As the impact of Covid-19 continues to wreck the entire cruise industry, several cruise lines are looking to rid their ageing ships, shed tonnage from their fleet and reduce operating costs as much as possible. This has already resulted in many ships being sold for scrap or to other operators looking for a bargain purchase. Recently, Carnival Corporation revealed it is disposing of 13 ships in its global fleet, reducing overall capacity by 9%. Entire cruise lines have shut down for good, and some have cancelled all cruises until 2021.
While some ships may be rescued and continue to operate for other cruise lines, some are being sent to the scrapyard. Here is a guide to all the cruise ships sold in 2020 and what is expected to happen to them.
Last Updated: 6 September 2020
Amsterdam
Built: 2000
Operator: Holland America Line
Status: Sold for Further Use
Holland America has confirmed Amsterdam will leave the fleet in the autumn. It has been sold to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and will be named Bolette. The UK cruise line took delivery in September 2020 and will be rebranded in Rosyth, Scotland before commencing cruises from Dover and Southampton from March 2021.
Astoria
Built: 1948
Operator: Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Status: Unknown
Astoria is by far one of the oldest cruise ships around. She was built in 1948 as a transatlantic liner called Stockholm. In the 1990s she was heavily modified into the ship we recognise today. The ship was refurbished by Portuscale Cruises in 2013, and the ship has been operating with Cruise & Maritime Voyages since 2015. It is also chartered by French operator Rivages du Monde for a few months each year. In 2017, CMV announced plans to retire the ship, but demand for her to stay was so high, the cruise line decided to keep hold of her. In early 2020, it was announced Astoria would finally leave the fleet for good and would sail with the company for the last time in October 2020. The ship was scheduled to visit a drydock in Lisbon in June 2020, while the fleet remained laid up at London Tilbury. However crew welfare concerns raised to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency, resulted in the ship being detained while an investigation was carried out. It is unknown at this time what will be happening to the ship once it leaves the CMV fleet in October. On 20 July, Cruise & Maritime Voyages went into administration, raising more doubt on the future of the vessel.
Berlin
Built: 1980
Operator: FTI Cruises
Status: Unknown
Berlin, the single cruise ship operated by FTI Cruises, began life in 1980 with Peter Deilmann Cruises. For seven years between 2006 and 2012, the ship operated as Spirit of Adventure for Saga Cruises. FTI purchased the ship in 2012 and has operated Berlin ever since. On 27 July, it was announced FTI Group would cease cruise operations entirely as part of a business streamlining plan. It it unclear what will happen to the ship at this stage, however chances are the ship will likely end up being scrapped.
Bremen
Built: 1990
Operator: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
Status: Sold for Further Use
Built in 1990, Bremen has operated with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises since 1993. In January 2019, it was announced the ship would be sold to Scylla in May 2021. The Swiss river ship builder planned to charter the ship to VIVA Cruises and Polar Latitudes. In July, Hapag-Lloyd announced Bremen is no longer part of the fleet and would not return to service with the cruise line when it plans to restart operations at the end of the month. It is not know if the ship will be sold to Scylla ahead of the planned delivery or will remain laid up in Rostock.
Carnival Fascination
Built: 1994
Operator: Carnival Cruise Lines
Status: Long Term Lay-Up
Carnival Fascination is part of Carnival Cruise Lines Fantasy-class fleet. In July 2020, Carnival Corporation announced the ship would enter long term lay-up with no planned date for re-entry into the fleet.
Carnival Fantasy
Built: 1990
Operator: Carnival Cruise Lines
Status: Sold for Scrap
Carnival Fantasy is the oldest ship in the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet and has always been based on the East Coast of America. In July 2020, the ship docked in Curacao to begin unloading valuables and heavy equipment. The ship was beached in Aliaga, Turkey on 29 July.
Carnival Imagination
Built: 1994
Operator: Carnival Cruise Lines
Status: Sold for Scrap
Carnival Imagination is part of Carnival Cruise Lines Fantasy-class fleet. In July 2020, Carnival Corporation announced the ship would enter long term lay-up with no planned date for re-entry into the fleet. In August, the ship filed a voyage plan for Aliaga. The ship is due to arrive there on September 10, where the ships is expected to be scrapped.
Carnival Inspiration
Built: 1996
Operator: Carnival Cruise Lines
Status: Sold for Scrap
Carnival Inspiration is part of Carnival Cruise Lines Fantasy-class fleet. In July 2020, the ship docked in Curacao to begin unloading valuables and heavy equipment. The ship was beached in Aliaga, Turkey on 5 August.
Costa Atlantica
Built: 2000
Operator: Costa Cruises
Status: Sold for Further Use
Costa Atlantica has been part of the Costa fleet since its construction in 2000. It is one of four Spirit-class ships operated by both Costa Cruises and Carnival Cruise Lines. The ship was sold to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited in January 2020 as part of a new joint-venture cruise line between China State Shipbuilding Corporation and Carnival Corporation. The cruise line was set to launch in 2020 aimed at the Chinese cruise market and will utilise two former Costa ships. Two brand new ships, based on the Vista-class are being built for launch in 2023 and 2024, with construction already started on the first new vessel.
Costa Mediterranea
Built: 2003
Operator: Costa Cruises
Status: Sold for Further Use
Costa Mediterranea, a sister-ship to Costa Atlantica will also be sold to CSSC Carnival Cruise Shipping Limited and should be delivered to them in 2021, although the recent global situation, may result in Carnival selling the ship earlier than planned. Two brand new ships, based on the Vista-class are also being built for launch in 2023 and 2024, with construction already started on the first new vessel.
Costa neoRomantica
Built: 1993
Operator: Costa Cruises
Status: Sold for Further Use
Built in 1993, Costa neoRomantica was extensively refurbished in 2012. Celestyal Cruises has confirmed it has purchased Costa neoRomantica from Carnival Corporation and is expected to being operation in the Eastern Mediterranean and Greek Islands from 2021. Photos show the ship has been renamed Celestyal Experience.
Costa Victoria
Built: 1996
Operator: Costa Cruises
Status: Sold for Scrap
Costa Victoria was one of the first casualties as a result of the impact caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The vessel was first rumoured to become an accommodation ship for shipyard workers in Genoa, but in June 2020 it was announced the ship had been sold for scrap and would be dismantled in Piombino, Italy.
Funchal
Built: 1961
Operator: Signature Living
Status: Sold for Scrap
The last remaining example of a former Portuguese liner, Funchal has been laid up in Lisbon since 2015. It was extensively refurbished by start-up cruise line Portuscale Cruises in 2013. In October 2014, the ship briefly operated with Cruise & Maritime Voyages after their ship Discovery was sold. Portuscale Cruises ceased operations in 2016 and the ship has been laid up on the outskirts of Lisbon ever since. In 2018, the ship was sold to Signature Living with ambitious plans to turn it into a party ship, based out of Liverpool. These plans never materialised and in June 2020, Signature Living entered administration. The administrators have arranged for the disposal of the ship.
Golden Princess
Built: 2001
Operator: Princess Cruises
Status: Sold for Further Use
Delivered in 2001, Golden Princess has sailled all corners of the world, during its time with Princess Cruises. In 2018, it was announced the ship would be transferred to P&O Cruises Australia in 2020. For her final season, Golden Princess was scheduled to sail to Alaska from Los Angeles before a transpacific crossing to Singapore, however due to Covid-19, all sailings have been cancelled. The ship is expected to join P&O Cruises Australia in October 2020, and will be renamed Pacific Adventure. The ship will undergo a complete refurbishment, including the addition of waterslides.
Horizon
Built: 1990
Operator: Pullmantur
Status: Sold for Scrap
Originally built for Celebrity Cruises in 1990, Horizon sailed with the cruise line until 2005. For a few years it sailed with relaxed brand Island Cruises, a joint venture between Royal Caribbean and First Choice, later being taken over by Thomson, when Royal Caribbean sold its remaining shares in 2008. In 2009, the ship was transferred to Pullmantur, another subsidiary of Royal Caribbean. The ship also spent time operating for Croisieres de France CDF, the French arm of Spanish-based Pullmantur. In June 2020, Pullmantur announced they had filed for reorganisation under Spanish insolvency laws. The ships were only ever rented to the cruise line, and were transferred back to Royal Caribbean ownership. Royal Caribbean has confirmed they have sold all former Pullmantur ships and Horizon will be heading to Turkey for scrap.
Maasdam
Built: 1993
Operator: Holland America Line
Status: Sold for Further Use
Holland America has confirmed Maasdam will leave the fleet in August 2020 and has been sold to an undisclosed buyer. The ship has been renamed Aegean Myth.
Marella Celebration
Built: 1984
Operator: Marella Cruises
Status: Long Term Lay-Up
Originally built as Noordam for Holland America in the 80s, Celebration has been part of the TUI fleet since 2005. In April 2020, TUI announced it would be immediately retiring the ship earlier than planned to make capacity adjustments as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. The ship was due to homeport in Dubrovnik in summer 2020 and 2021 and homeport in Cyprus and Dubai for the winter season. Marella Celebration remains under TUI ownership for now, however the ship will go into cold storage and remain anchored outside of Piraeus, Greece in long term lay-up until a buyer is found.
Monarch
Built: 1991
Operator: Pullmantur
Status: Sold for Scrap
Monarch was a former Royal Caribbean ship launched in 1991 and was transferred to Pullmantur in 2013. In June 2020, Pullmantur announced they had filed for reorganisation under Spanish insolvency laws. The ship was only ever rented to the cruise line, so was transferred back to Royal Caribbean ownership. Royal Caribbean has confirmed they have sold all former Pullmantur ships. Monarch has been beached in Aliaga and is in the process of being scrapped.
Oceana
Built: 2000
Operator: P&O Cruises
Status: Sold for Further Use
Originally built by P&O for Princess Cruises, the ship entered service in 2000 as Ocean Princess. In 2003 the ship became Oceana, after P&O Princess Cruises merged with Carnival Corporation. In July 2020, P&O Cruises announced the sudden retirement of Oceana, reportedly to adjust capacity in order to welcome its new ship Iona and a sister in 2022. The cruise line announced that it had been sold to an undisclosed buyer, rumoured to be a Greek operator. The ship departed Southampton for the final time on 8 July bound for Piraeus, Greece. On 22 July it was revealed Greek ferry operator Seajets had taken over the vessel and renamed the ship Queen of the Oceans.
Pacific Aria
Built: 1994
Operator: P&O Cruises Australia
Status: Unknown
Originally built by Holland America as Ryndam in 1994, The ship joined the P&O Cruises Australia fleet in 2015 and renamed to Pacific Aria. In late 2019, it was announced the ship would be leaving the fleet to join Cruise & Maritime Voyages. In early 2020, it was revealed Pacific Aria would be renamed Ida Pfeiffer, in honour of famous Austrian explorer. The ship was to be officially handed over in May 2021 to CMV, who planned to operate the ship under their German-focused Transocean brand. On 20 July 2020, Cruise & Maritime Voyages went into administration, raising doubt on the future of the vessel.
Pacific Dawn
Built: 1991
Operator: P&O Cruises Australia
Status: Unknown
Originally ordered by Sitmar Cruises, but delivered to Princess Cruises as Regal Princess in 1991, the ship joined the P&O Cruises Australia fleet in 2007 and renamed to Pacific Dawn. In late 2019, it was announced the ship would be leaving the fleet to join Cruise & Maritime Voyages. In early 2020, it was revealed Pacific Dawn would be renamed Amy Johnson, in honour of the first woman to fly solo from London to Australia. The ship was to be officially handed over in February 2021 to CMV, who planned to operate the ship out of London Tilbury. On 20 July 2020, Cruise & Maritime Voyages went into administration, raising doubt on the future of the vessel.
Rotterdam
Built: 1997
Operator: Holland America Line
Status: Sold for Further Use
Holland America has confirmed Rotterdam will leave the fleet in the autumn. It has been sold to Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and will be named Borealis. The UK cruise line took delivery in September 2020 and is currently being rebranded in Rosyth, Scotland. Borealis will begin sailing out of Liverpool from April 2021.
Saga Sapphire
Built: 1981
Operator: Saga
Status: Sold for Further Use
Originally built in 1981 as Europa for Hapag-Lloyd, the ship has operated for a number of cruiuse lines over the years including Star Cruises, Pullmantur, and Croisieres de France. In 2011, the ship was sold to Saga and underwent a complete refurbishment. It remained the flagship of the fleet for a number of years until Saga’s first newbuild ship, Spirit of Discovery, launched in 2019. In 2018, Saga revealed plans to retire Saga Sapphire in 2020, and in August 2019, it was revealed ANEX Tour would operate the ship from Turkey. Saga’s planned farewell season was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the ship officially left the fleet and was sold to ANEX Tour in June 2020. The ship has been renamed Blue Sapphire and is planned to commence sailing from 2021.
Sovereign
Built: 1987
Operator: Pullmantur
Status: Sold for Scrap
Sovereign was a former Royal Caribbean ship launched in 1987 and was transferred to Pullmantur in 2008. In June 2020, Pullmantur announced they had filed for reorganisation under Spanish insolvency laws. The ship was only ever rented to the cruise line, so was transferred back to Royal Caribbean ownership. Royal Caribbean has confirmed they have sold all former Pullmantur ships. Sovereign has been beached in Aliaga and is in the process of being scrapped.
Veendam
Built: 1996
Operator: Holland America Line
Status: Sold for Further Use
Holland America has confirmed Veendam will leave the fleet in August 2020 and has been sold to an undisclosed buyer. On 13 August, the ship was renamed Aegean Majesty by the new owners.
Zenith
Built: 1992
Operator: Pullmantur
Status: Sold For Further Use
A sister ship to Horizon, Zenith launched in 1992 with Celebrity Cruises. In 2007, the ship was transferred to Pullmantur and also spent time operating for Croisieres de France. In 2019, it was announced Zenith would leave the fleet in 2020 to join Peaceboat. The ship is now operating for the Japanese-based non-governmental organisation and is set to embark on world voyages this year.
