DFDS: Post War Ships 1974 - Ferry Postcards - Scandinavian Seaways

This page is one of a series devoted to the ships of DFDS - Det Forenede Dampskibsselskab A/B (The United Steamship Co). This page covers post-war passenger and ro-ro ferries delivered after 1974. An alphabetical list of ships covered on this page is shown below. Below this are official postcards of the fleet in chronological order of joining the fleet. A table of individual ship histories is available on the DFDS Header Page.

For many years, DFDS had marketed their North Sea passenger operations under the Scandinavian Seaways banner. However, with an increasing emphasis on services serving Holland and Germany, the name was no longer appropriate, and they returned to being called DFDS Seaways in 2000. Modern high-capacity multi-purpose car/passenger/freight ferries are shown on this page, starting with Dana Regina of 1974. Post war ships from 1945-74 are covered on this link.


Ships on This Page (1974- ):-
Admiral of Scandinavia - 1997-2003 (ex-Hamburg)
Crown of Scandinavia - 1994-2011 later Crown Seaways
Crown Seaways - 2011- previously Crown of Scandinavia
Dana Anglia - 1978-2002 (later Duke of Scandinavia)
Dana Gloria (3) - 1981-84, 1985-1989 (later King of Scandinavia)
Dana Gloria (5) - 2002-2003
Dana Regina - 1974-1990
Dana Sirena (2) - 2003-2011 later Sirena Seaways
Sirena Seaways - 2011- previously Dana Sirena (2)
Duchess of Scandinavia - 2003- (ex-Bergen of Fjord Line)
Duke of Scandinavia - 2002- (ex-Dana Anglia)
Hamburg - 1987-1997 (later Admiral of Scandinavia)
King of Scandinavia (1) - 1989-1994 - (ex-Dana Gloria)
King of Scandinavia (2) - 1994-2002
King of Scandinavia (3) - 2006-2011 (ex-Val de Loire) later King Seaways
King Seaways - 2011- (ex-Val de Loire) previously King of Scandinavia (3)
Pearl of Scandinavia - 2001-2011 later Pearl Seaways
Pearl Seaways - 2011- previously Pearl of Scandinavia
Prince of Scandinavia - 1991- (ex-Tor Britannia)
Princess of Norway - 2006-2011 later Princess Seaways
Princess of Scandinavia (1) - 1991-2011 (ex-Tor Scandinavia)
Princess Seaways - 2006-2011 previously Princess of Norway
Prinz Hamlet - DFDS charter: 1981-1987
Prins Hamlet - DFDS: 1987-1988
Queen of Scandinavia - 1994-
Scandinavia - 1982-1985
TOR Britannia - 1981-1991 (later Prince of Scandinavia)
TOR Scandinavia - 1981-1991 (later Princess of Scandinavia)
World Wide Expo - 1983 (Tor Scandinavia on charter)

DFDS Pages:-
DFDS - Header Page
DFDS - Passenger Ferries Pre-1945
DFDS - Passenger Ferries 1945-74
DFDS - Passenger/RoRo Ferries 1974- - this page!
DFDS - Dover-Dunkerque Services 2010-
Tor Line - Passenger Ferries
DFDS Tor Line - Freight Ferries
Scandinavian World Cruises - DFDS Caribbean Venture
www.dfdsseaways.co.uk - DFDS Official Website

Associated Pages:-
Fjord Line
Ferry Postcards
Cruise Ship Postcards
Ocean Liner Postcards
Simplon Postcards Home Page

References:-


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powered by FreeFind DFDS Fleet List - 1974- Dana Regina (DFDS: 1974-90)
Dana Regina was delivered to DFDS in 1974 for the Harwich-Esbjerg route, on which she remained until 1983. She then operated on the Copenhagen-Oslo route until 1990, when she was sold to Nordström & Thulin of Sweden for their Stockholm-Tallinn service marketed as Estline. She was renamed Nord Estonia, and the official Estline postcard is shown below. In 1992 she was chartered to Larvik Line as Thor Heyerdahl. Between 1994-6 she operated as VanaTallinn under charter to Tallink. In 1998 she was purchased by Tallink.
Complete history of Dana Regina
DFDS Seaways official postcard of Dana Regina in the initial attractive red/black livery whilst serving between Harwich and Esbjerg. Stenders Forlag postcard (serial 149805072) of Dana Regina at Esbjerg.
DFDS Seaways official postcard of Dana Regina whilst serving between Copenhagen and Oslo, in the later blue/white livery. Simplon Postcards release sp1025, of Dana Regina photographed at Copenhagen by Kenn Eilersen. Dana Regina is in the later Scandinavian Seaways blue/white livery. Note the extended exhausts compared to the previous card. Dana Anglia (DFDS: 1978-2002) Duke of Scandinavia (DFDS: 2002- )
Dana Anglia was delivered to DFDS in 1978 for the Harwich-Esbjerg route, on which she remained until October 2002. Dana Anglia then moved to a new Baltic route, when replaced by the ro-pax vessel Dana Gloria. She was renamed Duke of Scandinavia for a service from Copenhagen to Trelleborg and Gdansk. In 2006 she was chartered to Brittany Ferries and renamed Pont L'Abb�. Bought by Brittany Ferries in 2007 but sold to Moby Lines in 2009 and renamed Moby Corse.
Complete history of Dana Anglia DFDS Seaways official postcard of Dana Anglia in the original red/black colours. DFDS Seaways official postcard of Dana Anglia in the original red/black colours. A DFDS Seaways official postcard of Dana Anglia in the later blue/white colours. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Dana Anglia. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Dana Anglia. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Dana Anglia. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Dana Anglia. An official postcard of Dana Anglia after the company title reverted to DFDS Seaways. Note that the name is now forward of the hull flash. Official DFDS postcard of Duke of Scandinavia. Prinz Hamlet (DFDS charter: 1981-87)Prins Hamlet (DFDS: 1987-88)
Prinz Hamlet (2) was built in 1973 at Rendsburg for Prinz Ferries (Prinzenlinien, Hamburg), and used on their Harwich-Hamburg service. From 1981 this service passed to DFDS, who chartered the Prinz Hamlet (2), followed by purchase in May 1987 when she was renamed Prins Hamlet. She ran on various DFDS services, mainly from Newcastle, until sale to Stena Line in September 1988. Stena briefly renamed her Stena Baltica before a charter to Polferries (Polska Zegluga Baltyska) as Nieborow. In 2002 she passed to Montenegro Lines for services to Italy as Sveti Stefan II. Official DFDS postcard of Prinz Hamlet. Official postcard of Prinz Hamlet. Official postcard of Prinz Hamlet. Postcard of Prinz Hamlet at Harwich. Chantry Classics postcard of Prinz Hamlet at Harwich. Ramsey postcards 23 of Prins Hamlet. Official DFDS postcard of Prins Hamlet. Official DFDS postcard of Prins Hamlet. Postcard of Prins Hamlet at Hamburg. Simplon Postcards issue sp1111 of Prins Hamlet. Photo: © Hilton Davis, River Tyne. Dana Gloria (3) (DFDS: 1981-84, 1985-89)
Dana Gloria (3) was built as the Wellamo for Finska Ångfartygs Ab, part of the Silja Line consortium, by Dubegion-Normandie, Nantes. She entered service between Stockholm-Helsinki in 1975. Her sister ships were Svea Corona and Bore Star. In 1979 Wellamo was sold to DFDS and renamed Dana Gloria for Esbjerg-Newcastle services. From 1984 Dana Gloria was moved to the Copenhagen-Oslo route. Between March 1984 and May 1985 Dana Gloria was chartered back to Silja Line partner Johnsson Line for use between Stockholm-Mariehamn-Åbo, for which she was renamed Svea Corona (2), a name previously held by one of her sisters. In June 1985, Dana Gloria returned to the Copenhagen-Oslo route with DFDS. In 1988, Dana Gloria was lengthened by 22.3m at Jos L Meyer Werft, Papenburg Ems, re-appearing in service as the King of Scandinavia in February 1989. From June 1990, services also called at Helsingborg. In 1994, King of Scandinavia was sold to Color Line and renamed Color Viking, for service between Bergen-Stavanger-Newcastle. In 1998, the route and ship were transferred to Fjord Line, and was Color Viking was renamed Jupiter.
Complete history of Dana Gloria Official DFDS postcard of Dana Gloria. Commercial postcard of Dana Gloria on the River Tyne. Photograph of Dana Gloria on the River Tyne. Photo: Mike Tedstone, September 1982. Official DFDS postcard of Dana Gloria, in later colours. TOR Britannia (DFDS: 1981-91) Prince of Scandinavia (DFDS: 1991- )
Prince of Scandinavia was built in 1975 as the TOR Britannia for the TOR Line routes from Felixstowe and Amsterdam to Gothenburg. TOR Line services were acquired by DFDS in 1981. TOR Britannia was renamed Prince of Scandinavia in 1991.
Complete history of Prince of Scandinavia
DFDS Seaways official postcard of Tor Britannia in DFDS Tor Line colours. DFDS Seaways official postcard of Tor Britannia in DFDS Seaways red/black colours. DFDS Seaways official postcard of Tor Britannia in DFDS Seaways blue/white colours. DFDS Seaways official postcard of Tor Britannia in DFDS Seaways blue/white colours. DFDS Seaways official postcard of Tor Britannia in DFDS Seaways blue/white colours. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Prince of Scandinavia. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Prince of Scandinavia. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Prince of Scandinavia. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Prince of Scandinavia. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Prince of Scandinavia. This is a DFDS Seaways official postcard of Prince of Scandinavia, issued after the DFDS title was revived in 2000. Note the flared hull - added to conform with latest stability requirements. Tor Scandinavia (DFDS: 1981-91) Princess of Scandinavia (1)(DFDS: 1991- )
Princess of Scandinavia was built in 1976 as the TOR Scandinavia for the Tor Line routes from Felixstowe and Amsterdam to Gothenburg. Tor Line services were acquired by DFDS in 1981. Initially, the ex-Tor ships carried the logo DFDS TOR LINE on their hulls, as shown in the card below. The ships were re-registered in Denmark, and soon began operating on traditional DFDS routes. TOR Scandinavia was renamed Princess of Scandinavia in 1991.
Complete history of Princess of Scandinavia
DFDS Seaways official postcard of Tor Scandinavia in DFDS TOR LINE colours. In 1983 Tor Scandinavia was chartered for use as a floating exhibition centre, and was temporarily given the name World Wide Expo. This postcard was issued by the charterers. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Tor Scandinavia in Scandinavian Seaways colours. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Tor Scandinavia in Scandinavian Seaways colours. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Princess of Scandinavia. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Princess of Scandinavia. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Princess of Scandinavia. Scandinavian Seaways official postcard of Princess of Scandinavia. This is a DFDS Seaways official postcard of Princess of Scandinavia, issued after the DFDS title was revived in 2000. Note the flared hull to conform with latest stability requirements. Scandinavia (DFDS: 1982-85)
The Scandinavia was delivered in 1982 from Dubigeon-Normandie in Nantes for DFDS subsidiary Scandinavian World Cruises. She operated a cruise-ferry service from New York to Freeport (Bahamas) which was not successful. DFDS transferred her to their Oslo-Copenhagen service briefly in 1984, but was sold on to Sundance Cruises in 1985 as the Stardancer, she is currently the Viking Serenade of Royal Caribbean.

Complete history of Scandinavia
This is a Duncan real photographic card of Scandinavia as delivered. Official DFDS postcard of Scandinavia at Copenhagen when operating the overnight service to Oslo. Simplon Postcards sp1046 of Scandinavia at Copenhagen when operating the overnight service to Oslo. Photograph by Kenn Eilersen. Venus (DFDS charter: Summers only - 1982-84)
In the early 1980s, DFDS was expanding in the North Sea, and for the summers of 1982-84, they operated Fred Olsen-Bergen Line ferries Venus, and sistership Jupiter, under charter on Bergen-Newcastle and Bergen-Amsterdam routes. However, in 1985, the Bergen-Newcastle service was operated by Bergen-based Norway Line, who chartered the Venus. In 1986, the joint ownership agreement between Fred Olsen and Bergen Line came to an end. Jupiter passed to Bergen Line and was soon sold to Norway Line. Black Prince became wholly owned by Fred Olsen, and was completely refitted as a full-time cruise ship, re-entering service in 1987. She operated as one-ship cruise line until 1996, when Fred Olsen added the Black Watch (3). Official DFDS postcard of the Venus. Hamburg (DFDS: 1987-1997) Admiral of Scandinavia (DFDS: 1997-2003)
Admiral of Scandinavia was built as Kronprins Harald in 1976 for Jahre Line's Oslo-Kiel service. She was acquired by DFDS in 1987 and renamed Hamburg, replacing Prinz Hamlet on the Harwich-Hamburg route. In 1997 she was moved to routes from Newcastle, and renamed Admiral of Scandinavia. In 2001 she returned to the Harwich-Hamburg route, but was sold in 2003.
This is a Scandinavian Seaways official postcard. This is a DFDS Seaways official postcard. Kissack postcard of Hamburg at Hamburg.. King of Scandinavia (1) (DFDS: 1989-94)
In June 1985, Dana Gloria (3) returned to the Copenhagen-Oslo route with DFDS. In 1988, Dana Gloria was lengthened by 22.3m at Jos L Meyer Werft, Papenburg Ems, re-appearing in service as the King of Scandinavia in February 1989. From June 1990, services also called at Helsingborg. In 1994, King of Scandinavia was sold to Color Line and renamed Color Viking, for service between Bergen-Stavanger-Newcastle.
Complete history of King of Scandinavia Official DFDS postcard of King of Scandinavia. Official DFDS postcard of King of Scandinavia. Official DFDS postcard of King of Scandinavia. Queen of Scandinavia (DFDS: 1990- )
Queen of Scandinavia was built in 1981 by Oy Wärtsilä Ab, as Finlandia for EFFOA (part of Silja Line). She was sold to DFDS in 1990 for use on their Copenhagen-Oslo overnight service. In 2001 she switched to the Newcastle-Ijmuiden route, replaced by the Pearl of Scandinavia on the Copenhagen-Oslo.
Complete history of Queen of Scandinavia
This is a DFDS Seaways official postcard. Attractive Aune (Trondheim) postcard serial 005285. Crown of Scandinavia (DFDS: 1994-2011) Crown Seaways (DFDS: 2011- )
Crown of Scandinavia was being built for Euroway as the second of two sisters to be used on a L�beck-Travemunde-Malmo service. The service failed before her delivery, and she was sold to DFDS in 1994, becoming Crown of Scandinavia on their Copenhagen-Oslo overnight service.
This is a DFDS Seaways official art postcard. This is a DFDS Seaways official postcard. Crown of Scandinavia Photo: © Ian Boyle, 15th August 2007 Click to open larger image in new window DFDS postcard of Crown Seaways Image links to a larger copy King of Scandinavia (2) (DFDS: 1994-2002)
King of Scandinavia (2) was built as Prinsessan Birgitta by Oy Wärtsilä Ab, Åbo, Finland, for a consortium of owners including Rederi Ab Göteborg-Frederikshavn Linjen (Sessan Linjen) who owned 43.5%. Prinsessan Birgitta entered service between Göteborg-Frederikshavn in 1974. In 1977, Rederi Ab Göteborg-Frederikshavn Linjen took full ownership. In 1980 the Sessan Tor Line partnership started. In 1981, Sessan Linjen was acquired by Stena Line. Prinsessan Birgitta was also used on routes Göteborg-Travemünde and Göteborg-Kiel. In 1982 Prinsessan Birgitta was renamed Stena Scandinavica. In 1987 Stena Scandinavica was chartered to Compagnie Tunisienne de Navigation S.A. (Cotunav) service between Tunis-Genoa, for which she was renamed Scandinavica. In 1988, Scandinavica was chartered to Sealink British Ferries for service between Dover-Calais and Dover-Zeebrugge. In 1989, the Cotunav charter was repeated as the Tarik L. In 1990, Scandinavica was sold to Norway Line and given the name Venus for their Bergen-Stavanger-Newcastle route. Ownership later passed to Color Line. In 1994 she was sold to DFDS as part of an exchange deal with the King of Scandinavia (1) (ex-Dana Gloria). Venus was renamed King of Scandinavia (2) and introduced on service from Newcastle to Hamburg or Esbjerg in 1995. In 1996, Ijmuiden replaced Esbjerg. Charters to Cotunav continued in the summers of 1997, 1998 and 2001. She was chartered to Bornholmstraffiken later in 2001. In 2002, King of Scandinavia (2) was sold to Reca Marmara Lines, Istanbul, for a service Cesme-Brindisi-Ancona and renamed Cesme.
Complete history of King of Scandinavia (2) This is a Scandinavian Seaways official postcard. This is a DFDS Seaways official postcard. Pearl of Scandinavia (DFDS: 2001-2011) Pearl Seaways (DFDS: 2001- )
Pearl of Scandinavia was originally built as Athena for Rederi AB Slite (part of Viking Line). Following the failure of Slite, she was sold to Star Cruises and renamed Star Aquarius (later Langkapuri Star Aquarius). She returned to Northern Europe in 2001, when purchased by DFDS for their Oslo-Copenhagen service, replacing Queen of Scandinavia.
Complete history of Pearl of Scandinavia
This is the first official DFDS postcard of Pearl of Scandinavia. Simplon Postcards sp1273 of Pearl of Scandinavia, released December 2001. Photograph taken by Peter Therkildsen at Copenhagen. Pearl of Scandinavia off Helsingborg Photo: © Ian Boyle, 06th August 2007 Click to open larger image in new window Pearl of Scandinavia and Century leaving Copenhagen Photos: © Ian Boyle, 16th August 2007 - Images link to larger copies DFDS postcard of Pearl Seaways Image links to a larger copy Dana Gloria (5) (DFDS: 2002-2003)
Dana Gloria (5) replaced Dana Anglia on the Harwich-Esbjerg route in 2002. She is one of two partially completed ships acquired by DFDS in 2002. Her sistership, Dana Sirena was modified with additional passenger accommodation, and replaced Dana Gloria in 2003.
More images of Dana Gloria Dana Gloria at Harwich in March 2003. Photo: © Ian Boyle, Duchess of Scandinavia(DFDS: 2003-2005)
Duchess of Scandinavia was built as the Bergen for Fjord Line in 1993. She is 16794 grt and carries 882 passengers, 160 cars and 40 trucks. Duchess of Scandinavia is being chartered by DFDS from Fjord Line to replace Admiral of Scandinavia on the Harwich-Cuxhaven route. The Harwich-Cuxhaven route was closed in 2005. Duchess of Scandinavia was returned to her owners, and renamed Atlantic Traveller before re-entering service.
Complete history of Duchess of Scandinavia Official DFDS postcard of Duchess of Scandinavia. Photographs of Duchess of Scandinavia arriving Harwich 15th June 2003.Additional photos are available on this link. Photo: © Ian Boyle Dana Sirena(DFDS: 2003-2011)Sirena Seaways(DFDS: 2003- )
Dana Gloria replaced Dana Anglia on the Harwich-Esbjerg route in 2002. She is one of two partially completed ships acquired by DFDS in 2002. Her sistership, Dana Sirena was modified with additional passenger accommodation, and replaced Dana Gloria in 2003.
More images of Dana Sirena

Official DFDS postcard of Dana Sirena. Photographs of Dana Sirena.Photo: © Peter Therkildsen, Esbjerg 2003. Photographs of Dana Sirena.Photo: © Ian Boyle, Harwich, 16th November 2003. Photo: © Ian Boyle, 20th May 2007 - Images link to larger copies DFDS postcard of Sirena Seaways Image links to a larger copy King of Scandinavia (3) (DFDS: 2006-2011)King Seaways (DFDS: 2011- ) Nils Holgersson (4) was built in 1987 by Schichau Seebeckswerft AG, Bremerhaven, for the TT Line Travem�nde-Trelleborg route. Her sisters were the Peter Pan (3), Olau Britannia (2) and Olau Hollandia (2). In 1992 she was sold to SweFerry Ab, Trelleborg, remaining in TT Line service. In 1993 she was sold to Brittany Ferries, entering service as the Val de Loire after a major rebuilding in La Spezia. Her primary route was Plymouth-Santander, but she also served Plymouth-Roscoff. In winter, the English port for the Santander service switched to Portsmouth. In 2005 she was sold to DFDS, passing to them in February 2006 and being renamed King of Scandinavia. This was changed to King Seaways in 2011,