The MS Daphne was launched in October 1954 and completed in March 1955 by Swan, Hunter & Wigham Richardson (now Swan Hunter), a shipbuilding company based in Wallsend, England. Initially a refrigerated cargo ship (10.1 gross tons, 162m length, 21m beam, and 8m draught) for Port Line passenger and cargo shipping company (1914-1982), it was named Port Sydney and serviced the Great Britain-Australia-New Zealand sea route under the British flag.

In 1972, the vessel was acquired by the distinguished Greek shipping magnate John C. Carras (1907–1989) for his Chion Shipping Co. Ltd. It was subsequent placed under the Greek flag and renamed Akrotiri Express [Ακρωτήρι Εξπρές] with the intention of being converted into a car ferry for the Piraeus–Limassol line. However, in 1974, it underwent a refit as a medium-sized cruise ship, completed in 1975 at Chalkis shipyards, and was renamed Daphne for Carras’s newly established, but short-lived, Delian Cruises.

The Daphne made her maiden voyage in July 1975, initially sailing primarily in European waters. Notably, a unique 14-day 'Mediterranean Discovery’ voyage in November-December 1977 commenced in Athens and concluded in Lisbon, with calls at Santorini, Heraklion, Taormina (Sicily), Palma, Gibraltar, Tangiers, Casablanca, and Madeira. In 1978, the ship was chartered to the renowned Italian shipping company Lauro Lines (also known as Flotta Lauro Line, 1947-1989), and a year later, to the Italian cruise line Costa Cruises (founded in 1948) for a five-year period. By 1984, Carras’s Delian Cruises was deemed unviable due to a lack of regular cruises, leading to high port facility costs. Consequently, the Daphne was sold to Costa Cruises, operating in Alaska during the summer and the Caribbean in the winter until 1990. After several changes of ownership, the Daphne was seized at Souda in 2012 following the bankruptcy of its then-owner, Classic International Cruises. It was ultimately sold for scrap in Alang, India, in 2014.

The Daphne’s extensive 1975 refit was undertaken by the Danish conversion design specialists Knud E. Hansen (established in 1937). Her new layout and interior design were entrusted to the acclaimed Athens-based firm AMK (A&M Katzourakis, now AMK Architecture & Design), founded in 1973. This firm comprised a highly talented team of architects, interior designers, and graphic designers, such as Maria Terzoglou and Irene Philippides, led by the ‘patriarchs’ of Greek graphic design, Agni (born 1936) and Michalis Katzourakis (born 1933 in Alexandria). AMK, a highly specialised firm, built its unique reputation —not only by Greek but also by international standards— by insisting on overseeing the design and construction across all phases.

The cruise ship was designed to accommodate 400 to 500 passengers across approximately 232 en-suite cabins of various types, including luxury penthouse suites with private balconies, exterior superior deluxe suites with separate sitting rooms, exterior superior deluxe studios with separate sitting areas, and exterior/interior superior deluxe staterooms, featuring two beds set in an L-shaped configuration, creating a more open area suitable for entertaining guests. This marked a reduction from its standard capacity of up to 750-800 passengers, reflecting Delian Cruises’ focus on an upper-class clientele from Europe and the USA. These accommodations were distributed over four decks (Decks 3, 5, 6, and 7).

In total, the Daphne boasted seven decks, each named after a different Muse from Ancient Greek mythology:

• Thalia (Deck 1/Upper Deck): Six penthouse suites, each occupying an area of 35m2 with access to a private deck.

• Terpsichore (Deck 2/Bridge Deck): Featured a swimming pool, a discotheque, and a Lido deck (open-air bar) from bow to stern.

• Polyhymnia (Deck 3/Promenade Deck): Included cabins, a theatre/cinema, and a playroom from bow to stern.

• Euterpe (Deck 4): Housed the dining room, a dining veranda and a card room (port-bound), a shopping arcade and a library (starboard-bound), the main lounge, and a cocktail bar, from bow to stern.

• Erato (Deck 5/Main Deck): Primarily contained cabins.

• Clio (Deck 6): Contained cabins and the cruise office.

• Melpomene (Deck 7/Lower Deck): Featured a medical centre, cabins, a hairdresser, beauty and barber shop, and a gymnasium with sauna and massage rooms, from bow to stern.

The distinctly modern design of all private and public spaces, attributed to Agni Katzouraki and Irene Philippides, was characterised by efficiency, spaciousness, high-quality materials, comfort, elegance, finesse, and meticulous attention to detail, with particular emphasis on maximising natural light and creating pleasant, habitable floating environments. Subtle colour schemes and gentle geometric motifs were consistently applied across all main surfaces, including false ceilings, walls (tapestries, silkscreens, murals, etc.), and floors (carpets). The same design philosophy guided the bespoke furnishings and upholstery. According to the designers, the inspiration for these elements derived from an abstract and creative interpretation of Minoan and Archaic art, as well as Greek folk art motifs. These were counterpointed by elements of avant-garde furniture design by renowned modernist architects (e.g., Le Corbusier, Mies van der Rohe, Breuer, Jacobsen). Original, wall-spanning artworks were seamlessly integrated to complement the cruise ship’s unique character. Colour, alongside ‘transparency, sheen, and texture,’ played an instrumental role in achieving a harmonious overall result. For instance, as one descended to the ship’s lower decks where natural light was limited, the chromatic palette transitioned from cool blue and green tones to warm ochres and yellows. In other instances, subtle colour transitions were employed to delineate functional shifts, from communal to more private areas.

The ship’s entertainment offerings included gourmet meals served in the spacious dining room and main lounge, both lined with sea-view windows, designed to accommodate all passengers ‘at one leisurely sitting.’ Gala main lounge shows with a live orchestra, highlighted by the ‘Greek Night,’ were regular features, alongside first-run screenings at the cinema, dancing to DJ mixes, and a lavish al fresco buffet on the pool deck. The ship also featured three bars and expansive sun decks.

The Daphne's sister ship, the Danae, shared these remarkable design features. Interestingly, in the early 1960s, Carras, who was born in Kardamyla on the island of Chios, acquired a significant area in the Sithonia peninsula, Chalkidiki, Northern Greece. Here, in 1963, he commenced the construction of a luxurious resort, now known as Porto Carras Grand Resort.