website=O Jornal Económico}}</ref> 

After the ship broke loose of her moorings in February 2022 and crashed into the container ship ''Seatrade Orange'' during a storm,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-25 |title=L'Astoria remis aux enchères, probablement pour la dernière fois {{!}} Mer et Marine |url=https://www.meretmarine.com/fr/l-astoria-remis-aux-encheres-probablement-pour-la-derniere-fois |access-date=2024-06-22 |website=www.meretmarine.com |language=fr}}</ref> in March those plans were abandoned and the ship was again made available for sale, never having left port in Rotterdam.<ref>{{cite news |title=Astoria Set for the Auction Block Once More |url=https://cruiseharbournews.com/astoriaauction.html |access-date=16 December 2022 |work=Cruise & Harbour News |date=29 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702121718/https://cruiseharbournews.com/astoriaauction.html |archive-date=2 July 2022}}</ref> By December 2022, the ship was listed on sale in the online yacht sale platform [[YachtWorld|Yachtworld]] for merely $5 million.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-29 |title=1948 Cruise Ship Cruise Ship for sale - YachtWorld |url=https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1948-cruise-ship---550-641-passengers----completely-rebuilt-1994----stock-no.-s2128-6077510/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229195239/https://www.yachtworld.co.uk/yacht/1948-cruise-ship---550-641-passengers----completely-rebuilt-1994----stock-no.-s2128-6077510/ |archive-date=2022-12-29 }}</ref> After rumours of a scrap sale, ''Astoria''{{'}}s owner confirmed in January 2023 that they were still attempting to make a sale for continued trading.<ref name="Tradewinds01022023" /> As of July 2024, the ship remains laid up in Rotterdam.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}
[[File:Rotterdam - 3087 - 2024.01.07 - SCMA - « Astoria » © Anthony Levrot.jpg|thumb|MV Astoria laid up in [[Waalhaven]] Dock 1, January 2024]]
As of October 2024, Astoria's current status on the [[S&P Global]] International Ships Register is listed as “to be broken up.” <ref>{{Cite web |last=Astorian |first=Elleda Wilson The |date=2024-02-15 |title=In One Ear: A sad end |url=https://www.dailyastorian.com/life/in_one_ear/in-one-ear-a-sad-end/article_c2b7d82c-cad9-11ee-92c8-e3c011dc21f6.html |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=The Astorian |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[SS Monterey|SS ''Monterey,'']] served 66 years
* {{MS|Dunnottar Castle}}, served for 68 years
* {{SS|Germanic|1874||}}, served for 75 years
* [[SS Parthia (1870)|SS ''Parthia'']], served for 86 years
* [[RMS Hecla|RMS '' Hecla'']], served for 94 years
* [[MV Doulos Phos|MV ''Doulos Phos'']], served for 95 years

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|IMO 5383304}}
*[https://www.britishpathe.com/video/new-swedish-ss-stockholm/query/Gothenburg Film: MS Stockholm Maiden Voyage]
*[http://www.salship.se Tribute to Swedish American Line]
*[http://www.ssmaritime.com/Stockholm.htm ssMaritime: MS Stockholm Ship History]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kwBAHWZpDw Inside historical cruise ship MV Astoria | Fully explored]
{{Portal bar|Transport}}
{{Piracy in Somalia}}
{{Cruise & Maritime Voyages}}
{{1956 shipwrecks}}
<!-- {{coord|40|29|30|N|69|51|0|W|display=title|type:event_region:XA}} THIS IS THE COORDS OF ANDREA DORIA, NOT THE MV ASTORIA -->

{{DEFAULTSORT:Astoria}}
[[Category:Maritime accidents involving fog]]
[[Category:Ocean liners]]
[[Category:Cruise ships of Portugal]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in 1956]]
[[Category:Piracy in Somalia]]
[[Category:1946 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Gothenburg]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of Sweden]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of Sweden]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of East Germany]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of East Germany]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of Panama]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of Panama]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of Italy]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of Italy]]
[[Category:Merchant ships of Portugal]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of Portugal]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in the United States]]
[[Category:Ships of Swedish American Line]]