What Happened to the Astoria Cruise Ship?

By Robert Palmer

The Astoria Cruise Ship was launched in 1931 by the Italian company, Italia Flotte Riunite S.A. It was one of the most luxurious ships of its time and was known for its grandeur and unique design.

The Astoria Cruise ship was originally intended to be a luxury liner, but it ended up becoming a cruise ship because of the high demand for ocean-going vessels during World War II. During WWII, the Italian government requisitioned the Astoria Cruise ship to serve as an evacuation vessel in 1941. The Astoria Cruise ship served as a hospital and convoy ship during the war, traveling from Italy to various ports around the world.

After WWII ended in 1945, the Astoria Cruise Ship returned to Italy and resumed its original role as a luxury liner. The ship sailed between Genoa and New York City several times a year until 1950 when it was sold to American company Compagnie Generale Transatlantique (CGT).

The Astoria Cruise Ship underwent several renovations under CGT’s ownership and was used for various purposes over the next few decades including transporting troops from France to Algeria in 1954 and carrying passengers on transatlantic voyages between Europe and North America.

In 1979, CGT sold the Astoria Cruise Ship to Greek shipping magnate Aristotelis Onassis who renamed it SS Achille Lauro. The vessel continued serving as a passenger liner until 1985 when it caught fire off the coast of Somalia while en route from Genoa to Port Said with 1,700 passengers on board.

The Achille Lauro continued sailing with reduced passenger capacity until 1994 when another fire caused significant damage to the vessel off Port Said in Egypt. Citing safety concerns, Greek authorities ordered that the Achille Lauro be decommissioned and scrapped shortly thereafter.

Conclusion:

What happened to the Astoria Cruise Ship? It started out as a luxurious Italian liner in 1931 but ended up being requisitioned by the Italian government during World War II and used as an evacuation vessel.

After WWII ended in 1945, it resumed its original role as a luxury liner before being purchased by American company Compagnie Generale Transatlantique (CGT). After several renovations under CGT’s ownership, it eventually caught fire twice off Port Said in 1985 and 1994 respectively before being decommissioned and scrapped due to safety concerns.