The first Yugoslav Ship that had a bulbous bow and called the Adriatic Beauty was the DALAMACIJA.
She was built in 1965 by Brodogradiliste Uljanik in Yugoslavia (now Croatia) for Jadranska Linijska Plovidba (the Yugoslav state shipping company) or as known as JUGOLINJA.
She had a sister built as ISTRA of which was broken up late 2018. Both ships operated a long route from Venice calling at numerous Yugoslav, Greek, Lebanese and Egyptian ports, including Piraeus and Dubrovnik in both directions. They were the first large trans-Mediterranean passenger ships to be built in Yugoslavia, and were fitted with enclosed swimming pools. First class cabins all had private facilities and were on the promenade, upper and main decks. The sisters carried 165 first class passengers and 52 tourist class. Twin-screws driven by Sulzer diesels of 7500bhp gave a speed of 18 knots, and stabilisers were fitted.
DALMACIJA was used on occasional cruise in Northern Europe. and ownership passed to Intercruise in 1991. In 2001 she was bought by Uljanik Ship Management (connected with her builders) who marketed her as Croatian Cruise Line on weekly circuits along the Croatian coast from Venice. Ownership was changed again in 2006 to Adriatic Cruises (owned by the Croatian Transauto bus company), with plans to run on a similar circuit from Venice between March and November.
Below images while entering Grand Harbour, Malta on Friday 23rd April 1999 for an overnight stay –
And below images off Bunkering Area 4, Malta on Sunday 17th August, 2008 wearing Adriatic Cruises colours –
On 6th November, 2010 DALMACIJA left her home port of Rijeka where she was crewed by five Croatian senior officers whilst the rest of the crew were Pakistanis. She sailed to Alang, India where she was broken up.
Watermarked Photos are by Capt. Lawrence Dalli otherwise stated. NO PHOTOS can be used or manipulated without our permission. © All rights reserved. Malta Ship Photos & Action Photos – www.maltashipphotos.com
Published – Monday 4th January, 2021
