In 1960 "Britannic" made her annual 66-day cruise from New York to the Mediterranean as usual. Cunard had scheduled "Britannic" for 19 transatlantic crossings in 1961. But on 9 May 1960 the crankshaft in one of her main engines cracked, forcing her to stay in New York for repairs until July. These took two months, cost about $400,000 and caused her to miss three voyages. She returned to service, but on 15 August Cunard announced that "Britannic" would be withdrawn from service in December 1960.