Tahitien

History

Name: ? 1953-1972: Tahitien
? 1972-1991: Atalante
? 1991-1992: Homericus
? 1992-2005: Atalante
Operator: ? 1953-1972: Messageries Maritimes
? 1972-1991:Aphrodite Cruises/Mediterranean Sun Lines
? 1991-1992: Epirotiki Lines
? 1993-2004: Paradise Cruises

In service: 1953
Out of service: 2004
Status: Broken up at Alang
General characteristics
Tonnage: 13,562 tons
Length: 549 feet
Beam: 67 feet
Draught: 25 feet
Propulsion: Twin screws
Speed: 17 knots

Capacity: 635 passengers
Crew: 160

The MV Tahitien was a 1953 built ocean liner and later cruise ship originally built for the French shipping company Messageries Maritimes along with her sister the Caledonien.

History

Tahitien was put into service for the Marseilles to French Polynesia run. She operated in this service until the heavy competition from the Jet airliner industry caught up with Messageries Maritimes, who ended their passenger services and sold nearly their entire fleet, including Tahitien. She would next be owned by the Limassol based Aphrodite Cruises (later named Mediterranean Sun Lines) who renamed her the Atalante. Atalante was extensively refitted for low fare cruising in the Mediterranean, a role she became mildly popular carrying out.
The Atalante would be rebuilt again in 1978 and 1993, allowing her facilities and accommodations to be improved. After the Oceanos sank in 1991 Atalante was leased to the Epirotiki Lines, who renamed her Homericus. Her name was reverted to Atalante in 1992 and she was laid up. Later that year Atalante was purchased by Paradise Cruises. Paradise carried out her 1993 refit, which saw her superstructure extended and a showlounge added. She operated once again as a cruise ship, and her service prospered fairly successfully until scrap metal prices skyrocketed in summer 2004. Although she was in good condition, Atalante sailed to Alang, India in 2005, where she was beached and scrapped. Her sister Caledonien was scrapped in 1975.