DELPHIN

Built 1975 as passenger vehicle ferry BYELORUSSIYA, converted 1986, renamed Kazakhstan 11, 1993, present name and owners 1996, Dolphin Maritine Ltd, 16,214grt,  Leaving Leith 26th August 2006

DELPHIN at Forth Rail Bridge

31st August 2007

DELPHIN RENAISSANCE

30,277 grt Renaissance Cruises 777 passengers.

Built 2000 as R-SEVEN, Cruiseinvest, renamed 2004. See 'Notes' for currnt name.

28th May 2006

Delphin Voyager (A)

21,884 gt, FIRST CRUISE ONE CORP,  1990, built as Orient Venus, Japanese Cruise Line: renamed 2000, Cruise One; 2007, Delphin Voyager.

Leith 24th August 2007

Delphin Voyager (B)

Delphin Voyager (Funnel Detail)

DEUTSCHLAND

22,496 grt,  Deilmann Reederei, 1998, 600 passengers

Leith

Deutschland (B)

5th September 2007

Deutschland (C)

5th September 2007

DIAMOND PRINCESS ~ Vancouver

July 2007

DIAMOND PRINCESS ~ Skagway

July 2007

DIAMOND PRINCESS ~ Queen Charlotte Sound

115,875 grt, Princess Cruises, 3,100 passengers, 2003

July 2007

DISCOVERY

20,216 grt, DISCOVERY WORLD CRUISES, 600 passengers

Built 1971 as Island Venture, Norwegian Cruiseships A/S, renamed 1972 Island Princess, Fearnley & Eger, Oslo, 1974 bought by P&O, same name, 1999 renamed Hyundai Pungak, Hyundai Merchant, 2001 bought by present owners renamed Platinum, renamed 2002.

DISCOVERY (Leith)

12th July 2008

DOULOS

Leith, July 2004

Constructed in 1914, the MV DOULOS is the world's oldest active ocean going passenger ship. During her lengthy career, she has sailed under four distinct names: MEDINA, ROMA, FRANCA C and DOULOS. The ship has been utilised for four very different purposes:

i) as Medina was described as one of the most modern and largest steamship operating on the Atlantic coast (of America) freighting goods, commissioned into service by the US Coast Guard during WW2;

ii) Acquired 1948 by the Panamanian company, Naviera San Miguel SA, she was renamed the ROMA (1949) and converted into a passenger ship with cabins for 287 people and dormitories for another 694 people. As 1950 was the Roman Catholic Holy Year, the ship was used to transport pilgrims to Rome and afterwards carried emigrants to Australia.

i)                     iii) In 1952 she was sold to Giamcomofu Andrea (Lines Costa) and renamed Franca C.  At first sailing between Italy and Argentina she transported both emigrants and first, third and tourist class passengers, with a capacity of over 900.  Remodelled 1959 as a first class luxury liner she pioneered the cruise trade out of Miami.  Later visiting the Mediterranean and Black Sea.

iv) 1970 bought by Gute Bücher für Alle e.V. (Good Books for All) and named Dolous taking up her present role: 

'The MV DOULOS visits port cities throughout the world, supplying vital literature resources, encouraging inter-cultural understanding, training young people for more effective life and service, promoting greater global awareness, providing practical aid and sharing a message of hope in God wherever there is opportunity.

It has been announced that she will be replaced in this role at the end of the current season (Summer 2008)

EURODAM (A)

Holland America, First Cruise July 2008

EURODAM at Forth Rail Bridge

12th July 2008

EUROPA

28,473 grt HAPAG-LLOYD CRUISES, 1999, 450 passengers

Off Rosyth, 2005

EUROPA  (B)

Leith, 2006

EXPLORER

 2,398gt, Built 1969.  GAP Shipping Co Ltd, (Nov 2004), ex Linbald Explorer 1969 -85), Society Explorer (1985 – 1992). 

'One of the best known expedition cruise ships in the world, the MV Explorer has a history dating back to the early 1970's when under the wing of Lindbald Travel she was the first custom-built expedition ship. Ownership has changed over the years but all her owners have maintained her to a very high standard. She is a small ship that has sailed to every corner of the world, making many nautical 'firsts', including the first transit by a cruise vessel of the infamous North West Passage, and the first visit to the Russian Far East.'

Leith ~ 17th May 2007

EXPLORER II

photograph by Graeme Simpson

This is an interesting shot as it shows in in transition from Saga Pearl to Explorer II

see Saga Pearl for details

FUNCHAL

9,563 grt, CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL CRUISES, 1961, 442 passengers

14th June 2008. These replaces the earlier one from Dundee

FUNCHAL

9,563 grt, CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL CRUISES, 1961, 442 passengers

14th June 2008.

GOLDEN PRINCESS (A)

108,865 grt, PRINCESS CRUISES, 1998, 3,100 passengers

Hound Point, Firth of Forth, 2006

GOLDEN PRINCESS ~ Juneau

July 2007

GOLDEN PRINCESS ~ Skagway

July 2007

GRAND PRINCESS

108,806 grt, PRINCESS CRUISES, 1998, 3,100 passengers

Hound Point, Firth of Forth, July 2007

GRAND PRINCESS and Forth Bridge