[1] The class of ship was specifically designed to be fast and reliable freighters and were ordered by the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Matson undertook a $60 million shipbuilding program which rebuilt her for Pacific Coast - Hawaii service.

From September 1988, the Monterey undertook Pacific cruises from her base port of San Francisco before being re-laid up in Honolulu on May 13, 1989.

[7] On October 1, 1995, the Monterey was absorbed into the newly created MSC Cruises by her final shipping company.

The Monterey was renamed Monte for her final voyage to India and reached Alang on November 3, 2006, where demolition of the 54-year-old ship began two days later.