As the former Nippon Maru hits the beach in India, Cruise Industry News looks into the latest cruise ships that have been retired and turned into scrap metal.
Former Nippon Maru Last Operator: Mitsui Ocean Cruises
Capacity: 6000 guests
Tonnage: 22,000
Year Built: 1990
Breaking Yard: Alang (India)
Date: June 2026
The Nippon Maru became the first cruise ship to be scrapped in nearly a year after being recently beached in Alang.
Retired from Mitsui Ocean Cruises earlier this year, the Japan-built vessel arrived at the Indian breakers in June, concluding a three-decade career that included over 2,000 cruises.
Astoria Last Operator: Cruise & Maritime Voyages
Capacity: 520 guests
Tonnage: 16,100
Year Built: 1948
Breaking Yard: Galloo Gent (Belgium)
Date: July 2025
After spending over five years out of service, the Astoria was sold to recycling specialist Galloo Gent in an auction in July 2025.
The 1948-built vessel is currently being dismantled at the Belgian shipyard, as part of a process that is expected to take a year and a half. Last in service for Cruise & Maritime Voyages, the former ocean liner had a long career, sailing for a range of brands.
Former Celestyal Crystal Last Operator: Celestyal Cruises
Capacity: 950 guests
Tonnage: 25,600
Year Built: 1980
Breaking Yard: Alang (India)
Date: May 2025
The former Celestyal Crystal wrapped up its colorful career in May 2025.
Before sailing to the Indian breaking yard as the Sun Bright, the vessel sailed for a series of brands, including Silja Line, Star Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line and Celestyal Cruises.
Ocean Atlantic Last Operator: Albatros Expeditions
Capacity: 186 guests
Tonnage: 12,798
Year Built: 1986
Breaking Yard: Aliaga (Turkey)
Date: May 2025
The Ocean Atlantic was sold to the Aliaga Shipbreaking Yard in May 2025, concluding a four-decade sailing career.
Originally built as a Soviet cruise ferry, the 186-passenger ship had been converted into an expedition ship in the 1990s. The vessel was last operated by Albatros Expeditions before spending a few years in layup in Northern France.
Former Celestyal Olympia Last Operator: Celestyal Cruises
Capacity: 1,402 guests
Tonnage: 37,773
Year Built: 1982
Breaking Yard: Alang (India)
Date: February 2025
One of the oldest operating cruise ships at the time, the former Celestyal Olympia was beached for its retirement in February 2025.
Originally in service for Royal Caribbean as the Song of America, the 1982-built vessel was last operated by Celestyal Cruises. Sold by the company in early 2024, the ship spent a year in layup before arriving at the Alang Shipbreaking Yard.
