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ATHENA FACTS
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Description
The cruise ship MS Athena is operated by Classic International Cruises. She was originally built as a trans Atlantic liner and was refurbished in 1994 as a modern cruise ship. She carries about 650 passengers in comfort with range of lounges and comfortable cabins. The 160 m long ship is a small to medium cruise ship by current world standards, and features a traditional walk around promenade deck and an attractive marbled reception area.
History
MS Athena has a long history dating back to 1948 when she was originally built as MS Stockholm sailing the North Atlantic for Swedish America Line. In 1956, Stockholm was involved in a collision with the luxury liner Andrea Doria of the Italian Line which resulted in the sinking of the Andrea Doria. A number of ships came to assist, minimising the loss of life.
Athena was bought by the East German government in 1960 and sailed as the liner Völkerfreundschaft until 1985 when she was sold to a Panama company who renamed her MS volker. From 1986 to 1993 she was used as a barracks ship in Norway and named MS Fridtjof Nansen. She was taken over by an Italian company in 1989, and went through a few more name changes: MS Italia I, MS Italia Prima and MS Valtur Prima. she was bought by Festival Cruise Line in 2002 and sailed as Caribe. In 2005 the ship was acquired by the company that now operates Classic International Cruises. The ship made the news in 2008 when she saw off a pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden.
Dining
Eating options include the Olissipo Restaurant, buffet dining in the Lotus Lounge, poolside barbeque
Entertainment
Athena is well equipped with entertainment and recreation facilities including Calypso Show lounge, Muses Nightclub, cinema, casino, shopping boutique, library, card room, fitness centre, sauna, beauty salon, outdoor swimming pool. There is also a Kids Club on selected cruises.
Cabins
Athena offers a range of accommodation options including inside cabins, outside cabins, deluxe outside cabins with balconies, junior suites and balcony suites. Most cabins are equipped with shower and en suite facilities.
Related Cruise Ships
Arion (Classic International Cruises)
Princess Danae (Classic International Cruises)
Princess Daphne (Classic International Cruises)
Ship Summary
| Operator: | Classic International Cruises | | Built by: | Götaverken, Gothenburg, Sweden | | Date Completed: | 1948 | | Gross Tonnage: | 15614 | | Length: | 160 m | | Width: | 21 m | | IMO: | 5383304 |
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