She was launched by Cantieri Riuniti dell' Adriatico at Monfalcone on 5 August 1956, and delivered on 23 September 1957.

Ports of call were Trieste, Venice, Brindisi, Alexandria, Beirut, Piraeus and Bari.

She remained in service with her original owners until 1978, when she underwent a major refit that increased her passenger capacity from 529 to 690.

She remained in service with her new owners, Italia Crociere Internazionali, until 1998, when she was sold to the Cyprus-based Louis Cruise Lines.

Her parents Elias Sleiman Saikali and Harba (Naufal), later her name was registered as 'Azonia'.