"Five Stars Afloat" declared the Evening Chronicle headline.
When this proud vessel gracefully sailed out of the River Tyne 50 years ago, little did watching crowds know it was the end of an era. This was the luxury passenger cruise liner Vistafjord leaving after completing sea trials in April, 1973.
Built at Swan Hunter’s Neptune yard, the ship’s keel was laid in April 1971. The vessel was launched in May 1972 four months ahead of schedule, with work being finally completed a year later.
