"GUGLIELMO MARCONI" sailing as the cruise ship "COSTA RIVIERA"

MARCONI sailing as the "COSTA RIVIERA", after a complete rebuilt she was back at sea in 1984 after three years laid-up, her superstructure was greatly modified, the original funnel was kept until the very end of the ship in 2002 but a new larger funnel version was added and completely covered the original one.

"GUGLIELMO MARCONI" launched fifty years ago

Our ship, the star of this Blog was launched in 1961, photo above, and came into service in November of 1963, so this year marks 50 years since this unforgettable Liner was born, a very special thank you to Lloyd Triestino her owners, her designers and to her ship builders to have given life to the ship that marked my life like no other, I still clearly remember the visits I have paid to her engine room back in 1976 when I sailed on her, she had four turbines that propelled her to a cruising speed of 24 knots, during sea trials she reached 27.1, the fastest Italian Liner together with her sister, GALILEO GALILEI on the Australian service

"GUGLIELMO MARCONI" bought by COSTA CRUISES

After a very short period with I.C.I. both ships were sold in November of 1983, we've seen on the previous post, the GALILEO GALILEI to CHANDRIS was the first and then MARCONI was purchased by COSTA, she would be renamed COSTA RIVIERA. The ship went for a complete rebuilt that completely transformed her profile, unfortunately she was no longer the beautiful sleek MARCONI that we have known for the past 20 years, but of course she was back where she belonged, cruising. The ship is seen here still laid-up at Genova but already owned by COSTA, her funnel changing colours and a video dated from 1997 showing the ship arriving Savona.