ms Sunward

8,666 tons; length 457 ft., width 68 ft., draft 17 ft., 20 knots; 212 cabins; 558 passengers; diesel, twin screw; built 1966, scrapped 2004

Go to ms Sunward brochure

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In 1966, Ted Arison found himself with no ship but with reservations for future cruises on the Nili. He read a story in Travel Weekly about a Norwegian shipping tycoon, Knut Kloster, whose sleek new cruise ferry could not operate the route it was built for between the UK and Spain due to the aforementioned political dispute. Arison contacted Kloster and an agreement was reached for Sunward to come to Miami and for Arison Shipping Company to handle sales and reservations. Sunward departed on its first cruise from Miami to Nassau on December 19, 1966.

It was slightly larger and better suited as a cruise ship than the Bilu or Nili. It was an instant success in an industry of otherwise converted ocean liners and old repurposed coastal steamers.

Sunward had six passenger decks. Public areas included a unique Sky Lounge at the top, the Main Lounge, Blue Moon Night Club, Jupiter and Pollux Restaurants, Spanish Garden Cafe and swimming pool. Cabins were on A and B-Decks including 8 suites, 4 deluxe staterooms, 73 outside cabins with two lower beds (plus two folding upper berths) and 119 inside and 8 outside upper/lower berth cabins for two. All passenger cabins had private bathrooms. Additionally, there was space for 170 cars below on the garage deck which was not used.

Arison's formula was working. Sunward sales skyrocketed, business boomed and Kloster ordered additional new, larger ships. Kloster and Arison formed Norwegian Caribbean Lines (NCL), which was later renamed Norwegian Cruise Line. In 1973, having been outclassed by the newbuildings, Sunward was sold as the car ferry Ile de Beaute.

Later known as Saudi Moon I, Ocean Spirit, Scandinavian Song, Santiago de Cuba and The Empress, it was finally broken up in Bangladesh.

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