8. Raffaello
The last great Italian ocean liner, Italian Line’s Raffaello, was launched on 24 March 1963. Like her near-twin sister ship, Michelangelo (launched the previous year), Raffaello was a floating projection of 1960s Italy. Think Fellini; hyperactive parties with strobbing lights; sexy women wearing sexy makeup in sexy evening gowns; tanned men in white dinner jackets, their bloodshot eyes hidden by sleek, dark sunglasses.
Recommended reading…
The Picture History of the Italian Line, 1932-1977
