Renamed SS Atlantic, this ship became familiar to many American tourists during the 1960s, making cruises to the Caribbean and Mediterranean.

SS Badger Mariner was built as a 9,214 gross register ton cargo ship.

Upon acquiring the SS Badger Mariner in 1958, the American Banner Lines undertook an extensive conversion, turning the ship into a medium-sized passenger liner.

The conversion successfully masked the ship’s origins as a freighter, and gave her a modern, well-proportioned, though slightly boxy, profile.

Her funnel, in keeping with the American Export Lines livery, was marked by black, white, and buff stripes.

Between 1960 and 1967, SS Atlantic ran successful cruises between New York, Florida, and the Caribbean, stopping at St. Thomas, Jamaica and other destinations.

In January 1967, the SS Atlantic ran aground on a sand bar when leaving Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Florida on a seven-day Caribbean cruise.

Tugs required two days to dislodge the ship, which returned to Port Everglades without significant damage.

In 1971, the vessel was purchased by C. Y. Tung, was registered to Seawise Foundation, Inc., and was designated SS Universe Campus.

As a result of aging boilers, delayed sailings, and mounting repair bills, SS Universe was retired in 1995.