With cruise lines busy christening a new generation of ships, older members of their fleets are moving on to new roles.
On the same week in April that Norweigan Cruise Line showcased its shiny new 3,600-guest Norwegian Aqua, it announced that veteran fleet-mates Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Sun are going to be transferred to Cordelia Cruises to sail in Asia and the Middle East.
Meanwhile with Oceania Cruises about to celebrate the arrival of its latest ship Allura, one of its original ships is being shipped out to become part of a planned fleet of floating residences for a new company Crescent Seas. Insignia has been with Oceania since 2003 and has become a favorite for world cruises.
Another ship heading to Crescent Seas is Regent’s Seven Seas Navigator, also due to be converted to a residence at sea.
That makes four ships owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings transferring out of the company. NCLH has aggressive expansion plans across its three brands with 12 ships on order through 2036 — seven for NCL, three for Oceania and two for Regent Seven Seas. So there may be several more announcements to come about older NCL ships moving on to new lives.
Crescent Seas has just announced that it has ambitions to create a fleet of at least four floating residences.
In fact, it just announced plans to build an entirely new ship to be called The Ocean. But you’ll have to be willing to plan far ahead for it, because it isn’t due to be in service until 2032.
Navigator residences units are for sale from $750,000 to $8-million for occupancy in 2026. Insignia residence sales will open to the public in late summer 2025. After a $50-million makeover, the ship will feature 290 residences priced from $60,000 to $10-million. Amenities will include private butler service, refined gourmet dining and on-deck experiences.
In reality, NCL will continue to own both Insignia and Navigator. Cresent Seas will be chartering and marketing Insignia and Navigator as residencies. Well-known cruise management and hospitality services company The Apollo Group will manage all onboard hospitality and culinary offerings. Crescent Seas emphasizes that its ships will be staffed by their existing onboard service provider to ensure continuity in the product.
“As a developer, I know real estate has always been defined by location, location, location, as we say…. Now, your home isn’t bound to a single address – it moves with you, taking you to the world’s most breathtaking destinations,” said founder and chairman of Crescent Seas Russell W. Galbut, who is co-founder of successful Miami real estate developer Crescent Heights.
And what do we know about Cordelia Cruises? The Indian company started with another well-known cruise ship, the former Royal Caribbean Empress of the Seas. “With the addition of Sky and Sun, we are entering a new era of cruise holidays for Indian guests — one that is bigger, bolder, and more immersive than ever before,” says Jurgen Bailom, president and CEO of Cordelia Cruises The ships will sail for Norwegian until they’re transferred to Cordelia in 2026 and 2027.
It’s apt to keep the two nearly identical Norwegian sisters together. Sky was christened in 1999 and Sun in 2021. Each accommodates around 2,000 passengers and 900 crew members. Together, they will more than double Cordelia’s current capacity. The cruise line says it will soon announce deployment timelines and destinations for the two new ships, with plans to serve a mix of domestic and international routes.
Story by Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
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