With the downturn in passengers on transatlantic crossings, Caronia was put to better use by extending her programme
of major cruises. So, at the end of this month came the departure of her first Summer Mediterranean Cruise. This was
the only Mediterranean Cruise to both start and end at New York. The others always ended at Southampton.
However, like the Autumn Mediterranean Cruise, instituted in 1954, this cruise was often subjected to affects of local
political tensions as far as destinations were concerned. Nevertheless, like the North Cape Cruise, it ran as an annual
event unbroken until the last.
On this cruise, the only port called at on the North African continent was Tangier. Instead, the cruise would
stretch around Europe as far as Venice, then follow a similar end pattern to the Spring Cruise.
The pattern of Summer Cruise ports visited differed slightly from both the Spring and Autumn Cruises. The extended
duration of the latter would combine these calls and eventually venture into the Black Sea. This cruise also brought a
different audience who were not as attracted by calls to Egypt and the Holy Land.
Caronia being assisted to her berth at Pier 92 in 1961.
Tugs are the Eugene F Moran (left) and William J Tracy
[Photo: News Agency - Peter Stevens Collection]
