Franca C Costa LineBuilt: 1914 Gross tons: 6822 Length: 427ft (130m) Beam: 54ft (16m) Draft: 18ft (5m) Speed: 15kn Registry: Italy Passengers: 354 First Class
Acquired by Costa Line in 1953, she became a full time cruise ship in 1959 with 2 and 3-berth cabins (all with private facilities), complete air-conditioning and swimming pool on the extended Lido Deck. In a brilliant decision the company based their new winter cruise operation at Port Everglades. An enthusiastic Italian crew and wonderful Italian cuisine made life sweet aboard the Franca C. Originally a freighter Medina. After 1970, cruised only in Europe until sold in 1977 and renamed Doulos.
| SAILING SCHEDULE of Franca C - all sailings | |
|---|---|
| Franca C arrives Nov 5 on transatlantic voyage westbound from Genoa via Funchal, St. Thomas, Port-au-Prince & Kingston; departs on 11-day cruise to St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, La Guaira, Curacao, Nassau & Port Everglades. | Nov 6 |
| Franca C arrives from cruise; departs on 5-day cruise to Port-au-Prince, Port Antonio & Port Everglades. | Nov 17 |
| Franca C arrives Nov 22 from cruise; departs on 13-day cruise to St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada, La Guaira, Curacao, Port-au-Prince & Port Everglades. | Nov 23 |
| Franca C arrives Dec 6 from cruise; departs on 12-day cruise to San Juan, St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, La Guaira, Curacao, Port-au-Prince & Port Everglades. | Dec 7 |
| Franca C arrives Dec 19 from cruise; departs on 14-day cruise to San Juan, St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada, La Guaira, Curacao, Port-au-Prince & Port Everglades. | Dec 20 |
| Franca C arrives Jan 3 from cruise; departs on 5-day cruise to Port-au-Prince, Port Antonio & Port Everglades. | Jan 4 |
| Franca C arrives Jan 9 from cruise; departs on 13-day cruise to San Juan, St. Thomas, Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, La Guaira, Curacao, Nassau & Port Everglades. | Jan 11 |
| Franca C arrives Jan 24 from cruise; departs on 13-day cruise to St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada, La Guaira, Curacao, Port-au-Prince & Port Everglades. | Jan 25 |
| Franca C arrives Feb 7 from cruise; departs on 14-day cruise to San Juan, St. Thomas, Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, La Guaira, Curacao, Port-au-Prince, Nassau & Port Everglades. | Feb 8 |
| Franca C arrives from cruise; departs on 13-day cruise to San Juan, St. Thomas, Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, La Guaira, Curacao, Port-au-Prince & Port Everglades. | Feb 22 |
| Franca C arrives Mar 6 from cruise; departs on 13-day cruise to St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada, La Guaira, Curacao, Port-au-Prince & Port Everglades. | Mar 7 |
| Franca C arrives Mar 20 from cruise; departs on 8-day cruise to San Juan, St. Thomas, Port-au-Prince & Port Everglades. | Mar 21 |
| Franca C arrives Mar 29 from cruise; departs on 11-day cruise to St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, La Guaira, Curacao, Nassau & Port Everglades. | Mar 30 |
| Franca C arrives from cruise; departs on 7-day cruise to San Juan, St. Thomas & Port Everglades. | Apr 10 |
| Franca C arrives Apr 17 from cruise; departs on 13-day cruise to St. Thomas, Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada, La Guaira, Curacao, Port-au-Prince & Port Everglades. | Apr 18 |
| Franca C arrives May 1 from cruise; departs on 8-day cruise to San Juan, St. Thomas, Nassau & Port Everglades. | May 2 |
| Franca C arrives May 10 from cruise; departs on transatlantic voyage eastbound to San Juan, Madeira, Casablanca, Tangier, Barcelona, Cannes & Genoa. | May 11 |
