The Ministry of Defence terminated "Dunera's" trooping charter in 1960 and she was refitted by Palmers Shipbuilding and Iron Company at Hebburn-on-Tyne in early 1961 for her new role as an educational cruise ship. New facilities (classrooms, swimming pool, games rooms, library and assembly rooms) were introduced. Her capacity became 187 cabin passengers and 834 children; , . Tam Dalyell, who later went on to become Member of Parliament for West Lothian, was Director of Studies on the ship between 1961 and 1962.