Updated: 22nd January 2021
During the pause in sailings due to the coronavirus pandemic, cruise lines are taking the opportunity to consolidate their fleets and review their ships based on efficiency, helping them to continue providing the highest standards of service and hygiene throughout. Keep reading to find out which ships have retired, which have been sold and where they are now.
Retired/Sold Ships
| Cruise Line | Ship | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruises | Carnival Fantasy | Sold |
| Carnival Cruises | Carnival Fascination | Retired |
| Carnival Cruises | Carnival Imagination | Retired |
| Carnival Cruises | Carnival Inspiration | Sold to unknown |
| Cruise and Maritime Voyages | Amy Johnson | Will sail under Ambassador Cruise Line as Ambience |
| Costa Cruises | Costa NeoRomantica | Sold to Celestyal Cruises |
| Costa Cruises | Costa Victoria | Retired |
| Fred. Olsen Cruise Line | Black Watch | Retired |
| Fred. Olsen Cruise Line | Boudicca | Retired |
| Holland America Line | Amsterdam | Joining Fred. Olsen as Bolette |
| Holland America Line | Rotterdam | Joining Fred. Olsen as Borealis |
| Holland America Line | Maasdam | Sold |
| Holland America Line | Veendam | Sold |
| Marella Cruises | Celebration | Retired |
| Marella Cruises | Dream | Retired |
| P&O Cruises | Oceana | Sold |
| Princess Cruises | Golden Princess | Transferred to P&O Cruises Australia |
| Princess Cruises | Star Princess | Transferred to P&O Cruises Australia |
| Princess Cruises | Sun Princess | Sold to unknown |
| Princess Cruises | Sea Princess | Sold to unknown |
| Princess Cruises | Pacific Princess | Sold to unknown |
| Royal Caribbean | Empress of the Seas | Sold to unknown |
| Royal Caribbean | Majesty of the Seas | Sold to unknown |
| Saga Cruises | Saga Sapphire | Sold to Anex Tour |
Carnival Cruises
As well as the sale of Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Cruises have also announced that Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination are being removed from service. While it is yet to be confirmed what will happen to these vessels, as two of the oldest in the fleet, it is unlikely that they will be sailing again.
Costa Cruises
Despite its relatively young age, Costa Cruises' Costa Victoria has been sold for scrap. Meanwhile, Celestyal Cruises has acquired Costa NeoRomantica, a cruise line which already has two ships and operates itineraries around the Greek Islands.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Line
With more than thirty years of sailing as part of the Fred. Olsen fleet between them, Boudicca and Black Watch have both been retired from service. While it is unknown what will happen to them next, fans of the cruise line will be pleased to know that Borealis and Bolette, previously sailing as part of Holland America Line, will be joining in 2020 and 2021.
Holland America Line
It has been confirmed that Holland America Line is selling two pairs of ships. While the buyer of Maasdam and Veendam is not yet known, Amsterdam and Rotterdam will be sailing under Fred. Olsen as Bolette and Borealis.
Marella Cruises
After sailing with Marella for 15 years as the smallest ship in the fleet, Marella Celebration was retired from service in April 2020, a year earlier than her initial scheduled departure in 2021. However, it is not yet known whether she will be sold or scrapped. Marella Dream has also been retired from service, with Discovery taking over her Mediterranean sailings in summer 2021.
P&O Cruises
One of P&O Cruises oldest and smallest vessels, many guests have been saddened by the sale of P&O Oceana which offered a more intimate cruise ship experience than others in the fleet. The buyer has not yet been announced.
Princess Cruises
Part of the Carnival Corporation's plans to make its fleet more efficient, Princess Cruises' Sea Princess and Sun Princess ships have been sold. Both these vessels have been key in growing the cruise industry in Australia, and have paved the way for more modern ships to be introduced to this part of the world. Golden Princess and Star Princess will also leave the Princess Cruises' fleet and will begin sailing in 2021 under P&O Cruises Australia. Meanwhile, Pacific Princess is the 5th ship to leave the fleet having been sold to an undisclosed buyer.
Royal Caribbean
As the two oldest ships in the fleet, with Empress of the Seas sailing since 1990 and Majesty of the Seas since 1992, it's a sad moment for Royal Caribbean to say goodbye to these beloved vessels. Groundbreakingly big at the times that they were launched, these impressive ships later became popular for their smaller size compared to others in the fleet. While the buyer has not yet been disclosed, it is said that they are based in Asia-Pacific.
Saga Cruises
After sailing in the Saga Cruises' fleet for 8 years, Saga Sapphire has been bought by Anex Tour, a Turkish tour operator, where she will sail as Blue Sapphire from 2021.
If you want to see how else cruise ships have been keeping busy as itineraries are paused, read our blog on what ships are doing during the coronavirus pandemic.
