 The "Gruziya" was one of five cruiseferries built between 1975 and 1976 for the Black Sea Shipping Company for intra-Soviet Union service on the Black Sea.The ships were built to the same standards of technology and passenger accommodation as cruiseferries built outside the Eastern Bloc at the time.As built she was able to accommodate 1009 passengers (504 with cabin berths) and 256 cars.