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Coordinates: 4°37′1″N 99°54′6″E / 4.61694°N 99.90167°E / 4.61694; 99.90167[1]
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{{Short description|Ocean liner}}
{{coord|4|37|1|N|99|54|6|E|region:XP_type:event|notes=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?17520|title=SS Sun Vista 1999|publisher=Wreck Site|accessdate=28 January 2012}}</ref>|display=title}}
{{coord|4|37|1|N|99|54|6|E|region:XP_type:event|notes=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrecksite.eu/wreck.aspx?17520|title=SS Sun Vista 1999|publisher=Wreck Site|accessdate=28 January 2012}}</ref>|display=title}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:Galileo Galilei - Gugliemo Marconi.jpg|300px]]
| Ship image = Liner Galileo Galilei at overseas Term Circular Quay Sydney (cropped).jpg
|Ship caption=A postcard of SS Galileo Galilei
| Ship caption = SS ''Galileo Galilei'' in [[Sydney]]
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
| Hide header =
|Ship name=*1963-1984: ''Galileo Galilei''
| Ship name = *1963–1984: ''Galileo Galilei''
*1984-1990: ''Galileo''
*1984–1990: ''Galileo''
*1990-1997: ''Meridian''
*1990–1997: ''Meridian''
*1997-1999: ''Sun Vista''
*1997–1999: ''Sun Vista''
|Ship owner=*1963-1979: [[Lloyd Triestino]]
| Ship owner = *1963–1979: [[Lloyd Triestino]]
*1979-1983: [[Italia Crociere]]
*1979–1983: [[Italia Crociere]]
*1983-1990: [[Chandris Cruises]]
*1983–1990: [[Chandris Cruises]]
*1990-1997: [[Celebrity Cruises]]
*1990–1997: [[Celebrity Cruises]]
*1997-1999: [[Sun Cruises]]
*1997–1999: [[Sun Cruises]]
|Ship operator=*1983-1977: Lloyd Triestino
| Ship operator = *1983–1977: Lloyd Triestino
*1979: Italia Crociere
*1979: Italia Crociere
*1984-1989: [[Chandris Fantasy Cruises]]
*1984–1989: [[Chandris Fantasy Cruises]]
*1990-1997: Celebrity Cruises
*1990–1997: Celebrity Cruises
*1997-1999: Sun Cruises
*1997–1999: Sun Cruises
|Ship ordered=1960<ref name=Goossens>{{cite web |url=http://www.ssmaritime.com/galileo.htm |title=Lloyd Triestino's ''Galileo Galilei'' & ''Guglielmo Marconi'' |accessdate=1 December 2008 |last=Goossens |first=Reuben |work=ssMaritime }}</ref>
| Ship ordered = 1960<ref name=Goossens>{{cite web |url=http://www.ssmaritime.com/galileo.htm |title=Lloyd Triestino's ''Galileo Galilei'' & ''Guglielmo Marconi'' |accessdate=1 December 2008 |last=Goossens |first=Reuben |work=ssMaritime }}</ref>
|Ship builder=[[Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico]], [[Monfalcone]], Italy
| Ship builder = [[Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico]], [[Monfalcone]], Italy
|Ship cost=
| Ship cost =
|Ship yard number=1982<ref name="FoF">{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/galileo_galilei_1963.htm |title=T/S ''Galileo Galilei'' (1963) |accessdate=10 December 2007 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish}}</ref>
| Ship yard number = 1982<ref name="FoF">{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/galileo_galilei_1963.htm |title=T/S ''Galileo Galilei'' (1963) |accessdate=10 December 2007 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish}}</ref>
|Ship way number=
| Ship way number =
|Ship laid down=
| Ship laid down =
|Ship launched=2 July 1961<ref name="FoF" />
| Ship launched = 2 July 1961<ref name="FoF"/>
|Ship completed=
| Ship completed =
|Ship christened=
| Ship christened =
|Ship acquired=March 1963<ref name="FoF" />
| Ship acquired = March 1963<ref name="FoF"/>
|Ship maiden voyage=23 March 1963<ref name="FoF" />
| Ship maiden voyage = 23 March 1963<ref name="FoF"/>
|Ship in service=23 March 1963<ref name="FoF" />
| Ship in service = 23 March 1963<ref name="FoF"/>
|Ship out of service=20 May 1999<ref name="FoF" />
| Ship out of service = 20 May 1999<ref name="FoF"/>
|Ship registry=*1963-1983: [[Genoa]], {{flag|Italy|civil}}
| Ship registry = *1963–1983: [[Genoa]], {{flag|Italy|civil}}
*1983-1990: [[Panama City]], {{flag|Panama|civil}}
*1983–1990: [[Panama City]], {{flag|Panama|civil}}
*1990-1999: [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}<ref name="FoF" />
*1990–1999: [[Nassau, Bahamas|Nassau]], {{flag|Bahamas|civil}}<ref name="FoF"/>
| Ship identification = *{{IMO Number|5411254}}
|Ship fate=Sunk 21 May 1999<ref name="FoF" />
| Ship fate = Caught fire and sank in the Straits of Malacca on 21 May 1999<ref name="FoF"/>
|Ship status=
|Ship notes=Sister ship to [[SS Guglielmo Marconi|SS ''Guglielmo Marconi'']]
| Ship notes = Sister ship to [[SS Guglielmo Marconi|SS ''Guglielmo Marconi'']]
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
| Hide header =
|Header caption=(as built)<ref name="FoF" />
| Header caption = (as built)<ref name="FoF"/>
|Ship class=
| Ship class =
|Ship tonnage=*{{GRT|27,888}}
| Ship tonnage = *{{GRT|27,888}}
*{{DWT|9,486}}
*{{DWT|9,486}}
|Ship displacement=
| Ship displacement =
|Ship length={{convert|213.65|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship length = {{cvt|213.65|m|ftin}}
|Ship beam={{convert|28.71|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship beam = {{cvt|28.71|m|ftin}}
|Ship height=
| Ship height =
|Ship draught={{convert|8.60|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draught = {{cvt|8.60|m|ftin}}
|Ship depth=
| Ship depth =
|Ship decks=
| Ship decks =
|Ship deck clearance=
| Ship deck clearance =
|Ship ice class=
| Ship ice class =
|Ship power=*Four [[De Laval-San Andrea]] [[steam turbine]]s
| Ship power = *Four [[De Laval-San Andrea]] [[steam turbine]]s
*32,824{{nbsp}}kW (combined)
*32,824{{nbsp}}kW (combined)
|Ship propulsion=Twin propellers<ref name="MM">{{cite web |url=http://www.maritimematters.com/sun-vista.html |title=''Sun Vista'' (ex-''Galileo Galilei, Galileo, Meridian'') |accessdate=28 January 2012 |last=Knego |first=Peter |work=[[Maritime Matters]]|archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071216084301/http://www.maritimematters.com/sun-vista.html|archivedate = 16 December 2007}}</ref>
| Ship propulsion = Twin propellers<ref name="MM">{{cite web |url=http://www.maritimematters.com/sun-vista.html |title=''Sun Vista'' (ex-''Galileo Galilei, Galileo, Meridian'') |accessdate=28 January 2012 |last=Knego |first=Peter |work=Maritime Matters|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071216084301/http://www.maritimematters.com/sun-vista.html|archivedate = 16 December 2007}}</ref>
|Ship speed={{convert|24|kn}} (service)
| Ship speed = {{convert|24|kn}} (service)
|Ship capacity=*1,750 passengers
| Ship capacity = *1,750 passengers
*(156 first class, 1,594 tourist class)<ref name="MM" />
*(156 first class, 1,594 tourist class)<ref name="MM"/>
|Ship crew=
| Ship crew =
|Ship notes=
| Ship notes =
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
| Hide header =
|Header caption=(following 1984 refit)
| Header caption = (following 1984 refit)
|Ship class=
| Ship class =
|Ship tonnage=
| Ship tonnage =
|Ship displacement=
| Ship displacement =
|Ship length=
| Ship length =
|Ship beam=
| Ship beam =
|Ship height=
| Ship height =
|Ship draught=
| Ship draught =
|Ship depth=
| Ship depth =
|Ship decks=
| Ship decks =
|Ship deck clearance=
| Ship deck clearance =
|Ship ice class=
| Ship ice class =
|Ship power=
| Ship power =
|Ship propulsion=
| Ship propulsion =
|Ship speed=
| Ship speed =
|Ship capacity=1,262 passengers<ref name="MM" />
| Ship capacity = 1,262 passengers<ref name="MM"/>
|Ship crew=
| Ship crew =
|Ship notes=Otherwise the same as built
| Ship notes = Otherwise the same as built
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
| Hide header =
|Header caption=(following 1990 refit)
| Header caption = (following 1990 refit)
|Ship class=
| Ship class =
|Ship tonnage={{GRT|30,440}}<ref name="FoF" />
| Ship tonnage = {{GRT|30,440}}<ref name="FoF"/>
|Ship displacement=
| Ship displacement =
|Ship length=
| Ship length =
|Ship beam=
| Ship beam =
|Ship height=
| Ship height =
|Ship draught=
| Ship draught =
|Ship depth=
| Ship depth =
|Ship decks=
| Ship decks =
|Ship deck clearance=
| Ship deck clearance =
|Ship ice class=
| Ship ice class =
|Ship power=
| Ship power =
|Ship propulsion=
| Ship propulsion =
|Ship speed=
| Ship speed =
|Ship capacity=1,428 passengers<ref name="MM" />
| Ship capacity = 1,428 passengers<ref name="MM"/>
|Ship crew=
| Ship crew =
|Ship notes=Otherwise the same as built
| Ship notes = Otherwise the same as built
}}
}}
|}
|}
'''SS ''Galileo Galilei''''' was an [[ocean liner]] built in 1963 by [[Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico]], [[Monfalcone]], Italy for [[Lloyd Triestino]]'s Italy—Australia service. In 1979, she was converted to a [[cruise ship]], and subsequently sailed under the names '''''Galileo''''' and '''''Meridian'''''. She sank in the [[Strait of Malacca]] in 1999 as the '''''Sun Vista'''''.
'''SS ''Galileo Galilei''''' was an [[ocean liner]] built in 1963 by [[Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico]], [[Monfalcone]], Italy for [[Lloyd Triestino]]'s Italy–Australia service. In 1979, she was converted to a [[cruise ship]], and subsequently sailed under the names '''''Galileo''''' and '''''Meridian'''''. She sank in the [[Strait of Malacca]] in 1999 as the '''''Sun Vista'''''.


== History ==
== History ==
Ordered by [[Lloyd Triestino]] in 1960,<ref name=Goossens /> ''Galileo Galilei'' was built in Italy for the Australian [[Immigration|immigrant]] route. ''Galileo Galilei'' was launched on 2 July 1961. On 23 March 1963, the ship entered service for Lloyd Triestino, doing [[Mediterranean]] cruises before departing on its official maiden voyage from [[Genoa]], Italy to Sydney, Australia on 22 April 1963. In November of the same year, she was joined on the route by her sister ship [[SS Guglielmo Marconi|SS ''Guglielmo Marconi'']]. Originally the ships traveled to Australia via the eastern route, passing through [[Suez Canal]] in both directions, but in the later years the return trip to Europe was via the [[Panama Canal]]. They also routed to Australia via the Cape of Good Hope in the late 1960s and early 1970s.<ref name="MM" />
Ordered by [[Lloyd Triestino]] in 1960,<ref name=Goossens/> ''Galileo Galilei'' was built in Italy for the Australian [[Immigration to Australia|immigrant]] route. ''Galileo Galilei'' was launched on 2 July 1961. On 23 March 1963, the ship entered service for Lloyd Triestino, doing [[Mediterranean]] cruises before departing on its official maiden voyage from [[Genoa]], Italy to [[Sydney]], Australia on 22 April 1963. In November of the same year, she was joined on the route by her sister ship [[SS Guglielmo Marconi|SS ''Guglielmo Marconi'']]. Originally the ships traveled to Australia via the eastern route, passing through [[Suez Canal]] in both directions, but in the later years the return trip to Europe was via the [[Panama Canal]]. They also routed to Australia via the Cape of Good Hope in the late 1960s and early 1970s.<ref name="MM"/>


The ships were very successful until the [[1973 oil crisis]], which, combined with the increasing prevalence of [[airliner]]s, contributed to the decline of ocean liners.<ref name="MM" /> ''Galileo Galilei'' returned to Genoa and repaired after she stuck a reef off coast of West Africa on 13 January 1975.<ref name=Goossens /> ''Galileo Galilei'' continued to operate on the Italy–Australia run until April 1977, at which point she was withdrawn from service and laid up. Her lay-up was short, and in October 1977 she returned to her builders for a lengthy reconstruction into a cruise ship.<ref name="MM" /> On 24 March 1979 the ''Galileo Galilei'' finally started cruise service with [[Italia Crociere]] (owned by [[Italia Navigazione]], who also owned Lloyd Triestino).<ref name="FoF" /> However, already in September of the same year the Galileo Galilei was withdrawn from service and laid up again.<ref name="MM" />
The ships were very successful until the [[1973 oil crisis]], which, combined with the increasing prevalence of [[airliner]]s, contributed to the decline of ocean liners.<ref name="MM"/> ''Galileo Galilei'' returned to Genoa and repaired after she struck a reef off the coast of West Africa on 13 January 1975.<ref name=Goossens/> ''Galileo Galilei'' continued to operate on the Italy–Australia run until April 1977, at which point she was withdrawn from service and laid up. Her lay-up was short, and in October 1977 she returned to her builders for a lengthy reconstruction into a cruise ship.<ref name="MM"/> On 24 March 1979 the ''Galileo Galilei'' finally started cruise service with [[Italia Crociere]] (owned by [[Italia Navigazione]], who also owned Lloyd Triestino).<ref name="FoF"/> However, already in September of the same year the ''Galileo Galilei'' was withdrawn from service and laid up again.<ref name="MM"/>


[[File:"Galileo" - Bremerhaven, 1989.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Galileo'' at [[Lloyd Werft]], [[Bremerhaven]], [[Germany]] During her refit into the ''Meridian''.]]
[[File:"Galileo" - Bremerhaven, 1989.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Galileo'' at [[Lloyd Werft]], [[Bremerhaven]], [[Germany]] during her refit into the ''Meridian'']]
In 1983, the vessel was purchased by [[Chandris Group]]. The ship was again rebuilt, this time with additional cabins on her forward deck,<ref name="MM" /> and her name shortened to ''Galileo''.<ref name="FoF" /> In 1984 the Galileo began cruising on the [[Caribbean]] under Chandris' [[Fantasy Cruises]] brand. After the collapse of [[Home Lines]] in 1988 Chandris' executives decided to create a new upmarket brand to take over the market segment occupied by Home Lines. With this in mind the Galileo sent to a multimillion-dollar refit at [[Lloyd Werft]], [[Bremerhaven]], Germany between October 1989 and February 1990. Most of her interiors were rebuilt, and externally her rear superstructure enlarged. On 1 March 1990 she emerged as the stylish SS ''Meridian'', the first ship of the new [[Celebrity Cruises]] brand, cruising on the Caribbean and the [[Boston]]/New York–[[Bermuda]] service.<ref name="MM" />
In 1983, the vessel was purchased by [[Chandris Group]]. The ship was again rebuilt, this time with additional cabins on her forward deck,<ref name="MM"/> and her name shortened to ''Galileo''.<ref name="FoF"/> In 1984 the Galileo began cruising on the [[Caribbean]] under [[Chandris Line|Chandris Fantasy Cruises]] brand. After the collapse of [[Home Lines]] in 1988 Chandris's executives decided to create a new upmarket brand to take over the market segment occupied by Home Lines. With this in mind the ''Galileo'' underwent a multimillion-dollar refit at [[Lloyd Werft]], [[Bremerhaven]], Germany between October 1989 and February 1990. Most of her interiors were rebuilt, and externally her rear superstructure enlarged. On 1 March 1990 she emerged as the stylish SS ''Meridian'', the first ship of the new [[Celebrity Cruises]] brand, cruising on the Caribbean and the [[Boston]]/[[New York City|New York]]–[[Bermuda]] service.<ref name="MM"/>


[[File:"Meridian" - San Blas Islands, 1993.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Meridian'' at the San Blas Islands.]]
[[File:"Meridian" - San Blas Islands, 1993.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''Meridian'' at the [[San Blas Islands]]]]

In 1997, following [[Royal Caribbean International]]'s acquisition of Celebrity Cruises, the ship was sold to [[Sun Cruises]], which operated her as SS ''Sun Vista''. On 20 May 1999, the vessel suffered an engine room fire, which cut all power and caused her to sink on 21 May 1999 at 0121 hrs. All 1,090 passengers and crew were safely evacuated.<ref name="MM" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9905/21/malaysia.ship.01/ |title=More than 1,000 saved after luxury liner sinks near Malaysia |accessdate=28 January 2012 |date=21 May 1999 |publisher=CNN |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20040321051220/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9905/21/malaysia.ship.01/ |archivedate = 21 March 2004}}</ref>
In 1997, following [[Royal Caribbean International]]'s acquisition of Celebrity Cruises, the ship was sold to [[Sun Cruises]], which operated her as SS ''Sun Vista''. On 20 May 1999, the vessel suffered an engine room fire, which cut all power and caused her to sink in the [[Strait of Malacca]] on 21 May 1999 at 0121 hrs. All 1,090 passengers and crew were safely evacuated.<ref name="MM" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9905/21/malaysia.ship.01/ |title=More than 1,000 saved after luxury liner sinks near Malaysia |accessdate=28 January 2012 |date=21 May 1999 |publisher=CNN |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20040321051220/http://www.cnn.com/WORLD/asiapcf/9905/21/malaysia.ship.01/ |archivedate = 21 March 2004}}</ref>
[[File:SS Meridian Bermuda.jpg|left|thumb|SS ''Meridian'' in [[Bermuda]]]]

==Media==
In 1999, ''Sun Vista'' was featured in the Indian [[Hindi-language]] [[romantic drama film]] [[Mann (film)|''Mann'']].


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Galileo Galilei (ship, 1963)|''Galileo Galilei'' (ship, 1963)}}
*{{Commons category-inline|IMO 5411254}}
*[http://drmike.smugmug.com/gallery/1268825#P-1-15 ''Sun Vista'' wreck photos]
*[http://maritimematters.com/2010/02/a-cruise-to-remember-the-sinking-of-the-sun-vista/ The sinking of the ''Sun Vista'']
*[http://maritimematters.com/2010/02/a-cruise-to-remember-the-sinking-of-the-sun-vista/ The sinking of the Sun Vista]
*[http://SSMeridian.com/ Fan and Crew Tribute website]


{{Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico}}
{{Celebrity Ships}}
{{Celebrity Ships}}
{{1999 shipwrecks}}
{{1999 shipwrecks}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Galileo Galilei}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Galileo Galilei}}
[[Category:1961 ships]]
[[Category:1961 ships]]
⚫
[[Category:Cruise ships]]
[[Category:Cruise ships of Greece]]
[[Category:Cruise ships of Greece]]
[[Category:Cruise ships of Italy]]
[[Category:Cruise ships of Italy]]
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[[Category:Ocean liners]]
[[Category:Ocean liners]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of Italy]]
[[Category:Passenger ships of Italy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Italy]]
[[Category:Ships built in Monfalcone]]
[[Category:Ships of Celebrity Cruises]]
[[Category:Ships of Celebrity Cruises]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks in the Strait of Malacca]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks in the Strait of Malacca]]
[[Category:Ships built by Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico]]
[[Category:Ships built by Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico]]
[[Category:Ships sunk with no fatalities]]
[[Category:Ships sunk with no fatalities]]
⚫
[[Category:Sunken cruise ships]]

Latest revision as of 20:26, 5 December 2024

4°37′1″N 99°54′6″E / 4.61694°N 99.90167°E / 4.61694; 99.90167[1]

SS Galileo Galilei in Sydney
History
Name
  • 1963–1984: Galileo Galilei
  • 1984–1990: Galileo
  • 1990–1997: Meridian
  • 1997–1999: Sun Vista
Owner
Operator
  • 1983–1977: Lloyd Triestino
  • 1979: Italia Crociere
  • 1984–1989: Chandris Fantasy Cruises
  • 1990–1997: Celebrity Cruises
  • 1997–1999: Sun Cruises
Port of registry
Ordered1960[2]
BuilderCantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico, Monfalcone, Italy
Yard number1982[3]
Launched2 July 1961[3]
AcquiredMarch 1963[3]
Maiden voyage23 March 1963[3]
In service23 March 1963[3]
Out of service20 May 1999[3]
IdentificationIMO number: 5411254
FateCaught fire and sank in the Straits of Malacca on 21 May 1999[3]
NotesSister ship to SS Guglielmo Marconi
General characteristics (as built)[3]
Tonnage
Length213.65 m (700 ft 11 in)
Beam28.71 m (94 ft 2 in)
Draught8.60 m (28 ft 3 in)
Installed power
PropulsionTwin propellers[4]
Speed24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph) (service)
Capacity
  • 1,750 passengers
  • (156 first class, 1,594 tourist class)[4]
General characteristics (following 1984 refit)
Capacity1,262 passengers[4]
NotesOtherwise the same as built
General characteristics (following 1990 refit)
Tonnage30,440 GRT[3]
Capacity1,428 passengers[4]
NotesOtherwise the same as built

SS Galileo Galilei was an ocean liner built in 1963 by Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico, Monfalcone, Italy for Lloyd Triestino's Italy–Australia service. In 1979, she was converted to a cruise ship, and subsequently sailed under the names Galileo and Meridian. She sank in the Strait of Malacca in 1999 as the Sun Vista.

History

[edit]

Ordered by Lloyd Triestino in 1960,[2] Galileo Galilei was built in Italy for the Australian immigrant route. Galileo Galilei was launched on 2 July 1961. On 23 March 1963, the ship entered service for Lloyd Triestino, doing Mediterranean cruises before departing on its official maiden voyage from Genoa, Italy to Sydney, Australia on 22 April 1963. In November of the same year, she was joined on the route by her sister ship SS Guglielmo Marconi. Originally the ships traveled to Australia via the eastern route, passing through Suez Canal in both directions, but in the later years the return trip to Europe was via the Panama Canal. They also routed to Australia via the Cape of Good Hope in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[4]

The ships were very successful until the 1973 oil crisis, which, combined with the increasing prevalence of airliners, contributed to the decline of ocean liners.[4] Galileo Galilei returned to Genoa and repaired after she struck a reef off the coast of West Africa on 13 January 1975.[2] Galileo Galilei continued to operate on the Italy–Australia run until April 1977, at which point she was withdrawn from service and laid up. Her lay-up was short, and in October 1977 she returned to her builders for a lengthy reconstruction into a cruise ship.[4] On 24 March 1979 the Galileo Galilei finally started cruise service with Italia Crociere (owned by Italia Navigazione, who also owned Lloyd Triestino).[3] However, already in September of the same year the Galileo Galilei was withdrawn from service and laid up again.[4]

Galileo at Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven, Germany during her refit into the Meridian

In 1983, the vessel was purchased by Chandris Group. The ship was again rebuilt, this time with additional cabins on her forward deck,[4] and her name shortened to Galileo.[3] In 1984 the Galileo began cruising on the Caribbean under Chandris Fantasy Cruises brand. After the collapse of Home Lines in 1988 Chandris's executives decided to create a new upmarket brand to take over the market segment occupied by Home Lines. With this in mind the Galileo underwent a multimillion-dollar refit at Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven, Germany between October 1989 and February 1990. Most of her interiors were rebuilt, and externally her rear superstructure enlarged. On 1 March 1990 she emerged as the stylish SS Meridian, the first ship of the new Celebrity Cruises brand, cruising on the Caribbean and the Boston/New York–Bermuda service.[4]

Meridian at the San Blas Islands

In 1997, following Royal Caribbean International's acquisition of Celebrity Cruises, the ship was sold to Sun Cruises, which operated her as SS Sun Vista. On 20 May 1999, the vessel suffered an engine room fire, which cut all power and caused her to sink in the Strait of Malacca on 21 May 1999 at 0121 hrs. All 1,090 passengers and crew were safely evacuated.[4][5]

SS Meridian in Bermuda

Media

[edit]

In 1999, Sun Vista was featured in the Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film Mann.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "SS Sun Vista 1999". Wreck Site. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  2. ^ a b c Goossens, Reuben. "Lloyd Triestino's Galileo Galilei & Guglielmo Marconi". ssMaritime. Retrieved 1 December 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Asklander, Micke. "T/S Galileo Galilei (1963)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 10 December 2007.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Knego, Peter. "Sun Vista (ex-Galileo Galilei, Galileo, Meridian)". Maritime Matters. Archived from the original on 16 December 2007. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  5. ^ "More than 1,000 saved after luxury liner sinks near Malaysia". CNN. 21 May 1999. Archived from the original on 21 March 2004. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=SS_Galileo_Galilei&oldid=1261381654"