Italian Line, was a passenger shipping line that operated regular transatlantic services between Italy and the United States, and Italy and South America. The company was founded in 1932 through a merger of previous italian shipping lines who previously-ordered ocean liners were delivered to the new company: Rex, that won the Blue Riband in 1933, and Conte di Savoia.

After the war Commercial service was resumed in 1947. In addition to the vessels returned to the company by the United States, two new vessels, Andrea Doria and Cristoforo Colombo were commissioned,In the late 1950s aircraft passenger travel had yet to have a noticeable effect on ocean-going passenger numbers between the United States and the Mediterranean. The Italian Line, therefore, ordered two new ships: Michelangelo and Raffaello.whose conversion to cruise ships became problematic.