As the popularity of the North Cape Cruise grew, so new ports of call were added to the itinerary.
This month would see the maiden arrival of Caronia at Sopot, the first of only two calls, and at
Hamburg, the first of only eight visits here during her entire career. In future years, starting
in 1963, the first call to Gdynia in Poland would be made.
The Caronia at the North Cape - from 1961 Brochure
[Image: Braun Bros. Collection]
In common with other maiden arrivals, the berthing of Caronia at her pontoon on the first occasion at Hamburg
caused quite a sensation locally. This despite her being in her 12th year of Cunard service. Quite apart
from being a cruise ship, Caronia was always a perfect ambassador, helping to rebuild broken political
relations of the past.
One passenger on this cruise wrote home to say…
Two more days and we'll be in Iceland. Weather is cold and cloudy, much fog. The ship is loaded
to capacity. I am taking it easy and feeling very good but most always do on board ship. There
is so much to see and do on this ship, one can just overdo…
It appears that there may have been a malfunction of the ship's clock retarding system, as this is the first
record of the clocks being stopped, rather than retarded, at midnight.
22 July 1961
Arrive Visby 8am - Depart 7.15pm
Steam to Sopot 204 miles
Even in 1961, as is indicated on this programme , the Caronia would be met by a special train from the
dockside with Pullman facilities provided. The basic single fare was $5.36 with a $2.08 supplement payable
for the Pullman service. No equivalent de-luxe train service was provided in France.
What should also be noted is that these reservations were not made at the main Purser's Office, but at the
“A” Deck aft office, opened specially for this advance booking service.
Caronia at her Hamburg pontoon
[Photo: Anon - Peter Stevens Collection]
