italia off coast of piraeus in 1980
in 1969, princess italia began operate cruises in alaska, , continued both itineraries until 1973, when crociere d oltremare canceled charter princess. subsequently chartered costa cruises, changed name italia , operated on cruises out of san juan, puerto rico. in 1977 costa purchased ship , began chartering various companies. ended in 1983 when costa sold italia ocean cruise line. ocean cruise line renamed ocean princess , had cruises in mediterranean during summer, , in caribbean , latin america during winter. in march 1993, while cruising through amazon, ocean princess struck sunken wreck on river bottom, causing engine room , lower decks flood. passengers , crew rescued unharmed, ship herself declared total constructive loss.
after repairs, purchased sunshine cruise line , due re-enter service sea prince in 1995, fire broke out on board, , again offered sale. in end purchased cyprus-based cruise line louis cruises, had named princesa oceanica after major refit. princesa oceania did not keep new name long, chartered british cruise company thomson holidays, rename sapphire. sapphire went on cruise thomson until 2002, when returned louis. under ownership of louis retained name sapphire. itinerary of sapphire before retired included cruises around greek islands, cruises calling in lebanon , syria , various ports of greece.
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