Does anyone remember Odessa America Cruise Line

I am a cruise history buff and one of my most memorable cruises was on a long, now defunct line that cruised the Caribbean in the 1990's. Odessa America Line was a joint venture with a Ukraine company, and we sailed out of Tampa on one of their ships, the Gruziya some time in the early 1990's. I remember being hesitant in regard to the condition of the ship, etc. but once at the port found the ship to be in excellent condition. The husband of a couple who went with us, a machine engineer, went through their engine room and pronounced it one of the most pristine he had ever seen. (yes, in days past, passengers were always welcomed into most (now unseen these days) areas of the ship. There was no casino, and no Vegas style state or entertainment, but we were absolutely enthralled every single night with the musical and cultural entertainment, the traditional clothing, dancing, Russian teas and the food was a total positive surprise. We must have had at least 7 kinds of borscht in a 9 day cruise (and at the time I thought it was all made of red beets !). The ship (for you other history fans) was built in Turku, Finland in 1975, so was probably pushing 20 when we sailed on her. She had been refurbished in Bremerhaven Germany in 1992. No balcony rooms of course, but had a "superior" outside on the second deck (there were 5 decks plus a tiny "sun deck" on top al la the old RCCL crown lounge, which was an observation/library area, and outdoor area. This made a total of 6 decks, but essentially the boat deck was the top deck. It contained what we'd term the lido deck now. Had a pool, children's pool, and pool bar, small massage area (no beauty salon), and the ship's hospital. An very interesting sidebar; years later, on the Carnival Freedom with children, grand children, on family cruise had one of the most outstanding waitresses/waiters EVER. A young woman from Ukraine who exemplified the epitome of service and wine knowledge, personality, and "people skills". Over about 9 days on that cruise, and many discussions at meal times, came to find out her MOTHER had been a server on the Gruziya ! She could not believe we had been on that ship, we were the first American cruisers she had ever met who had been on, or knew of, that ship and that it once cruised out of Florida ! Now looking for anyone else who may have been on this ship ! ? Are you out there ? Speaking of history, anyone been on Premier, Dolphin Line, Fair Wind, Fair Sky, etc. Maybe we can get a history of cruising forum going....LOL !

...Speaking of history, anyone been on Premier, Dolphin Line, Fair Wind, Fair Sky, etc. Maybe we can get a history of cruising forum going....LOL !

As for a history of cruising that was the original premise of this Whatever Happened to...? forum.

We sailed on the Sitmar "Fair Sea". We loved it so much we booked for the next year on their newbuid the "Fair Sky". Between us booking and the sailing, Sitmar merged with Princess and we sailed on it as a Princess ship. I think they named it "Sky Princess". As Sitmar was an Italian line right after the merge, Princess had a bit of an Italian flair which seemed to dissipate a little bit more and more year after year.

Definitely remember when Princess ships had that "Italian thing" going, a pasta course came with meal and was absolutely delicious. I agree, little by little that Italian "flavor" seemed to fade away. Speaking of do you remember and food.... I have talked to so many cruisers who had never taken a cruise ship until the last ten or so years. They could not believe that regardless of the cruise line, passengers always ordered items to accompany their entrees separately. In "those days" you ordered your vegetable, potato (Princess used to have wonderful au gratin potatoes in individually baked ramekins !). Also caviar, red, black, etc. with ALL the accompaniments was a fairly standard starter !

I know this is off the topic of the original poster, but speaking of "Italian flair".....did you ever cruise "once upon a time" on the Home Lines? There is NO ship or line that does dining like that anymore. I think they stopped cruising and passenger service in the early late 80's/early 90's/ I think the last Home lines sailing I did was the "Homeric" to Bermuda in 1987. When the terminated passenger service the "Homeric" became HAL's "Westerdam" and the "Oceanic" became "The Big Red Boat".

I remember the Home Lines but was never on their ships. Did not know what became of Homeric & Oceanic,  but interesting to find the one went to Premier/Big Red Boat/ that became Disney. 

No, not even the upscale lines today can equal what dining was like in those days. Was sure nice when there were 350-400 passengers and not such thing as Pre-plated meals ! Oh to be able to order EACH item again....LOL !

The "Oceanic" has been scrapped and the "Homeric" is now the "Marella Dream"

I sailed on the original Homeric (former Matson Liner Mariposa of 1931) in 1972.  Twice.  The next year I sailed Oceanic twice.  I believe the first Homeric was scrapped in 1974.  I believe HAL bought Home Lines in 1988.  EM

I sailed on Dolphin twice in the early 90's on the Sea Breeze and the Ocean Breeze.  Both ships were small and older but well kept.  The food was to die for and to this day they remain 2 of my favorite cruises of any time and line.

On 10/6/2019 at 10:23 AM, Essiesmom said:

I sailed on the original Homeric (former Matson Liner Mariposa of 1931) in 1972.  Twice.  The next year I sailed Oceanic twice.  I believe the first Homeric was scrapped in 1974.  I believe HAL bought Home Lines in 1988.  EM

Did you ever hear of the book "Nothing Can Go Wrong" ? In the mid 80's I was in a Walgreens near Port of Miami desperately eyeing the paperback book rack looking for something to grab quickly, check out, and get to the terminal to board what I think may have been the Nordic Prince, don't remember but definitely RCCL ship. I saw the book by author John McDonald & Captain John Kilpack. I had no knowledge of either, but the cover clearly showed it was something about "cruising". After boarding later that morning and settling down with the paperback after lunch, I found it was about the last world cruise of the Mariposa, San Francisco May 1977 to S.F. July 1977. Having done about half a dozen cruises at that time, all from Florida and various Caribbean itineraries, I was TOTALLY fascinated with the world of extended cruising (though short on time and money then !), and this tale of the last world cruise as the Matson "Mariposa". If you have never read this book, and have any way to get your hands on a copy ( I searched for months to get a copy a few years ago as a present for a friend who also stated cruising right after college as I did) and it was really hard to find. Found one in a Sarasota used book store finally ! It is one of the funniest, most enjoyable books I have ever read. I do admit that those who never cruised BEFORE the advent of bumper cars, prep portioned meals, water parks, and internet cafes, may not understand every reference and innuendo, but it will not interfere with the ultimate enjoyment of this book.... if you love cruising, you will love this actual tale of an experienced captain and a long cruise.  This book is a family treasure ! Although written in a very readable "novel" style, the opening pages include the names of the officers and the major cruise staff, the complete itinerary, dates, etc. but a "dry" documentary history it IS NOT ! !

The Mariposa of that book/voyage would have been built in 1952, and not the former Mariposa/Homeric I sailed in 1972.  The latter was indeed scrapped in 1974.  I must see if I can find that book, though. 

It appears to be available on Amazon...at a prince...

https://www.amazon.com/NOTHING-CAN-WRONG-John-MacDonald/dp/0449245519/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Nothing+can+go+wrong&qid=1590499636&s=books&sr=1-1EM

Hello annnmarie,

Here is a short bio of GRUZIYA until 2003.

https://web.itu.edu.tr/bilgili/Ships/soviet/blasco/gruziya/gruziya.htm

After bankrupty of the Dutch Club Cruise company she got sold to Salamis Cruise Lines for whom she sailed until now (2020)  as SALAMIS FILOXENIA for short cruises from Cyprus.

https://www.salamiscruiselines.com/

Plans as built 1975:

Plans actual:

On 5/26/2020 at 6:26 AM, Essiesmom said:

The Mariposa of that book/voyage would have been built in 1952, and not the former Mariposa/Homeric I sailed in 1972.  The latter was indeed scrapped in 1974.  I must see if I can find that book, though. 

 

It appears to be available on Amazon...at a prince...

 

https://www.amazon.com/NOTHING-CAN-WRONG-John-MacDonald/dp/0449245519/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Nothing+can+go+wrong&qid=1590499636&s=books&sr=1-1EM

Just wondered if you ever got the book ? What a treasure of memory and humor for those of us who cruises in the early days of cruising....

No, I never sprung for the book...  EM

We sailed on Odesa America on a Canadian cruise.  The lead tenor from one of the Ukraine operas was on the ship with his students as entertainment--wonderful stuff.

Back in the days when old ocean liners were still available for cruisers to book, we found Gruziya, and had all intentions of booking a cruise on her.  Alas, it was not to be.  However, while on a port stop at Cozumel, we found that we were docked a short distance from her.  We walked over and had a look, but the exterior was the extent of it.  Nice looking ship.

I just found several copies of "Nothing Can Go Wrong" on ebay, for under $7.  That sounds like a book I would enjoy.....unless some of you snap up the least expensive copies first.

I have a nice postcard of the Gruziya and some nice items from the Homeric too, including a 1950's Lp record album and some nice postcards.

On 10/6/2019 at 1:23 PM, Essiesmom said:

I sailed on the original Homeric (former Matson Liner Mariposa of 1931) in 1972.  Twice.  The next year I sailed Oceanic twice.  I believe the first Homeric was scrapped in 1974.  I believe HAL bought Home Lines in 1988.  EM

I have a nice collection of 1971 Oceanic menus and a nice Oceanic melamine souvenir tray and couple of nice postcards for her too.

On 8/7/2018 at 11:22 AM, marco said:

We sailed on the Sitmar "Fair Sea". We loved it so much we booked for the next year on their newbuid the "Fair Sky". Between us booking and the sailing, Sitmar merged with Princess and we sailed on it as a Princess ship. I think they named it "Sky Princess". As Sitmar was an Italian line right after the merge, Princess had a bit of an Italian flair which seemed to dissipate a little bit more and more year after year.

I have a couple of interesting souvenirs from Sitmar's Fairsea, I have a souvenir record album and a nice heavy pewter souvenir from her and a Unique postcard for the Fairsky, it doesn't show the ship, instead it shows Captain Rudolfo Poteenzoni of the Fairsky on the postcard

1 hour ago, norboy76 said:

I have a nice collection of 1971 Oceanic menus and a nice Oceanic melamine souvenir tray and couple of nice postcards for her too.

 

Look at those four beautiful aft sun decks!

8 hours ago, shipgeeks said:

Look at those four beautiful aft sun decks!

All that deck space to get some good tanning or skeet shooting or just strolling around the decks. 

Feel free to check my new post in the forum for the American Export Lines. I put some nice photos of souvenirs I have from that line, including a *Newspaper Press Photo* and a *NS Savannah Dinner Plate* from it's dining room