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Eugenio C
 
Eugenio C - EugenioCosta - Edinburgh Castle - Big Red Boat II
 
 
This page is devoted to postcards of the Eugenio C, the last classic Italian-built Transatlantic liner. Additional non-official commercial releases to the Costa Line page are shown here, plus the subsequent history of the ship following sale by Costa.
 
Eugenio C was the last classic transatlantic liner built in Italy, entering service in 1966. She replaced Federico C on Costa's main route to South America, on which she served for 10 years. As time passed, more time was devoted each year to cruising. After 1983, the only Atlantic crossings were twice yearly positioning voyages. Eugenio C became Eugenio Costa in 1984. She finished her last cruise for Costa on November 1996.
 
Eugenio Costa was sold to Lowline Shipping, who chartered her to Direct Cruises, becoming their first ship, the Edinburgh Castle. Direct Cruises had been formed by Direct Holidays to operate low cost direct mail holidays, sailing from northern British ports. They proved to be a threat to the success of rivals Airtours, and were bought out jointly by Airtours and Carnival. The charter was not renewed for 2000 when the owners, Lowline, filed for bankruptcy. Ownership passed to their main creditor Cammell Laird, who have subsequently chartered the ship to Premier Cruise Line, as their Big Red Boat II. She has not sailed since the collapse of Premier in September 2000.
 
 
Ship Names on this Page:-
Eugenio C - 1966-84
Eugenio Costa - 1984-96
Edinburgh Castle - 1996-
Big Red Boat II - 1966-84
 
Associated Pages:-
Costa Line - Linea "C"
Direct Cruise Line
Premier Cruise Line
Italian Liners
Simplon Postcards Home Page
 
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Eugenio C
(Costa: 1966-84)
 
Eugenio C was the last classic transatlantic liner built in Italy, entering service in 1966. She replaced Federico C on Costa's main route to South America, on which she served for 10 years. As time passed, more time was devoted each year to cruising. After 1983, the only Atlantic crossings were twice yearly positioning voyages. Eugenio C became Eugenio Costa in 1984. She finished her last cruise for Costa on November 1996, but has since sailed for Direct Cruises and Premier.
 
 
Costa Line official postcards of Eugenio C
 
 
Costa Line official postcards of Eugenio C
 
 
Costa Line official postcards of Eugenio C
 
 
Costa Line official postcards of Eugenio C
 
 
Costa Line official postcards of Eugenio C
 
 
A Costa art card of Eugenio C, from the Costa Liners set using paintings by Stephen J.Card.
Enlarged images of the complete set are shown on this link.
 
 
 
 
Eugenio Costa
(Costa: 1984-96)
 
Costa Line official postcards of Eugenio Costa. Note the additional yellow riband along the hull.
 
 
 
 
Brascard commercial postcard of Eugenio Costa, at Santos, Brasil
Photo: Jose Castro
 
 
Giacomelli commercial postcard NE06 of Eugenio Costa at Rio de Janeiro
Photo: Antonio Giacomelli, 02/94
 
 
HHH commercial postcard 596 of Eugenio Costa at Hamburg, with the sailing ship Rickmer Rickmers.
 
 
Langerbauer commercial postcard HH201 of Eugenio C at Hamburg.
 
 
Centro Tabacai commercial postcard 71959 of Eugenio Costa at Genova, with numerous Tirrenia ferries.
 
 
 
Ultrafoto commercial postcard GEN414 of Eugenio C and Enrico C at Genova, with an enlargement of the ships shown below.
 
 
 
 
Garami commercial postcard GEN581 of Eugenio Costa at Genova, with a Tirrenia ferry.
 
 
Unidentified commercial postcard 22 of Eugenio C at the ocean terminal in Trieste,
With a Soviet Ivan Franko class vessel behind.
 
 
CC commercial postcard 452 of Eugenio C passing beneath the 25th April Bridge in Lisbon.
 
 
Jose Isidoro commercial postcard 452 of Eugenio C and the 25th April Bridge in Lisbon.
One of the strangest cards in my collection, since it is printed on cork - for use as a drinks mat?
 
 
 
 
 
Edinburgh Castle
(Direct Cruises: 1996-2000)
 
Eugenio Costa was sold to Lowline Shipping, who chartered her to Direct Cruises, becoming their first ship, the Edinburgh Castle. Direct Cruises had been formed by Direct Holidays to operate low cost direct mail holidays, sailing from northern British ports. They proved to be a threat to the success of rivals Airtours, and were bought out jointly by Airtours and Carnival. The charter was not renewed for 2000 when the owners, Lowline, filed for bankruptcy. Ownership passed to their main creditor Cammell Laird, who have subsequently chartered the ship to Premier Cruise Line, as their Big Red Boat II. She has not sailed since the collapse of Premier in September 2000.
 
 
An attractive Direct Cruises official card of Edinburgh Castle is shown below.
 
 
Simplon Postcards Serial sc2127 of Edinburgh Castle in Direct Cruises colours.
Photographed by Rui Manuel Gouveia Sa off Funchal, Madeira in 1998.
 
 
 
 
 
Big Red Boat II
(Premier Cruises: 2000)
 
 
Official Premier postcard of Big Red Boat II
Scan: Roy Buckwalter
Click to open larger image in new window
 
 
Chantry Classics postcard CC/S320 of Big Red Boat II, at Freeport.
Photo: © Vincenzo Miele.
 
 
Photographs of Big Red Boat II, in a sorry state at Freeport.
Note the Rembrandt behind - she did not receive the indignity
of becoming a Big Red Boat before Premier's collapse.
Photo: © Vincenzo Miele.
 
 
Big Red Boat II at Freeport
Photo: © Vincenzo Miele.
 
 
Photographs of Big Red Boat II, and other members of the laid up Premier fleet, at Freeport.
Photo: © Fabrizio Di Fraia.
 
 
Big Red Boat II, and other members of the laid up Premier fleet, at Freeport.
Photo: © Fabrizio Di Fraia.
 
 
Big Red Boat II, and other members of the laid up Premier fleet, at Freeport.
Photo: © Fabrizio Di Fraia.
 
 
Big Red Boat II, and other members of the laid up Premier fleet, at Freeport.
Photo: © Fabrizio Di Fraia.
 
 
Big Red Boat II, and other members of the laid up Premier fleet, at Freeport.
Photo: © Fabrizio Di Fraia.
 
 
 
Photograph of Big Red Boat II, at Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores.
She arrived the previous day on her final voyage to Indian breakers.
Photo: © Carlos Manuel Estrela, 14th April 2005.
 
 
Photograph of Big Red Boat leaving Ponta Delgada, São Miguel, Azores.
She is just visible aft of P&O's Oriana.
Photo: © Carlos Manuel Estrela, 15th April 2005.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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