Sample minimum one-way fares from Southampton to Cape Town: First class $588 Tourist class $269 from Southampton to Durban: First class $680 Tourist class $327 All fares are per person in U.S. A swimming pool and pool bar were on A-Deck and dining saloon on C-Deck. Most public rooms were on Promenade Deck, including a forward lounge, bar, gallery and smoking room. They were one-class vessels, which was more pleasant for the passengers who had full run of the ship. A third sister, Braemar Castle was withdrawn from service in 1965. The last ocean liners especially built for this "RA" run were the Rhodesia Castle and Kenya Castle. The route was cut back in 1962 to the east coast of Africa from London to Durban, where connections with the mail express ships on the west coast route could be made. The last passenger sailing on this historic route was completed in 1977.Īnother Union-Castle Line route provided passenger-cargo service completely around Africa via both the east and west coasts. Southbound holds were filled with general cargo, but gold, copper and fruit prevailed on the northbound run. It's relaxation and enjoyment all the way, backed up, of course, by the traditional, friendly Union-Castle service."įreight and mail had a very important role in the economics of the express service. You sail, in the main, through warm, sunlit seas. "The 6000 mile journey to or from South Africa can be a leisurely, refreshing holiday in itself. "Air/Sea Holidays" combined a one-way sea voyage with one-way by air and up to four weeks touring in South Africa plus a choice of other exotic African destinations such as Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Ethiopia and Mauritius. "Sea Safaris" included the round-trip from Southampton by sea plus two or three weeks touring in South Africa. S.A. Vaal was a one-class ship with a similar layout, but with a uniform standard of onboard services.Ī large selection of African vacation packages was arranged by Union-Castle Line with the long sea voyage and wildlife safaris as the centerpieces. A typical two-class deck plan aboard Windsor Castle, Pendennis Castle, Edinburgh Castle and S.A. Oranje included a separate lounge, smoking room, veranda cafe, dining room and swimming pool for each class. Tourist class was located aft and attracted migrants, students and budget tourists. Staterooms were in the forward part of the ship on the higher decks and included private facilities. Two new fast freighters were also required.įirst class aboard the mail ships was extremely spacious and provided fine cuisine and attentive service. The last two were built as Transvaal Castle and Pretoria Castle respectively and were transferred in 1966 to Safmarine South Africa while still managed by Union-Castle Line. Only seven ships were required instead of eight, which included Windsor Castle, Pendennis Castle, Edinburgh Castle, S.A. Vaal and S.A. Oranje. In July 1965, a faster schedule was introduced with sailings from Southampton every Friday, overall saving two days in each direction. This famous British shipping company traditionally linked England and South Africa via the "Cape Mail Express" service, with a sailing every Thursday at 4pm from Southampton taking 14 days to reach the first South African port. The Last Ocean Liners Union-Castle Line Windsor Castle / Pendennis Castle / Edinburgh Castle / S.A.
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