A roundup of the cruise industry stories from the last one to two weeks most relevant to world cruises and long voyages: ships changing hands into new long-voyage roles, an itinerary cancelled over regional security concerns, and a major fleet realignment further down the pipeline.
A former Deutschland is 105 nights into a round-the-world academic voyage
The vessel long known as Phoenix Reisen's ms Deutschland has begun a new life as Semester at Sea's World Odyssey, which departed IJmuiden, Netherlands, on September 9 on a 105-night circumnavigation calling at Portugal, Morocco, Brazil, Saint Helena, South Africa, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Thailand. Phoenix Reisen chose not to renew its charter on the 1998-built, 22,496-GT ship after an 11-year run, freeing it up for the academic voyage program.
Sources: Cruise Industry News, Cruise News
Oceania's Regatta begins a second career doing world cruises for MyCruises
After 23 years sailing for Oceania Cruises, the 30,200-ton Regatta completed its final Oceania voyage in August and has been chartered long-term to Australia-based MyCruises (Explorations by Norwegian), which will use the 684-guest ship for world cruises under a two-year charter.
Sources: Cruise Industry News, Cruise Passenger
Norwegian Sky's farewell voyage to Dubai cancelled over Middle East security concerns
Norwegian Cruise Line scrapped Norwegian Sky's planned 23-night repositioning voyage to Dubai after first adjusting the route to avoid the Arabian Gulf, then cancelling it outright. The 77,104-ton ship wrapped a shortened farewell cruise in Piraeus on September 9 and now transfers to Cordelia Cruises, where it will sail as Cordelia Sky on Indian Ocean and Southeast Asian itineraries from late October.
Sources: Cruise Industry News, Cruise Hive
Costa Fortuna sold to Margaritaville at Sea, will relaunch as Beachcomber
Costa Cruises' 103,000-ton Costa Fortuna, built in 2003, has officially been sold to Margaritaville at Sea, which plans to refurbish and rebrand the ship as "Beachcomber" and give the brand a new homeport. The ship completed its Costa farewell season in September.
Sources: Maritime Executive, Seatrade Cruise News
Holland America accelerates Oosterdam's refit, cancels fall 2027 sailings
Holland America has moved the ms Oosterdam's "Evolution" refurbishment in Marseille forward by five weeks, pushing the ship's first post-refit voyage to October 31, 2027, and cancelling sailings between September 11 and December 9, 2027 as a result. Five new post-refit itineraries have been released, running from the Mediterranean back to a 13-day repositioning to Fort Lauderdale and on into the Caribbean.
Sources: Travel Weekly, Cruise Addicts
Royal Caribbean releases its 2028–2029 deployment schedule
Royal Caribbean has published its 2028–2029 deployment plan, giving travel agents and early bookers a first look at where its fleet will sail two booking seasons out. The release follows a string of deployment updates from the line this year and signals cruise lines are now planning full itinerary calendars nearly three years ahead.
Sources: Royal Caribbean Blog, Cruise Hive
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