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Updated Page. None of the ships have been in service since 2020. Four were scrapped and one was beached and shipwrecked.
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| Subclasses =
| Subclasses =
| Built range = 1975–1976
| Built range = 1975–1976
| In service range = 1975–present
| In service range = 1975–2020
| Total ships building =
| Total ships building =
| Total ships planned =
| Total ships planned =
| Total ships completed = 5
| Total ships completed = 5
| Total ships cancelled =
| Total ships cancelled =
| Total ships active = 2
| Total ships active =
| Total ships laid up =
| Total ships laid up =
| Total ships lost =
| Total ships lost = 1
| Total ships retired = 4
| Total ships retired = 3<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vanguardiaveracruz.mx/desguazaran-el-flotel-enchanteo-capri-en-coatzacoalcos/ |title=Desguazarán el flotel Enchanteo Capri en Coatzacoalcos |language=Spanish |work=Vanguardia de Veracruz |date=16 October 2020 |access-date=3 March 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022180109/https://www.vanguardiaveracruz.mx/desguazaran-el-flotel-enchanteo-capri-en-coatzacoalcos/ |archive-date=2020-10-22 }}</ref>
| Total ships preserved =
| Total ships preserved =
}}
}}
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The '''''Belorussiya''-class''' [[cruiseferry|cruiseferries]] (sometimes also referred to as the ''Gruziya'' class)<ref name=FofPlan /> were built by [[Wärtsilä]] [[Crichton-Vulcan|Turku Shipyard]], [[Finland]] in 1975–1976 for the [[Black Sea Shipping Company]], [[Soviet Union]]. The five ships in the class were originally used in ferry service around the [[Black Sea]]. During the 1980s all ships in the class were rebuilt into [[cruise ship]]s. During the end of the 1990s all ships in the class were sold to other operators.<ref name=Infoflot>{{cite web |url=http://www.sea.infoflot.ru/en/fleet/?class=1&grp=5 |title="Belorussija" class |accessdate=2008-03-04 |work=The Soviet Fleet |publisher=Infoflot.ru |language=Russian |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305223442/http://www.sea.infoflot.ru/en/fleet/?class=1&grp=5 |archivedate=5 March 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> As of 2008, at least four ships in this class were in service.<ref name=FofBelorussiya /><ref name=FofGruziya>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/gruziya_1975.htm|title=M/S Gruziya (1975) |accessdate=2008-03-04 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref><ref name=FofAzerbaihzan>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/azerbaihzan_1975.htm |title=M/S Azerbaihzan (1975) |accessdate=2008-03-04 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref><ref name=FofKazakhstan>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/kazakhstan_1976.htm |title=M/S Kazakhstan (1976) |accessdate=2008-03-04 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref><ref name=FofKareliya>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/kareliya_1976.htm |title=M/S Kareliya (1976) |accessdate=2008-03-04 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref> The effects of the new [[International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea|SOLAS]] regulations that came into effect in 2010 remain unknown.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruisecritic.com/features/articles.cfm?ID=488 |title=2010 SOLAS Deadline Looms For Older Ships |accessdate=2008-03-05 |date=2007-06-20 |format= |last=Scull |first=Theodore W. |publisher=Cruise Critic }}{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
The '''''Belorussiya''-class''' was a class of [[cruiseferry|cruiseferries]] (sometimes also referred to as the ''Gruziya'' class)<ref name=FofPlan /> that were built by [[Wärtsilä]] [[Crichton-Vulcan|Turku Shipyard]], [[Finland]] in 1975–1976 for the [[Black Sea Shipping Company]], [[Soviet Union]]. The five ships in the class were originally used in cruiseferry service around the [[Black Sea]]. During the 1980s all ships in the class were rebuilt into [[cruise ship]]s. During the end of the 1990s all ships in the class were sold to other operators.<ref name=Infoflot>{{cite web |url=http://www.sea.infoflot.ru/en/fleet/?class=1&grp=5 |title="Belorussija" class |accessdate=2008-03-04 |work=The Soviet Fleet |publisher=Infoflot.ru |language=Russian |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305223442/http://www.sea.infoflot.ru/en/fleet/?class=1&grp=5 |archivedate=5 March 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The remaining ships in this class ended service in 2020. All ships as of 2022 have been scrapped except for the Enchanted Capri, which was shipwrecked on the Gulf coast of Mexico and only has partially been dismantled. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Voytenko |first1=Mikhail |title=Former Soviet cruise liner, now a ghost ship, decaying in Gulf of Mexico |url=https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2021/36717/former-soviet-cruise-liner-now-ghost-ship-decaying/ |website=FleetMon |access-date=13 November 2022}}</ref><ref name=FofBelorussiya /><ref name=FofGruziya>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/gruziya_1975.htm|title=M/S Gruziya (1975) |accessdate=2008-03-04 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref><ref name=FofAzerbaihzan>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/azerbaihzan_1975.htm |title=M/S Azerbaihzan (1975) |accessdate=2008-03-04 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref><ref name=FofKazakhstan>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/kazakhstan_1976.htm |title=M/S Kazakhstan (1976) |accessdate=2008-03-04 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref><ref name=FofKareliya>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/kareliya_1976.htm |title=M/S Kareliya (1976) |accessdate=2008-03-04 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref>


==Concept and construction==
==Concept and construction==
During the early 1970s, the [[Black Sea Shipping Company]] of the [[Soviet Union]] decided to order five cruiseferries to be used on domestic traffic around the [[Black Sea]].<ref name=Infoflot /> Instead of having the ships built domestically or ordering them from [[Comecon]] member states, the new ships were ordered from the [[Wärtsilä]] shipyards in [[Neutral country|neutral]] [[Finland]].
During the early 1970s, the [[Black Sea Shipping Company]] of the [[Soviet Union]] decided to order five cruiseferries to be used on domestic traffic around the [[Black Sea]].<ref name=Infoflot /> Instead of having the ships built domestically or ordering them from [[Comecon]] member states, the new ships were ordered from the [[Wärtsilä]] shipyards in [[Neutral country|neutral]] [[Finland]].


The ''Belorussiya''-class ships were built to the same standards of technology and passenger comfort as the cruiseferries built in the western world at the time.<ref name=Infoflot /> They were also amongst the largest cruiseferries of their time, surpassing the largest cruiseferries built in the west at the same time ({{MS|Tor Britannia}} and {{MS|Tor Scandinavia}}) in terms of [[gross register ton]]nage.<ref name=FofBelorussiya /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/tor_britannia_1975.htm |title=M/S Tor Britannia (1975) |accessdate=2008-03-04 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/tor_scandinavia_1976.htm |title=M/S Tor Scandinavia (1976) |accessdate=2008-03-04 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=Swedish }}</ref>
The ''Belorussiya''-class ships were built to the same standards of technology and passenger comfort as the cruiseferries built in the western world at the time.<ref name=Infoflot /> They were also amongst the largest cruiseferries of their time, surpassing the largest cruiseferries built in the west at the same time ({{MS|Tor Britannia}} and {{MS|Tor Scandinavia}}) in terms of [[gross register ton]]nage.<ref name=FofBelorussiya />


When the ''Belorussiya''-class ships entered service, it soon turned out their car-carrying capacity was too small in comparison with their passenger-carrying capacity. Due to their high standards of passenger accommodation, it was decided that instead of rebuildings the ships with larger car-decks, they would be converted into [[cruise ship]]s with minimal car-carrying facilities.<ref name=Infoflot /> Between 1981 and 1988 all ships in the class were rebuilt at West German or British shipyards,<ref name=FofBelorussiya /><ref name=FofGruziya /><ref name=FofAzerbaihzan /><ref name=FofKazakhstan /><ref name=FofKareliya /><ref name=Miller56>Miller (1995). p. 56.</ref> with the car decks built in with cabins and additional public spaces, and the forward [[superstructure]] slightly expanded.<ref name=Infoflot />
When the ''Belorussiya''-class ships entered service, it soon turned out their car-carrying capacity was too small in comparison with their passenger-carrying capacity. Due to their high standards of passenger accommodation, it was decided that instead of rebuilding the ships with larger car-decks, they would be converted into [[cruise ship]]s with minimal car-carrying facilities.<ref name=Infoflot /> Between 1981 and 1988 all ships in the class were rebuilt at West German or British shipyards,<ref name=FofBelorussiya /><ref name=FofGruziya /><ref name=FofAzerbaihzan /><ref name=FofKazakhstan /><ref name=FofKareliya /><ref name=Miller56>Miller (1995). p. 56.</ref> with the car decks built in with cabins and additional public spaces, and the forward [[superstructure]] slightly expanded.<ref name=Infoflot />


Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the sale of the ''Belorussiya''-class ships to different operators around the world, some of the ships have received further rebuildings.<ref name=FofBelorussiya /><ref name=FofGruziya />
Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the sale of the ''Belorussiya''-class ships to different operators around the world, some of the ships have received further rebuildings.<ref name=FofBelorussiya /><ref name=FofGruziya />
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{{for|more information|MV Delphin}}
{{for|more information|MV Delphin}}


The ''Belorussiya'' was launched on 6 March 1974 and delivered on 15 January 1975. She was named after the [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic]]. The ''Belorussiya'' was rebuilt into a cruise ship in 1986 at [[Lloyd Werft]], [[Bremerhaven]], West Germany. From 1987 until late 1992, ''Belorussiya'' was chartered by [[CTC Cruises]] to operate budget cruises from Sydney, Australia to ports in the south Pacific region. During this time, ''Belorussiya'' operated from Sydney during the Australian summer and in Europe for the rest of the year.<ref>Plowman, Peter (2007). ''Australian Cruise Ships.'' Rosenberg Publishing. p. 35. {{ISBN|1-877058-50-5}}</ref> On 25 October 1992, while in drydock in [[Singapore]], the ship developed a heavy [[List (watercraft)|list]] and filled with water. She was eventually floated out in January 1993 and sailed to Lloyd Werft, where her interiors were entirely rebuilt. On completion of the refit on 9 December 1993 she was renamed ''Kazakhstan II''.<ref name=FofBelorussiya /><ref name=Miller20 /> From 22 December 1993 onwards she was chartered to [[Delphin Seereisen]], [[Germany]]. In June 1995 she was sold to [[Lady Lou Shipping Co]], [[Cyprus]]. In May 1996 Delphin Seereisen purchased the vessel and renamed her ''Delphin''.<ref name=FofBelorussiya /> As of 2009, ''Delphin'' is in service with Hansa Kreuzfahrten in Germany.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hansakreuzfahrten.de/Ueber_Hansa/Hansa_cruises.html |title=Hansa Kreuzfahrten |accessdate=2009-03-14 |publisher=Hansa Kreuzfarhten |language=German }}</ref>
The ''Belorussiya'' was launched on 6 March 1974 and delivered on 15 January 1975. She was named after the [[Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic]]. The ''Belorussiya'' was rebuilt into a cruise ship in 1986 at [[Lloyd Werft]], [[Bremerhaven]], West Germany. From 1987 until late 1992, ''Belorussiya'' was chartered by [[CTC Cruises]] to operate budget cruises from Sydney, Australia to ports in the south Pacific region. During this time, ''Belorussiya'' operated from Sydney during the Australian summer and in Europe for the rest of the year.<ref>Plowman, Peter (2007). ''Australian Cruise Ships.'' Rosenberg Publishing. p. 35. {{ISBN|1-877058-50-5}}</ref> On 25 October 1992, while in drydock in [[Singapore]], the ship developed a heavy [[List (watercraft)|list]] and filled with water. She was eventually floated out in January 1993 and sailed to Lloyd Werft, where her interiors were entirely rebuilt. On completion of the refit on 9 December 1993 she was renamed ''Kazakhstan II''.<ref name=FofBelorussiya /><ref name=Miller20 /> From 22 December 1993 onwards she was chartered to [[Delphin Seereisen]], [[Germany]]. In June 1995 she was sold to [[Lady Lou Shipping Co]], [[Cyprus]]. In May 1996 Delphin Seereisen purchased the vessel and renamed her ''Delphin''.<ref name=FofBelorussiya /> The ship stopped operating for passenger service by 2010. The ship was moved to Rijeka, Croatia to be an accommodation ship for shipyard workers until 2017. The ship was laid up and later sold for scrap in 2022. The ship was later beached and has since been scrapped in Aliaga, Turkey within the same year. <ref>{{cite web |title=End of the road for the Delphin, as former Soviet cruise ship sold for scrap |url=http://www.latecruisenews.com/2022/04/18/end-of-the-road-for-the-delphin-as-former-soviet-cruise-ship-sold-for-scrap/ |website=LatestCruseNews.com |access-date=13 November 2022}}</ref>


===''Gruziya''===
===''Gruziya''===
{{for|more information|MS Salamis Filoxenia}}
{{for|more information|MS Salamis Filoxenia}}


The ''Gruziya'' was launched on 18 October 1974 and delivered on 30 June 1975.<ref name=FofGruziya /> She was named after the [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic]]. The ''Gruziya'' was rebuilt into a cruise ship between 1984 or 1988, due to different sources stating different years.<ref name=FofGruziya /><ref name=Miller56 /> In 1995 she was transferred under the ownership of [[Blasco UK]], transferred under [[Liberia]]n flag and renamed ''Odeassa Sky''. On 26 August 1995 she was arrested in [[Montreal|Montreal, Quebec]], [[Canada]] and remained there for at least five months.<ref name=FofGruziya /><ref name=Newman>{{cite web |url=http://dougnewmanatsea.wordpress.com/2008/01/21/new-club-cruise-subsidiary-to-market-van-gogh-in-uk/ |title=New Club Cruise Subsidiary to Market Van Gogh in UK - Updated |accessdate=2008-03-05 |date=2008-01-21 |last=Newman |first=Doug |format= |work=At Sea with Doug Newman }}</ref> In August 1996 she reverted to Ukrainian flag. On 11 September 1996 she arrived at [[Wilhelmshaven]], Germany for engine inspection, but was subsequently arrested in the port of Wilhelmshaven due to unpaid debts of her owners. In August 1998 she was sold to the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] businessman [[Gerard van Leest]], and subsequently rebuilt in [[Bremerhaven]], Germany for cruise traffic. Renamed ''Club I'', the ship begun making short cruises from [[Rotterdam]] under the banner of [[Club Cruise]] in April 1999. In December 1999 she was renamed ''Van Gogh'' and chartered to [[Nouvelles Frontieres]].<ref name=FofGruziya /> She was later chartered to [[Travelscope]],<ref name=Ward /> without a change of name, until Travelscope went bankrupt in December 2007. Following the bankruptcy of Travelscope, Club Cruise established a new subsidiary, [[Van Gogh Cruises]] to operate the ''Van Gogh''.<ref name=Newman /> This was not a success and in 2009 the ship was sold to [[Salamis Lines]], Cyprus and renamed ''Salamis Filoxenia''.<ref name=FofGruziya />
The ''Gruziya'' was launched on 18 October 1974 and delivered on 30 June 1975.<ref name=FofGruziya /> She was named after the [[Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic]]. The ''Gruziya'' was rebuilt into a cruise ship between 1984 or 1988, due to different sources stating different years.<ref name=FofGruziya /><ref name=Miller56 /> In 1995 she was transferred under the ownership of [[Blasco UK]], transferred under [[Liberia]]n flag and renamed ''Odeassa Sky''. On 26 August 1995 she was arrested in [[Montreal|Montreal, Quebec]], [[Canada]] and remained there for at least five months.<ref name=FofGruziya /><ref name=Newman>{{cite web |url=http://dougnewmanatsea.wordpress.com/2008/01/21/new-club-cruise-subsidiary-to-market-van-gogh-in-uk/ |title=New Club Cruise Subsidiary to Market Van Gogh in UK - Updated |accessdate=2008-03-05 |date=2008-01-21 |last=Newman |first=Doug |format= |work=At Sea with Doug Newman }}</ref> In August 1996 she reverted to Ukrainian flag. On 11 September 1996 she arrived at [[Wilhelmshaven]], Germany for engine inspection, but was subsequently arrested in the port of Wilhelmshaven due to unpaid debts of her owners. In August 1998 she was sold to the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] businessman [[Gerard van Leest]], and subsequently rebuilt in [[Bremerhaven]], Germany for cruise traffic. Renamed ''Club I'', the ship begun making short cruises from [[Rotterdam]] under the banner of [[Club Cruise]] in April 1999. In December 1999 she was renamed ''Van Gogh'' and chartered to [[Nouvelles Frontieres]].<ref name=FofGruziya /> She was later chartered to [[Travelscope]],<ref name=Ward /> without a change of name, until Travelscope went bankrupt in December 2007. Following the bankruptcy of Travelscope, Club Cruise established a new subsidiary, [[Van Gogh Cruises]] to operate the ''Van Gogh''.<ref name=Newman /> This was not a success and in 2009 the ship was sold to [[Salamis Lines]], Cyprus and renamed ''Salamis Filoxenia''.<ref name=FofGruziya /> The ship remained in service until 2020 when the financial strain from the [[COVID-19 Pandemic]] shutdown caused the ship's operator to end cruise operations and sell the ship for scrap.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dubai-based ship trader buys Salamis Lines sole cruise ship |url=https://cruise-arabia.com/2022/02/13/dubai-based-ship-trader-buys-salamis-lines-sole-cruise-ship/ |website=Cruise Arabia & Africa |access-date=13 November 2022}}</ref> The ship was beached in Gadani, Pakistan on April 17, 2022 under the name ''Titan''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Titan |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ships/shipid:7060069/mmsi:-7359400/imo:7359400/vessel:TITAN |website=Maritime Traffic |access-date=13 November 2022}}</ref>


===''Azerbaizhan''===
===''Azerbaizhan''===
{{for|more information|MS Enchanted Capri}}
{{for|more information|MS Enchanted Capri}}


The ''Azerbaizhan'' was launched on 14 April 1975 and delivered on 18 December 1975. She was named after the [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic]]. The ''Azerbaizhan'' was converted to a cruise ship at Lloyd Werft, West Germany in 1986.<ref name=FofAzerbaihzan /><ref>Miller (1995). p. 14</ref> In early 1996 she was transferred under the ownership of [[Blasco UK]], transferred under [[Liberia]]n flag and renamed ''Arkadia'', but already in July 1996 she reverted to Ukrainian flag. In 1997 she was chartered to [[SeaEscape]], [[United States]] under the name ''Island Holiday''.<ref name=FofAzerbaihzan /> In 1998 she was chartered to [[Commodore Cruise Lines]] and renamed ''Enchanted Capri''.<ref name=FofAzerbaihzan /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/CommodoreCruiseLine.html |title=Commodore Cruise Line |accessdate=2008-03-05 |last=Boyle |first=Ian |work=Simplon Postcards | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080302190348/http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/CommodoreCruiseLine.html| archivedate= 2 March 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> In 2001 she was laid up, until chartered to Señor Demar of [[Mexico]] in 2003. Demar purchased the ship on 1 November 2006.<ref name=FofAzerbaihzan /> She grounded at [[Alvarado, Veracruz|Alvarado]] in 2020.
The ''Azerbaizhan'' was launched on 14 April 1975 and delivered on 18 December 1975. She was named after the [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic]]. The ''Azerbaizhan'' was converted to a cruise ship at Lloyd Werft, West Germany in 1986.<ref name=FofAzerbaihzan /><ref>Miller (1995). p. 14</ref> In early 1996 she was transferred under the ownership of [[Blasco UK]], transferred under [[Liberia]]n flag and renamed ''Arkadia'', but already in July 1996 she reverted to Ukrainian flag. In 1997 she was chartered to [[SeaEscape]], [[United States]] under the name ''Island Holiday''.<ref name=FofAzerbaihzan /> In 1998 she was chartered to [[Commodore Cruise Lines]] and renamed ''Enchanted Capri''.<ref name=FofAzerbaihzan /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/CommodoreCruiseLine.html |title=Commodore Cruise Line |accessdate=2008-03-05 |last=Boyle |first=Ian |work=Simplon Postcards | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080302190348/http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/CommodoreCruiseLine.html| archivedate= 2 March 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref> In 2001 she was laid up, until chartered to Señor Demar of [[Mexico]] in 2003. Demar purchased the ship on 1 November 2006.<ref name=FofAzerbaihzan /> The ship was sold in late 2020 with the intentions of being broken up for scrap. <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vanguardiaveracruz.mx/desguazaran-el-flotel-enchanteo-capri-en-coatzacoalcos/ |title=Desguazarán el flotel Enchanteo Capri en Coatzacoalcos |language=Spanish |work=Vanguardia de Veracruz |date=16 October 2020 |access-date=3 March 2021 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022180109/https://www.vanguardiaveracruz.mx/desguazaran-el-flotel-enchanteo-capri-en-coatzacoalcos/ |archive-date=2020-10-22 }}</ref> While being towed from Coatzacoalcos the ship broke loose and was grounded at [[Alvarado, Veracruz|Alvarado]] in October of 2020. The ship was not refloated and became wrecked after it split into two and was subject to damage from rough waves. As of mid-2022 the wreck is still present and has been partially demolished. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Voytenko |first1=Mikhail |title=Former Soviet cruise liner, now a ghost ship, decaying in Gulf of Mexico |url=https://www.fleetmon.com/maritime-news/2021/36717/former-soviet-cruise-liner-now-ghost-ship-decaying/ |website=FleetMon |access-date=13 November 2022}}</ref>


===''Kazakhstan''===
===''Kazakhstan''===
The ''Kazakhstan'' was launched on 17 October 1975 and delivered in June 1976. She was named after the [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic]]. The ''Kazakhstan'' was converted to a cruise ship at Lloyd Werft, West Germany in 1984.<ref name=FofKazakhstan /><ref>Miller (1995). p. 64</ref> In December 1994 she was transferred under the ownership of [[Blasco UK]], transferred under [[Liberia]]n flag and renamed ''Ukraina''. On 2 September 1996 she was chartered to [[Royal Seas Cruises Lines]], reverted to Ukrainian flag and used for cruising from [[Tampa]].<ref name=FofKazakhstan /> After the end of charter in January 1997 she reverted to the name ''Ukraina'' and was chartered to [[SeaEscape]]. On 13 February 1998 she was renamed ''Island Adventure'' but continued service with SeaEscape until the company ceased operations in August 2008.<ref name=FofKazakhstan /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SeaEscape.html#anchor559493 |title=Ukraina (SeaEscape: 1996-1998) - Island Adventure (SeaEscape: 1998- ) |accessdate=2008-03-05 |last=Boyle |first=Ian |work=Simplon Postcards | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080225013325/http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SeaEscape.html| archivedate= 25 February 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI99844/ |title=WSVN-TV - Sea Escape cruise ship heads to auction block |website=www.wsvn.com |access-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209141641/http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI99844/ |archive-date=9 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The ship never re-entered service and was sold for scrap in 2011. In January 2012, the ship was photographed beached in Alang, India. By early March, most of the forward section of the ship has been removed.
The ''Kazakhstan'' was launched on 17 October 1975 and delivered in June 1976. She was named after the [[Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic]]. The ''Kazakhstan'' was converted to a cruise ship at Lloyd Werft, West Germany in 1984.<ref name=FofKazakhstan /><ref>Miller (1995). p. 64</ref> In December 1994 she was transferred under the ownership of [[Blasco UK]], transferred under [[Liberia]]n flag and renamed ''Ukraina''. On 2 September 1996 she was chartered to [[Royal Seas Cruises Lines]], reverted to Ukrainian flag and used for cruising from [[Tampa]].<ref name=FofKazakhstan /> After the end of charter in January 1997 she reverted to the name ''Ukraina'' and was chartered to [[SeaEscape]]. On 13 February 1998 she was renamed ''Island Adventure'' but continued service with SeaEscape until the company ceased operations in August 2008.<ref name=FofKazakhstan /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SeaEscape.html#anchor559493 |title=Ukraina (SeaEscape: 1996-1998) - Island Adventure (SeaEscape: 1998- ) |accessdate=2008-03-05 |last=Boyle |first=Ian |work=Simplon Postcards | archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080225013325/http://www.simplonpc.co.uk/SeaEscape.html| archivedate= 25 February 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI99844/ |title=WSVN-TV - Sea Escape cruise ship heads to auction block |website=www.wsvn.com |access-date=6 June 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130209141641/http://www.wsvn.com/news/articles/local/MI99844/ |archive-date=9 February 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The ship never re-entered service and was sold for scrap in 2011. The ship was scrapped in Alang, India in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Knego |first1=Peter |title=ADVENTURE (ex KAZAKHSTAN, ISLAND ADVENTURE etc.) |url=https://www.midshipcentury.com/gallery?lightbox=i01blu |website=MidShipCentury |access-date=13 November 2022}}</ref>


===''Kareliya''===
===''Kareliya''===
The ''Kareliya'' was launched on 14 April 1976 and delivered in December 1976.<ref name=FofKareliya /> She was the only ''Belorussiya'' class ship not named after a [[Soviet Socialist Republic]] ([[Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Karelia]] being an [[Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] at the time). On 1 June 1981 she was grounded while on a cruise near [[Arrecife]], [[Canary Isles]], and her passengers had to be evacuated. Following the grounding she sailed to [[River Tyne|Tyne]], [[United Kingdom]] for repairs. In addition to repairs the chance was taken to convert her into a cruise ship. The ''Kareliya'' received a more extensive expansion of her forward superstructure than her other sisters. In December 1982 the ''Kareliya'' was renamed ''Leonid Brezhnev'' in honour of the recently-deceased long-time [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] [[Leonid Brezhnev]]. In 1989 the ship reverted to her original name.<ref name=FofKareliya /><ref>Miller (1995). p. 63</ref>
The ''Kareliya'' was launched on 14 April 1976 and delivered in December 1976.<ref name=FofKareliya /> She was the only ''Belorussiya'' class ship not named after a [[Soviet Socialist Republic]] ([[Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic|Karelia]] being an [[Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic]] at the time). On 1 June 1981 she was grounded while on a cruise near [[Arrecife]], [[Canary Isles]], and her passengers had to be evacuated. Following the grounding she sailed to [[River Tyne|Tyne]], [[United Kingdom]] for repairs. In addition to repairs the chance was taken to convert her into a cruise ship. The ''Kareliya'' received a more extensive expansion of her forward superstructure than her other sisters. In December 1982 the ''Kareliya'' was renamed ''Leonid Brezhnev'' in honour of the recently-deceased long-time [[General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union]] [[Leonid Brezhnev]]. In 1989 the ship reverted to her original name.<ref name=FofKareliya /><ref>Miller (1995). p. 63</ref>


In 1995 the ''Kareliya'' was transferred to [[Maddock Trading]] and re-flagged to [[Liberia]]. In 1996 she reverted to Ukrainian flag. On 17 March 1997 she was arrested at [[Nouméa]] due to debts of her owners. In May 1998 she was sold to [[Kaalbye Group]], renamed ''Olvia'' and moved back under the Liberian flag. On 17 September 2001 she was sold to [[K&O Shipping]] and used for service with [[Peace Boat]]. On 20 December 2004 she was renamed ''Neptune'', on 14 April 2005 ''CT Neptune'' and on 27 May 2006 she reverted to ''Neptune''. Subsequently, she was sold to [[Walden Maritime]] and used for [[Gambling ship|casino cruising]] out of [[Hong Kong]]. The ship was sold for scrap in 2021.<ref name=FofKareliya />
In 1995 the ''Kareliya'' was transferred to [[Maddock Trading]] and re-flagged to [[Liberia]]. In 1996 she reverted to Ukrainian flag. On 17 March 1997 she was arrested at [[Nouméa]] due to debts of her owners. In May 1998 she was sold to [[Kaalbye Group]], renamed ''Olvia'' and moved back under the Liberian flag. On 17 September 2001 she was sold to [[K&O Shipping]] and used for service with [[Peace Boat]]. On 20 December 2004 she was renamed ''Neptune'', on 14 April 2005 ''CT Neptune'' and on 27 May 2006 she reverted to ''Neptune''. Subsequently, she was sold to [[Walden Maritime]] and used for [[Gambling ship|casino cruising]] out of [[Hong Kong]]. The ship was sold to China International in 2011 and renamed the ''Starry Metropolis'' continuing to sail as a gambling ship. Due to the [[COVID-19 Pandemic]] shutdown in 2020, the ship was in debt and was sold for scrap on March 25, 2021. It was the last casino ship to operate out of Hong Kong, China. <ref>{{cite web |last1=Boonzaier |first1=Jonathan |title=Recycling interests emerge as auction buyers of Hong Kong’s last casino cruiseship |url=https://www.tradewindsnews.com/cruise-and-ferry/recycling-interests-emerge-as-auction-buyers-of-hong-kong-s-last-casino-cruiseship/2-1-990804 |website=TradeWinds |access-date=13 November 2022}}</ref> The ship was beached in Alang, India on June 14, 2021 and has been since broken up for scrap.<ref>{{cite web |title=STARRY METROPOLIS |url=https://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Ships/Starry-Metropolis-7359498.html |website=VesselTracker.com |access-date=13 November 2022}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 22:41, 13 November 2022

Delphin in Helsinki
Delphin in Helsinki South Harbour, May 2009
Class overview
BuildersWärtsilä Turku Shipyard, Turku, Finland
OperatorsNumerous
Built1975–1976
In service1975–2020
Completed5
Lost1
Retired4
General characteristics (as built)[1]
TypeCruiseferry
Tonnage
Length156.27 m (512 ft 8 in)
Beam22.05 m (72 ft 4 in)
Draught5.90 m (19 ft 4 in)
Depth16.31 m (53 ft 6 in)[5]
Decks9[3][4]
Ice classICE-C[6]
Installed power
PropulsionTwo propellers[2]
Speed21.50 knots (39.82 km/h; 24.74 mph)
Capacity
  • 872 passengers[5]
  • 480 passenger berths[5]
  • 256 cars
Crew216[5]

The Belorussiya-class was a class of cruiseferries (sometimes also referred to as the Gruziya class)[3] that were built by Wärtsilä Turku Shipyard, Finland in 1975–1976 for the Black Sea Shipping Company, Soviet Union. The five ships in the class were originally used in cruiseferry service around the Black Sea. During the 1980s all ships in the class were rebuilt into cruise ships. During the end of the 1990s all ships in the class were sold to other operators.[7] The remaining ships in this class ended service in 2020. All ships as of 2022 have been scrapped except for the Enchanted Capri, which was shipwrecked on the Gulf coast of Mexico and only has partially been dismantled. [8][1][9][10][11][12]

Concept and construction

During the early 1970s, the Black Sea Shipping Company of the Soviet Union decided to order five cruiseferries to be used on domestic traffic around the Black Sea.[7] Instead of having the ships built domestically or ordering them from Comecon member states, the new ships were ordered from the Wärtsilä shipyards in neutral Finland.

The Belorussiya-class ships were built to the same standards of technology and passenger comfort as the cruiseferries built in the western world at the time.[7] They were also amongst the largest cruiseferries of their time, surpassing the largest cruiseferries built in the west at the same time (MS Tor Britannia and MS Tor Scandinavia) in terms of gross register tonnage.[1]

When the Belorussiya-class ships entered service, it soon turned out their car-carrying capacity was too small in comparison with their passenger-carrying capacity. Due to their high standards of passenger accommodation, it was decided that instead of rebuilding the ships with larger car-decks, they would be converted into cruise ships with minimal car-carrying facilities.[7] Between 1981 and 1988 all ships in the class were rebuilt at West German or British shipyards,[1][9][10][11][12][13] with the car decks built in with cabins and additional public spaces, and the forward superstructure slightly expanded.[7]

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union and the sale of the Belorussiya-class ships to different operators around the world, some of the ships have received further rebuildings.[1][9]

Service history

During their career under the Soviet flag, the Belorussiya-class ships were used on domestic traffic between Crimea and the Caucasus, as well as considerable cruising both for Soviet passengers as well as under charter to travel companies outside the Eastern Bloc.[7] Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the ships were initially transferred under Ukrainian flag,[14] then towards the end of the 1990s they were transferred under various flags of convenience but soon afterwards sold off to other operators.[7]

The ships

Belorussiya

For more information, see MV Delphin.

The Belorussiya was launched on 6 March 1974 and delivered on 15 January 1975. She was named after the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. The Belorussiya was rebuilt into a cruise ship in 1986 at Lloyd Werft, Bremerhaven, West Germany. From 1987 until late 1992, Belorussiya was chartered by CTC Cruises to operate budget cruises from Sydney, Australia to ports in the south Pacific region. During this time, Belorussiya operated from Sydney during the Australian summer and in Europe for the rest of the year.[15] On 25 October 1992, while in drydock in Singapore, the ship developed a heavy list and filled with water. She was eventually floated out in January 1993 and sailed to Lloyd Werft, where her interiors were entirely rebuilt. On completion of the refit on 9 December 1993 she was renamed Kazakhstan II.[1][2] From 22 December 1993 onwards she was chartered to Delphin Seereisen, Germany. In June 1995 she was sold to Lady Lou Shipping Co, Cyprus. In May 1996 Delphin Seereisen purchased the vessel and renamed her Delphin.[1] The ship stopped operating for passenger service by 2010. The ship was moved to Rijeka, Croatia to be an accommodation ship for shipyard workers until 2017. The ship was laid up and later sold for scrap in 2022. The ship was later beached and has since been scrapped in Aliaga, Turkey within the same year. [16]

Gruziya

For more information, see MS Salamis Filoxenia.

The Gruziya was launched on 18 October 1974 and delivered on 30 June 1975.[9] She was named after the Georgian Soviet Socialist Republic. The Gruziya was rebuilt into a cruise ship between 1984 or 1988, due to different sources stating different years.[9][13] In 1995 she was transferred under the ownership of Blasco UK, transferred under Liberian flag and renamed Odeassa Sky. On 26 August 1995 she was arrested in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and remained there for at least five months.[9][17] In August 1996 she reverted to Ukrainian flag. On 11 September 1996 she arrived at Wilhelmshaven, Germany for engine inspection, but was subsequently arrested in the port of Wilhelmshaven due to unpaid debts of her owners. In August 1998 she was sold to the Dutch businessman Gerard van Leest, and subsequently rebuilt in Bremerhaven, Germany for cruise traffic. Renamed Club I, the ship begun making short cruises from Rotterdam under the banner of Club Cruise in April 1999. In December 1999 she was renamed Van Gogh and chartered to Nouvelles Frontieres.[9] She was later chartered to Travelscope,[4] without a change of name, until Travelscope went bankrupt in December 2007. Following the bankruptcy of Travelscope, Club Cruise established a new subsidiary, Van Gogh Cruises to operate the Van Gogh.[17] This was not a success and in 2009 the ship was sold to Salamis Lines, Cyprus and renamed Salamis Filoxenia.[9] The ship remained in service until 2020 when the financial strain from the COVID-19 Pandemic shutdown caused the ship's operator to end cruise operations and sell the ship for scrap.[18] The ship was beached in Gadani, Pakistan on April 17, 2022 under the name Titan.[19]

Azerbaizhan

For more information, see MS Enchanted Capri.

The Azerbaizhan was launched on 14 April 1975 and delivered on 18 December 1975. She was named after the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. The Azerbaizhan was converted to a cruise ship at Lloyd Werft, West Germany in 1986.[10][20] In early 1996 she was transferred under the ownership of Blasco UK, transferred under Liberian flag and renamed Arkadia, but already in July 1996 she reverted to Ukrainian flag. In 1997 she was chartered to SeaEscape, United States under the name Island Holiday.[10] In 1998 she was chartered to Commodore Cruise Lines and renamed Enchanted Capri.[10][21] In 2001 she was laid up, until chartered to Señor Demar of Mexico in 2003. Demar purchased the ship on 1 November 2006.[10] The ship was sold in late 2020 with the intentions of being broken up for scrap. [22] While being towed from Coatzacoalcos the ship broke loose and was grounded at Alvarado in October of 2020. The ship was not refloated and became wrecked after it split into two and was subject to damage from rough waves. As of mid-2022 the wreck is still present and has been partially demolished. [23]

Kazakhstan

The Kazakhstan was launched on 17 October 1975 and delivered in June 1976. She was named after the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic. The Kazakhstan was converted to a cruise ship at Lloyd Werft, West Germany in 1984.[11][24] In December 1994 she was transferred under the ownership of Blasco UK, transferred under Liberian flag and renamed Ukraina. On 2 September 1996 she was chartered to Royal Seas Cruises Lines, reverted to Ukrainian flag and used for cruising from Tampa.[11] After the end of charter in January 1997 she reverted to the name Ukraina and was chartered to SeaEscape. On 13 February 1998 she was renamed Island Adventure but continued service with SeaEscape until the company ceased operations in August 2008.[11][25][26] The ship never re-entered service and was sold for scrap in 2011. The ship was scrapped in Alang, India in 2012.[27]

Kareliya

The Kareliya was launched on 14 April 1976 and delivered in December 1976.[12] She was the only Belorussiya class ship not named after a Soviet Socialist Republic (Karelia being an Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic at the time). On 1 June 1981 she was grounded while on a cruise near Arrecife, Canary Isles, and her passengers had to be evacuated. Following the grounding she sailed to Tyne, United Kingdom for repairs. In addition to repairs the chance was taken to convert her into a cruise ship. The Kareliya received a more extensive expansion of her forward superstructure than her other sisters. In December 1982 the Kareliya was renamed Leonid Brezhnev in honour of the recently-deceased long-time General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Leonid Brezhnev. In 1989 the ship reverted to her original name.[12][28]

In 1995 the Kareliya was transferred to Maddock Trading and re-flagged to Liberia. In 1996 she reverted to Ukrainian flag. On 17 March 1997 she was arrested at Nouméa due to debts of her owners. In May 1998 she was sold to Kaalbye Group, renamed Olvia and moved back under the Liberian flag. On 17 September 2001 she was sold to K&O Shipping and used for service with Peace Boat. On 20 December 2004 she was renamed Neptune, on 14 April 2005 CT Neptune and on 27 May 2006 she reverted to Neptune. Subsequently, she was sold to Walden Maritime and used for casino cruising out of Hong Kong. The ship was sold to China International in 2011 and renamed the Starry Metropolis continuing to sail as a gambling ship. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic shutdown in 2020, the ship was in debt and was sold for scrap on March 25, 2021. It was the last casino ship to operate out of Hong Kong, China. [29] The ship was beached in Alang, India on June 14, 2021 and has been since broken up for scrap.[30]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Asklander, Micke. "M/S Belorussiya (1975)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  2. ^ a b Miller, William H. Jr. (1995). The Pictorial Encycpedia of Ocean Liners, 1860-1994. Mineola: Dover Publications. pp. 20. ISBN 0-486-28137-X.
  3. ^ a b Asklander, Micke. "Översiktsritning på Gruizya klass". Fakta om Fartyg. Archived from the original on 2008-05-24. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  4. ^ a b Ward, Douglas (2006). Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships. Singapore: Berlitz. pp. 621. ISBN 981-246-739-4.
  5. ^ a b c d "Belorussija". The Soviet Fleet. Infoflot.ru. Archived from the original on 2007-10-31. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  6. ^ "Van Gogh—summary (21933)". Vessel Register for DNV. DNV. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g ""Belorussija" class". The Soviet Fleet (in Russian). Infoflot.ru. Archived from the original on 5 March 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2008.
  8. ^ Voytenko, Mikhail. "Former Soviet cruise liner, now a ghost ship, decaying in Gulf of Mexico". FleetMon. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Asklander, Micke. "M/S Gruziya (1975)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  10. ^ a b c d e f Asklander, Micke. "M/S Azerbaihzan (1975)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  11. ^ a b c d e Asklander, Micke. "M/S Kazakhstan (1976)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  12. ^ a b c d Asklander, Micke. "M/S Kareliya (1976)". Fakta om Fartyg (in Swedish). Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  13. ^ a b Miller (1995). p. 56.
  14. ^ Miller (1995). pp. 14, 20, 56, 63-64.
  15. ^ Plowman, Peter (2007). Australian Cruise Ships. Rosenberg Publishing. p. 35. ISBN 1-877058-50-5
  16. ^ "End of the road for the Delphin, as former Soviet cruise ship sold for scrap". LatestCruseNews.com. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  17. ^ a b Newman, Doug (2008-01-21). "New Club Cruise Subsidiary to Market Van Gogh in UK - Updated". At Sea with Doug Newman. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  18. ^ "Dubai-based ship trader buys Salamis Lines sole cruise ship". Cruise Arabia & Africa. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  19. ^ "Titan". Maritime Traffic. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  20. ^ Miller (1995). p. 14
  21. ^ Boyle, Ian. "Commodore Cruise Line". Simplon Postcards. Archived from the original on 2 March 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  22. ^ "Desguazarán el flotel Enchanteo Capri en Coatzacoalcos". Vanguardia de Veracruz (in Spanish). 16 October 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-10-22. Retrieved 3 March 2021.
  23. ^ Voytenko, Mikhail. "Former Soviet cruise liner, now a ghost ship, decaying in Gulf of Mexico". FleetMon. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  24. ^ Miller (1995). p. 64
  25. ^ Boyle, Ian. "Ukraina (SeaEscape: 1996-1998) - Island Adventure (SeaEscape: 1998- )". Simplon Postcards. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008. Retrieved 2008-03-05.
  26. ^ "WSVN-TV - Sea Escape cruise ship heads to auction block". www.wsvn.com. Archived from the original on 9 February 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  27. ^ Knego, Peter. "ADVENTURE (ex KAZAKHSTAN, ISLAND ADVENTURE etc.)". MidShipCentury. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  28. ^ Miller (1995). p. 63
  29. ^ Boonzaier, Jonathan. "Recycling interests emerge as auction buyers of Hong Kong's last casino cruiseship". TradeWinds. Retrieved 13 November 2022.
  30. ^ "STARRY METROPOLIS". VesselTracker.com. Retrieved 13 November 2022.

External links

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