With the former Song of America arriving in Alang to be dismantled, Cruise Industry News looks at the last five cruise ships that have been retired permanently.
Celestyal Olympia
Former names: Song of America, Sunbird, Thomson Destiny and Louis Olympia
Last Operator: Celestyal Cruises
Capacity: 1,402 guests
Tonnage: 37,773
Year built: 1982
Breaking Yard: Alang, India
Date: February 2025
The former Song of America became the latest ship beached for recycling after arriving at the Alang Shipbreaking Yard in early February.
Last in service for Celestyal Cruises, the 1,402-guest vessel was originally constructed for Royal Caribbean International in the early 1980s.
Diamond XI
Former names: Begonia, Explorer Starship, Song of Flower, Le Diamant and Ocean Diamond
Last Operator: Bridgeman Services
Capacity: 172 guests
Tonnage: 8,282
Year built: 1974
Breaking Yard: Aliaga, Turkey
Date: August 2024
In August 2024, the former Ocean Diamond became the first oceangoing cruise ship scrapped after a nearly two-year gap.
Originally built as a cargo vessel, the 172-guest vessel was last operated by Bridgeman Services as a floating hotel. As part of its 50-year career, the small ship also sailed for Radisson Seven Seas, Ponant, Quark and others.
SuperStar Aquarius
Former names: Windward and Norwegian Wind
Last Operator: Star Cruises
Capacity: 1,750 guests
Tonnage: 50,764
Year built: 1993
Breaking Yard: Alang, India
Date: November 2022
The SuperStar Aquarius completed its final voyage in late 2022 after spending several months in layup at a port in Sri Lanka.
Along with its sister ship and former fleet mate, the SuperStar Gemini, the former Star Cruises ship was beached for scrapping in Alang, India.
SuperStar Gemini
Former names: Dreamward and Norwegian Dream
Last Operator: Star Cruises
Capacity: 1,750 guests
Tonnage: 51,039
Year built: 1992
Breaking Yard: Alang, India
Date: November 2022
The SuperStar Gemini arrived at the Alang Shipbreaking Yard to wrap up its sailings career in November 2022.
Formerly operated by Norwegian Cruise Line and Star Cruises, the 1,750-guest vessel arrived in India after a six-month-long layup at the Hambantota International Port in Sri Lanka.
Carnival Ecstasy
Former names: Ecstasy
Last Operator: Carnival Cruise Line
Capacity: 2,040 guests
Tonnage: 70,367
Year built: 1991
Breaking Yard: Aliaga, Turkey
Date: November 2022
Wrapping up a 30-year sailing career, the Carnival Ecstasy was beached for recycling in Turkey in late 2022.
After completing a final cruise for Carnival Cruise Line in the Caribbean, the Fantasy-class ship arrived in Aliaga for dismantling in November of that year.
Riverboats
In May 2024, American Cruise Lines also announced plans to scrap the American Countess and the American Duchess riverboats.
Acquired by the U.S.-based company in an auction, the two vessels were previously part of the fleet of American Queen Voyages.
