Dear Mr. Driscoll,

   As a former member of Chandris Lines' -and later, Celebrity Cruises' - London management, I did enjoy reading you book, this magnificent ship being an integral part of the first part of my business career  with the Chandris family (1964-1999).

   Many hours and days I spent on her at Southampton and at sea en route to Rotterdam or Cherbourg or Piraeus.  Berths 38 and 105 Southampton Docks still echo to me with vivid scenes from her arrival and departure days - mountains of baggage, anxious passengers no doubt wondering what lay ahead Down Under, delayed arrivals and record breaking turn-rounds; the day the entire Greek Hotel staff, Master and senior officers were replaced by Italians who were simply overwhelmed by having to cope with an embarkation of 2200 passengers; the fire in the Pacific and dealing with the passengers airlifted from Suva to Gatwick; a famous (for the crew!) Northbound voyage with over 1000 nubile, single Australian and New Zealand young ladies on board.......and of course the last departure in November 1977.

   I am not sure whether you had the opportunity of interviewing Demetri Kaparis whilst preparing your book so I am not sure whether to 'complete' the Chandris part of the story you were aware of the following: if yes, please forgive me.  Anthony Chandris and he made a long and serious study of the United States for possible acquisition for the Australia Run with a capacity of 4,500 berths.... The talks with US Lines and the US Maritime Commission foundered however on amongst other things her US troopship status.
Furthermore the removal of the forward funnel was the initial stage in Mr. Kowaris' ambitious plan to 'modernize' the ship by building on a streamlined superstructure above the wheelhouse, but in view of the uncertainty of her future this was never authorized.  I remember seeing a drawing of the proposed new silhouette which I thought most attractive despite radically altering the original look of the ship.

Thank you again for helping me relive many memories.

Yours sincerely

Michael Yannaghas. April 2004                        Back