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ss Ariadne

Some Notable Early Cruise Ships from Miami

ss Bahama Star  mv Bilu  ms Boheme  ss Evangeline  ss Florida  mv Freeport  ss Jerusalem  tss Mardi Gras  mv Nili  ms Song of Norway  ms Starward  ms Sunward  ss Yarmouth 

6,644 tons; length 454 ft., width 58 ft., draft 19 ft., 18 knots; 164 cabins; 289 passengers; steam turbines, single screw; built 1951, scrapped 1997

ss AriadneGo to ss Ariadne brochure

ss Ariadne brochure issued August 1, 1963
Click cover for full brochure
Eastern Steamship Lines bought the Ariadne in 1960, and together with Bahama Star they were upgraded, larger replacements for the Yarmouth and Evangeline. Ariadne was certainly the finest cruise ship sailing from Miami at the time. Carrying only about 300 passengers and 200 crew, it had a club-like atmosphere, with fine service, food and relatively spacious accommodations.

There were 164 cabins, including 36 for singles and 26 triples. All accommodations had private facilities, which was a first for a Florida-based cruise ship.

ss Ariadne swimming pool

Boat Deck forward contained the Observation Lounge which overlooked the swimming pool. The Main Lounge and Veranda Cafe were forward on Promenade Deck, adjoining the Smoking Room. Midship were the Ariadne Suite and six Deluxe cabins. The cozy Club Ariadne was aft, with a lounge, bar and dance floor. The Dining Room was on A-Deck.

Cover of ss Ariadne brochure for sailings to Mexico, Haiti, Jamaica and the Bahamas Ariadne was placed in service on alternating seven-day Caribbean cruises and, at times, three and four-day Bahama cruises. Over the years the itineraries varied, but cruises normally departed from Miami or Port Everglades. Ariadne was one of the first cruise ships to call at Cozumel, Mexico.

In 1961, F. Leslie Fraser sold his Eastern Shipping Corporation to William Lovett of the Winn-Dixie supermarket chain. The "F" on his ships' funnels was replaced by "L". Fraser passed away in 1962 at the age of 57.

Ariadne remained with Eastern only until 1972, when in a deal to acquire the larger Emerald Seas, it was traded to Chandris Lines. Chandris then chartered Ariadne to Bahama Cruise Line as Freeport II for most of 1973. In 1974 it became Bon Vivant for Mediterranean and Caribbean sailings, in 1977 it was a hotel ship in Dubai and from 1978 to 1982 Chandris operated it as Ariane in European waters before going to layup in Greece. Ariane became Empress Katerina from 1989 until broken up in 1997.

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