A number of cruise ships will start new lives in 2025. Cruise Industry News lists the vessels that are set to enter service for new operators.
Carnival Adventure
Capacity: 2,600 guests
Tonnage: 109,000
Year built: 2001
Former names: Pacific Adventure and Golden Princess
Previous operator: P&O Australia
New operator: Carnival Cruise Line
Debut: March 2025
With P&O Cruises Australia ceasing operations, the Pacific Adventure will be transferred to Carnival Cruise Line in early 2025.
Renamed the Carnival Adventure, the 2001-built ship will continue to serve the Australian market with cruises departing from Sydney.
Carnival Endeavor
Capacity: 2,600 guests
Tonnage: 109,000
Year built: 2002
Former names: Pacific Encounter and Star Princess
Previous operator: P&O Australia
New operator: Carnival Cruise Line
Debut: March 2025
Along with its sister ship Pacific Adventure, the Pacific Encounter is also being transferred to the fleet of Carnival Cruise Line in early 2025.
While P&O Australia is ceasing its operations, the 2,600-guest vessel will remain in Australia for year-round operations out of Brisbane.
Star Scorpio
Capacity: 1,998 guests
Tonnage: 77,000
Year built: 1997
Former names: Pacific Explorer and Dawn Princess
Previous operator: P&O Australia
New operator: Resorts World Cruises
Debut: March 2025
With P&O Cruises shutting down, the Pacific Explorer will leave the Carnival Corporation fleet to become Resorts World Cruises’ Star Scorpio.
Following a $50 million refurbishment in Singapore, the 1997-built ship is set to embark on a series of itineraries in Southeast Asia in late March 2025.
Ocean Victory
Capacity: 186 guests
Tonnage: 8,000
Year built: 2021
Former name: N/A
Previous operator: American Queen Voyages
New operator: Alma Cruceros
Debut: April 2025
Previously in service for American Queen Voyages during summers, SunStone’s Ocean Victory will be operated by Alma Cruceros on a seasonal basis starting in April 2025.
Sailing in the Mediterranean, the 186-guest vessel is set to offer a luxury product for the new Spain-based cruise line.
National Geographic Delfina
Capacity: 16 guests
Tonnage: 317
Year built: 2007
Former name: Celebrity Xploration and Athala II
Previous operator: Celebrity Cruises
New operator: Lindblad Expeditions
Debut: February 2025
After being sold by Celebrity Cruises, the former Celebrity Xploration is set to debut for Lindblad Expeditions in February 2025.
Renamed the National Geographic Delfina, the 16-guest catamaran will kick off a series of expedition cruises in the Galapagos following a revitalization.
National Geographic Gemini
Capacity: 100 guests
Tonnage: 2,842
Year built: 2001
Former name: Celebrity Xpedition and Sun Bay
Previous operator: Celebrity Cruises
New operator: Lindblad Expeditions
Debut: March 2025
Following a refurbishment, the former Celebrity Xpedition is debuting for Lindblad Expeditions in March 2025.
Sold by Celebrity Cruises in 2024, the 100-guest ship will embark on expedition sailings across the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador.
Victory I
Capacity: 202 guests
Tonnage: 4,954
Year built: 2001
Former name: Ocean Voyager and Saint Laurent
Previous operator: American Queen Voyages
New operator: Victory Cruise Lines
Debut: April 2025
Acquired by John Waggoner during an auction in 2024, the Victory I will be the first ship to enter service for the relaunched Victory Cruise Lines.
The former founder of American Queen is reintroducing the ship in the Great Lakes for a summer deployment that also includes repositioning itineraries in Canada and New England.
Victory II
Capacity: 202 guests
Tonnage: 4,954
Year built: 2001
Former name: Ocean Navigator and Sea Discoverer
Previous operator: American Queen Voyages
New operator: Victory Cruise Lines
Debut: May 2025
Following its sister ship Victory I, the former Ocean Navigator will debut for the new Victory Cruise Lines in May 2025.
Renamed the Victory II, the ship will offer cruises to the Great Lakes after being acquired by the company in an auction in 2024.
