Southern Cross
Ship Number
1498
Vessel Type
Passenger Ship
Built
Belfast
Launch Date
August 17, 1954
Launched By
HM The Queen (first merchant ship launched by a reigning British Monarch)
Delivered
February 28, 1955
Owner
Shaw Savill & Albion Co.
Weight
20204 grt
BP Length
560 feet
Breadth
78 feet
No. of Screws
Twin
Speed (approx)
20.5 knots
Propulsion
Steam, Double Reduction (D.R.) geared turbines by builder, 20,000 SHP
Official No.
186456
Registered
Southampton
Fate
Scrapped
Southern Cross

Sister ship: Northern Star (scrapped in 1975)
 
Originally built for Shaw Savill & Albion, in 1980 sold to Western Cruise Line and renamed Calypso,  later that year she was renamed Azure Seas.
 
In 1991she was sold to Premier Cruises and renamed Oceanbreeze.
 
One of the most significant passenger ships of the second halve of the 20th century. She was revolutionary in her Single-class passenger-only layout with engines aft, which allowed maximum use of the available hull space for passenger accommodation. Whilst this concept is commonplace today it generated a considerable amount of comment in 1955.
 
From 2001 to 2003 she operated for Imperial Majesty Cruises as the Imperial Majesty.
 
Sold to unknown Indian breakers, 14 October 2003, looking outwardly little changed from her original and unique shape.