"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.

"GALILEO GALILEI" evolutionary profile

Beautiful postcard of the "GALILEO GALILEI" from a Lloyd Triestino's image published later on a FINMARE magazine showing GALILEO's sleek profile but also evolutionary lines with a futuristic mast and funnel.

"GALILEO GALILEI" the first of the sisters to be bought

"GALILEO GALILEI" was bought in 1983 by CHANDRIS she did a few cruises with her original form but in 1984 before starting cruising in the Caribbean additional passenger accommodation was added to her forward decks, changing the ship's elegant profile for the worse, but she was destined to become an historic ship for CHANDRIS and the new company to be formed seven years later, the most impressive CELEBRITY CRUISES. Also before starting cruising in the Caribbean, her name was shortened to just "GALILEO". Top photo Copyright Luis Miguel Correia

"GALILEO GALILEI" at Messina in 1973 with QUEEN FREDERICA from CHANDRIS a sign of things to come for the Italian Liner

"GALILEO GALILEI" is seen here at Messina in 1973, behind her is the 1927 built S.S. MOLOLO here as the "QUEEN FREDERICA" operated by CHANDRIS, a sign of things to come, ten years later "GALILEO GALILEI" was bought by CHANDRIS, in the meantime QUEEN FREDERICA had long gone by then, the ship was scrapped in 1977 after being withdrawn from service in 1973.

"MARCONI" and "GALILEO" laid-up once again at Genova

The I.C.I. Cruising experience for the Australian Twin sisters was short lived, their performance failed to impress, even the famous Italian cuisine so acclaimed on board Italian Liners and particulary on these two ships during their World Voyages failed during the I.C.I. months that the ships were in service, by the end of 1979 they were once again both laid-up with less than a year in service, this would be a long period of hibernation, both Liners now turned into cruise ships were only bought in 1983, the "GALILEO" by CHANDRIS and the "MARCONI" by COSTA. The photo here included shows the ships, brand new, during their Lloyd Triestino years at Genova.

"MARCONI's" beautiful Bow at Barcelona

"GUGLIELMO MARCONI" at her berth in Barcelona, photo taken during my voyage in May of 1976, she was at the time almost 13 years old she was by now sailing for ITALIA LINE on the Europe to River Plate service together with another Italian Legend, the beautiful CRISTOFORO COLOMBO. This photo has just been updated after a new lease of life given by Tim Noble which I really appreciate, thank you Tim

"MARCONI" at Melbourne during one of her final voyages for Lloyd Triestino

Another beautiful photo sent by John Bone showing the "GUGLIELMO MARCONI" at Melbourne in 1975 during one of her last visits, she was withdrawn from the Australian Regular Transatlantic service by the end of 1975, the ship would join CRISTOFORO COLOMBO on the Europe/River Plate route for the parent company ITALIA NAVIGAZIONE in January of 1976. Also seen here in port is the P & O ARCADIA. Copyright photo John Bone

"GUGLIELMO MARCONI" by Melbourne Photographers John Bone

"MARCONI" is seen here at Papeete and Melbourne in 1975, she was nearing the end of her Australian regular Liner voyages operated by Lloyd Triestino. Photos kindly sent by John Bone from Melbourne, copyright photos. Thank you John Bone for your co-operation on this Blog.

"GALILEO GALILEI" at Wellington in 1967

When I started this Blog in August last year, the aim was to bring back to life "GUGLIELMO MARCONI" and pay tribute to this remarkable ship. She and her sister were two of the finest Italian Liners ever built, the largest of their owners, Lloyd Triestino and two of the best known and successful liners of the Australian Immigrant trade, when they came into service, they were innovative in their conception and design, today eight months later this Blog is followed by the people that it was intended to, a Maritime Museum from Italy showed interest on some of the posts, Italian fans of the ship and even Australian passengers showed interest on the Blog. Just last week Tim Noble from Melbourne, keen follower of the Blog volunteered to send me some photos of the "MARCONI" and her twin sister, the "GALILEO GALILEI" during their down under distinguished carreers. The photo included in this "post" is a classic example of that, "GALILEO" is seen here at Wellington in 1967 an outstanding photo taken by Tim's father in 1967, sailing on the ship as a passenger. A big thank you to Tim Noble and all the followers of this Blog, I will endeavour to carry on this work and will do everything  to turn the Blog appealing, please keep it dynamic from your end with all your comments. Once again thank you to Tim Noble, Lindsey Rex and John Bone Melbourne photographers.

"MARCONI" and "GALILEO GALILEI" cruising for I.C.I.

The first Cruising Experience for the sisters "MARCONI" top photo and "GALILEO GALILEI" was short lived both ships were only in service for about ten months, their service failed to impress both in North America, "MARCONI" and in Europe the "GALILEO", by the end of 1979 both ships returned to Genova and were once again laid-up. All photos copyright Luis Miguel Correia