Dream of Domination

Despite the considerable competition of the queenly Cunarders, the chic French liners and the efficient U.S. Lines, Italy dreams fondly of the day when its liners will dominate transatlantic passenger service. The state-owned Italian Line, which already ranks second on the North Atlantic run (after Cunard), is working hard to make that dream a reality. Hit by the loss of 31 of its 37 vessels in World War II and the national tragedy of the Andrea Doria disaster in 1956, it came back by building the Cristojoro Colombo and the Leonardo da Vinci in the 19505, six months ago launched the Michelangelo, a 43,000-ton superliner for the North Atlantic run. Last week, to the crash of band music and the splash of spumante, Michelangelo's twin, Raffaello, slid down the ways at Trieste. When the two ships go to work next year, replacing the prewar Saturnia and Vulcania, they will be the fastest liners on the New York-Mediterranean run, cutting the voyage to Naples from eight to seven days.

The twin launchings represent a $100 million gamble for the Italian Line. "I can see them building one ship," says a competitor. "But two? They're crazy." At a time when maritime operations are in trouble the world over and planes carry three times as many transatlantic passengers as ships, the Italian Line is already losing money on its North Atlantic run. But the line senses a trend in the 4.3% rise in transatlantic ship travel last year, believes that Americans, who make UP 65% of its passengers, have traveled to Europe often enough so that many are now willing to trade speed for luxury. "Airplanes will never replace ocean liners," says President Giuseppe Zuccoli. "The airplane satisfies only a need of time. The ship satisfies no less a need for comfort and relaxation."

Both Raffaello and Michelangelo will be among the most luxurious and comfortable passenger ships afloat. Each will carry 1,800 people (540 first class, 560 cabin, 700 tourist) in roomy cabins, have 30 salons and six swimming pools, closed-circuit TV, overall air conditioning and 18 elevators to serve eleven decks. (Still highly sensitive to the Andrea Doria disaster, the line has also installed extra watertight compartments and two modern radar systems.) The new ships' motto is ''Living like a lord." For passengers who find it hard to relax even amid such luxury, the Italian Line will offer special therapeutic treatments designed to calm nerves.

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