The Axel Johnson class was composed of five ships ship class .
The ships were built at Wärtsilä Turku shipyard for the Ab Nordstjernan shipping company and delivered between 1969 and 1971. All ships were sold in 1985 and 1986. Three of the ships, the Axel Johnson , the Annie Johnson and the Margareth Johnson were sold to Regency Cruises and were to be converted into cruise lines. While the Margareth Johnson was scrapped in 1987, her two sister ships were converted and came into service for Costa Crociere .
Margareth Johnson's machinery was expanded and used for the Regent Star , which was damaged after a fire .