The Greek Line was founded in 1939 with the acquisition of the former SS Tuscania, renamed the Nea Hellas.

It operated transatlantic voyages until Greece entered World War II, becoming a troopship for the Allies.

The line continued to operate transatlantic and other short-to-long-distance voyages, but later began operating leisure cruises as the Jet Age replaced passenger ships as the means of transportation across the Atlantic Ocean.

In December 1963, Greek Line's cruise ship TSMS Lakonia caught fire and sank, killing 128 people.

The Queen Anna Maria ultimately became the Carnivale, which was the second ship to sail for the newly formed Carnival Cruise Lines, today one of the largest cruise lines in the world.