Launched in 1914, as a freighter named after the river Medina in USA, she was converted to a passenger ship named SS Roma in 1948. So from transporting onions as a freighter, she moved on to transporting pilgrims. Yet another change saw her being transformed in 1953 to become MS Franca C. Run by Costa Lines, she was the world’s first all-first-class passenger ship. Arguabily the most prominent part of her till-then history was when in 1977 she was purchased by Operation Mobilization, renamed MV Doulos, and in her thirty two years as MV Doulos, saw her claim the Guinness Book of Records accolade of being the world’s oldest active ocean going passenger ship. A new and vastly different chapter in her history saw her being retired from sailing in 2010, bought over by Biznaz Resources International Pte Ltd and being fully dry berthed to become a ship hotel. A rebirth, a new name, and a new mission. When she reopens her decks in 2019 in the lovely island of Bintan, Indonesia, at age 104 as DOULOS PHOS THE SHIP HOTEL, surely she will be the talk of the town all over again. A new chapter in the life of a truly remarkable ship.