AZURE SEAS
March 1990 | Port of Los Angeles, California and Ensenada, Mexico
In March 1990, the Azure Seas (Admiral Cruises), formerly known as the Southern Cross, sailed from Los Angeles to Ensenada, offering passengers a short yet memorable getaway along the Mexican Riviera.
The Azure Seas, operated by Admiral Cruises, was captured in March 1990 on a voyage from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico. Known for her unique history, the ship originally sailed as the Southern Cross for Shaw, Savill & Albion Line and was among the first ocean liners purpose-built for long-distance immigrant service to Australia and New Zealand. By the time she sailed as the Azure Seas, the vessel had been transformed into a popular short-cruise ship along the Mexican Riviera, offering passengers a mix of classic ocean liner heritage and modern leisure cruising. Her legacy is a fascinating chapter in maritime history, blending post-war innovation with late 20th-century cruising culture.
Information List
Name: Azure Seas
Previous Names: Southern Cross, Calypso, Azure Seas
Operator: Admiral Cruises (at time of photo)
Year Launched: 1954
Shipyard: Harland and Wolff, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Length: 201 meters (659 feet)
Beam: 25 meters (82 feet)
Tonnage: 20,204 GT (as built)
Capacity: Approx. 1,000 passengers (varied after refits)
Facilities Include: Lounges, restaurants, pool decks, bars, show lounges, and a mix of stateroom accommodations
History and Features
Launch and Design: Built in 1954 by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, the Southern Cross was a groundbreaking design for Shaw, Savill & Albion Line. She was the first ocean liner designed exclusively for one-class service and immigrant transport, featuring all passenger accommodations forward and machinery aft—an arrangement that influenced many modern cruise ship designs.
Service as Southern Cross: The ship served the Britain–Australia and New Zealand routes during the 1950s and 1960s, becoming a vital link for post-war migration. With her distinctive profile and innovative layout, she quickly became one of the most recognizable liners of her era.
Later Years and Cruise Service: After being sold in the 1970s, the ship underwent several refits and operated under different names, including Calypso, before becoming the Azure Seas under Admiral Cruises in the 1980s. As the Azure Seas, she was based on the U.S. West Coast, sailing popular short cruises to Ensenada, Mexico.
Refits/Upgrades: During her conversion to a cruise ship, the vessel was extensively modernized with updated staterooms, lounges, pools, and public areas designed to cater to leisure travelers rather than long-haul migrants.
Legacy: The ship’s design set the stage for modern cruising and remains a milestone in ocean liner development. Though she no longer sails, her story bridges the transition from the golden age of ocean liners to the modern era of leisure cruising.
The Azure Seas stands as a remarkable example of maritime evolution, beginning her life as the pioneering Southern Cross and later transforming into a beloved cruise ship that introduced many travelers to the joy of short getaways at sea.
