The 28,000grt Royal Viking Sea has had quite a history. Originally built as one of three sisters for Royal Viking Line (Royal Viking Sky and Royal Viking Sun being the others), entering service in 1973 until 1987 when she was tranferred to Kloster Cruise to 1991. She became Royal Odyssey for Royal Cruise Line until 1997 when she was sold to Actinor Cruise Line in 1997, chartered to Norwegian Cruise Line and renamed "Norwegian Star (I) until 1999. From 1999-2000 she was chartered to Norwegian Capricorn Line. In 2000 she was Norwegian Star I for Star Cruises during a charter until 2002. That year she was chartered as Crown to Crown Investments for a year. They got heavily into debt and the ship was laid up. In 2003 she was released and Spanish Cruise Lines took her over, chartering her to Phoenix Seereisen in 2004 where she was renamed Albratros (II), replacing the previous Albatros (former Cunarder Sylvania) when she had to be unexpectedly scrapped and remains sailing for them to this day.
This photo was taken as she sailed from Southampton in September 1988 and she began my love affair with these adorable ships.
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