astor cruise ship scrapping

Inside eerie abandoned cruise ship frozen in time after being scrapped beside beach

MS Astor, built at the cost of $65million (£50million) in then West Germany, was operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages in recent years but the firm entered administration after the Covid-19 pandemic

• 10:15, 28 Jan 2024

Fascinating photographs capture inside an abandoned cruise ship left frozen in time for nearly four years.

MS Astor is destined for the scrapyard after 33 years at sea, taking passengers on delightful cruises. She first hit the waters in 1987 after she was built at the cost of $65million (£50million) in then West Germany.

Urban explorers were granted permission this month to access the ship and take images and video inside, capturing the state of the vessel at the point its then owners Cruise & Maritime Voyages went into administration in 2020.

Bob Thissen, whose team of adventurers explored MS Astor, said: "It's a weird sight to see a place like a cruise ship which is normally full of life totally empty. It's really sad that a ship in perfect condition like the Astor got scrapped, I'm sure it could have served for a lot more years if it wasn't for the pandemic."

And Cruise & Maritime Voyages said, at the time, business had been ravaged by the coronavirus pandemic, which effectively ceased all travel across the world for years . It was only in August last year when travel experts told the Mirror they had faith the industry will ever recover .

But MS Astor was a victim of the unprecedented challenge, and it now sits by a beach at one of the biggest ship demolition sites in the world in Aliaga, Turkey.

MS Astor is pictured in the water by one of the biggest ship demolition sites in the world in Aliaga, Turkey

The creepy cruise ship looks frozen in time as it is has been left abandoned for nearly four years

MS Astor first hit the waters way back in 1986 and spent 34 years at sea taking passengers on delightful cruises

The urban explorers said it was a 'unique opportunity' to visit the forgotten vessel

One image shows an abandoned bar on Ms Astor, constructed in the 1980s

In 1987, MS Astor went on her maiden voyage from Hamburg to Genoa, and from there further to South America

The large ship boasted a basketball court

MS Astor was furnished in traditional style using large amounts of dark wood, and many of the public rooms had high ceilings

Once the height of luxury, the cruise ship is now a shadow of its former self

The ship had a capacity of some 650 passengers

MORE ON Cruise ships Abandoned places

• Cruise News

Cruise Ship Beached At Turkish Scrapyard [VIDEO]

Bruce Parkinson

• November 24, 2020

The 1987-built, 650-guest Astor has reached its final resting place at a Turkish scrapyard, joining three Carnival ships and two former Royal Caribbean vessels being dismantled there as the cruise industry continues to shed older, less-efficient hardware. 

The 20,704-ton Astor was run ashore at the Aliaga Ship Recycling Facility after being sold at auction to a scrap broker in October for $1.7 million. The ship most recently sailed for Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ (CMV) Transocean Tours subsidiary, operating cruises in Europe, South Africa, and Australia.

The Astor was originally built in Kiel, Germany. She was delivered to the Mauritius-based Marlan Corporation in early 1987. After a maiden voyage from Hamburg to Genoa and on to South America, the ship was used for cruising in the Caribbean and beyond.

PODCAST: Ship Scrapping Process With Peter Knego

The ship’s design featured a sharply raked bow, a relatively low, terraced superstructure, and a large, square funnel. The Astor was furnished in traditional style using large amounts of dark wood, and with high ceilings in many of the public spaces.

After just a year in service for Marlan, the Astor was sold to the Soviet Union-based Black Sea Shipping Company and renamed as the Fedor Dostoevskiy . She then spent some years under charter to various West German cruise lines before being operated on a charter basis for TransOcean Tours from 1996-2020.

In February 2013, Astor was chartered for three years by Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) in a bid to fill a gap in the Australian market after the exit of Classic International Cruises. 

PHOTOS: 21 Haunting Images From A Cruise Ship Scrapyard

The UK-based CMV later acquired TransOcean, and marketed the Astor to the German market. In 2021 she was scheduled to join CMV’s French brand, where she would be refurbished and operate under the name Jules Verne . But after CMV entered bankruptcy administration earlier this year, the Astor was sold at auction.

During her long life, the ship had some memorable moments. In 2008 she was sailing in the Gulf of Oman en route from Sharm-al-Sheikh in Egypt to Dubai, when a German Navy frigate detected speedboats operated by Somalian pirates that were apparently preparing to attack the Astor .  The frigate entered the path of the speedboats while they were still three miles from the cruise ship, and used warning bursts of machine-gun fire to ward off the threat. Guests on the Astor were not even aware of the close call they escaped.

At the Turkish scrapyard, anything and everything that can be sold will be removed from the ship. Once the vessel has been picked clean of items valuable for resale, the steel cutting will begin. The steel that’s cut away from the ship piece by piece will be sold to scrap metal dealers. From there, it will be melted and made into rebar to strengthen concrete in roadways and construction projects.

Cruise Ship Beached at Scrapyard [VIDEO]

Recent Posts

New consumer law mandates clear pricing for cruise lines, carnival cracks down on unsanctioned poolside gambling during cruise, gastro outbreak hits luxury cruise ship, four msc ships will cruise from north america next summer, share this post, related posts.

Cruise Line Adds “Glacier Day” to Its Alaskan Cruise Itineraries

Next Norwegian Ship Will Sail with New Restaurants

Bringing you 15 years of cruise industry experience. Cruise Radio prioritizes well-balanced cruise news coverage and accurate reporting, paired with ship reviews and tips.   

Quick links

Cruise Radio, LLC © Copyright 2009-2024 | Website Designed By   Insider Perks, Inc

On 7 November the 1986-built cruise ship Astor (20,704gt), recently operated by Cruise and Maritime Voyages, departed Tilbury docks in Essex for the last time heading for Aliaga in Turkey for recycling.

Astor was sold at auction by C.W Kellock, London Ltd on 15 October for just under £1.3 million due to CMV entering administration as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.

While sailing for Cruise and Maritime Voyages, she operated cruises all over the world, including Europe, South Africa and Australia.

The ship was originally ordered by the South African company Safmarine as a combined ocean liner / cruise ship on the Southampton-Cape Town service.

The vessel never sailed for Safmarine after being built in West Germany by Howardtswerke-Deutsche Werft in Kiel, eventually coming under the ownership of the Mauritius-based Marlan Corporation where she was given the name Astor.

On 3 October 1988 Marlan Corporation sold Astor to the Soviet Union-based Black Sea Shipping Company. Renamed Feodor Dostoevskiy and re-registered in the Soviet Union, she was chartered to the West German Transocean Tours in December 1988.

She stayed in Transocean Tours service until March 1990, when she was chartered to Neckermann Seereisen. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Feodor Dostoevskiy’s ownership was transferred to Fedor Dostoevskiy Shipping Co, a Bahamas-based company, and reregistered to the Bahamas.

At the end of her charter to Neckermann Seereisen, she was chartered to Aquamarin in December 1995 and her name reverted to Astor.

In 1996 the ship was sold to Astor Shipping Co, and again chartered to Transocean Tours. At some point prior to 2008, she was acquired by Germany-based Premicon, but she continued to operate for Transocean under charter.

In February 2013 Astor was chartered for three years by Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) to fill the gap in the Australian market after the exit of Classic International Cruises.

In December 2014 Cruise & Maritime Voyages purchased the vessel from her bankrupt owners, Premicon. The vessel planned to sail a winter 2015 season with Cruise & Maritime Voyages before briefly moving back to the fleet of Transocean Tours where she sailed a summer season from Germany before switching back to CMV for the winter 2016 season.

In 2019 Cruise & Maritime Voyages announced it would rename Astor as Jules Verne and would deploy the ship in the French market beginning in May 2021. However the pandemic hit and CMV had no option but to sell their fleet.

Report by Trevor Boston

Photos by Trevor Boston and Fraser Gray

Related articles

Ships monthly is published every month and has a cover price of £4.99

Arvia CRUISE REVIEW

Carnival celebration cruise review, celebrity beyond cruise review, latest news, popular news.

• Privacy notice
• Terms & Conditions
• Cookie policy
• Store Finder

© 2024 Kelsey Media Ltd. Kelsey Media Ltd, Registered No. 05822990, is a trading name of Kelsey Publishing, Registered No. 02387149.

Finding what to do in Cozumel for a day is now easy, a wide set of options to help you plan for your Shore Excursion in Cozumel

Cruise Ship Beached At Turkish Scrapyard [VIDEO]

The 1987-built, 650-guest Astor has reached its final resting place at a Turkish scrapyard, joining three Carnival ships and two former Royal Caribbean vessels being dismantled there as the cruise industry continues to shed older, less-efficient hardware. 

(Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons/Claus Blohm)

The 20,704-ton Astor was run ashore at the Aliaga Ship Recycling Facility after being sold at auction to a scrap broker in October for $1.7 million. The ship most recently sailed for Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ (CMV) Transocean Tours subsidiary, operating cruises in Europe, South Africa, and Australia.

The Astor was originally built in Kiel, Germany. She was delivered to the Mauritius-based Marlan Corporation in early 1987. After a maiden voyage from Hamburg to Genoa and on to South America, the ship was used for cruising in the Caribbean and beyond.

PODCAST: Ship Scrapping Process With Peter Knego

The ship’s design featured a sharply raked bow, a relatively low, terraced superstructure, and a large, square funnel. The Astor was furnished in traditional style using large amounts of dark wood, and with high ceilings in many of the public spaces.

After just a year in service for Marlan, the Astor was sold to the Soviet Union-based Black Sea Shipping Company and renamed as the Fedor Dostoevskiy . She then spent some years under charter to various West German cruise lines before being operated on a charter basis for TransOcean Tours from 1996-2020.

The MS Astor in 2010. (Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons/Cato Lien)

In February 2013, Astor was chartered for three years by Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV) in a bid to fill a gap in the Australian market after the exit of Classic International Cruises. 

PHOTOS: 21 Haunting Images From A Cruise Ship Scrapyard

The UK-based CMV later acquired TransOcean, and marketed the Astor to the German market. In 2021 she was scheduled to join CMV’s French brand, where she would be refurbished and operate under the name Jules Verne . But after CMV entered bankruptcy administration earlier this year, the Astor was sold at auction.

During her long life, the ship had some memorable moments. In 2008 she was sailing in the Gulf of Oman en route from Sharm-al-Sheikh in Egypt to Dubai, when a German Navy frigate detected speedboats operated by Somalian pirates that were apparently preparing to attack the Astor .  The frigate entered the path of the speedboats while they were still three miles from the cruise ship, and used warning bursts of machine-gun fire to ward off the threat. Guests on the Astor were not even aware of the close call they escaped.

At the Turkish scrapyard, anything and everything that can be sold will be removed from the ship. Once the vessel has been picked clean of items valuable for resale, the steel cutting will begin. The steel that’s cut away from the ship piece by piece will be sold to scrap metal dealers. From there, it will be melted and made into rebar to strengthen concrete in roadways and construction projects.

Cruise Ship Beached at Scrapyard [VIDEO]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

• Kale by LyraThemes.com .

Record Year for Cruise Ship Scrapping

• October 8, 2022

Keeping up with a trend that started in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, several older and smaller cruise ships continue to be sold for scrapping in 2022.

With 15 vessels beached so far, the year is setting a new record for the cruise ship breaking yards.

According to the latest edition of the Cruise Ship Second Hand Market Report by Cruise Industry News , the pandemic has brought unprecedented numbers for the recycling business.

With the first ships being sold for dismantling just a few months after the health crisis was declared, 2020 saw a total of nine ships beached for scrapping.

 2021 followed closely with a total of 11 vessels sent to the recycling yards.

By contrast,in 2019, just a single cruise ship was beached..

The average age of the scrapped ships was 38 in 2022, compared to 43 between 2017 and 2019.

After growing back to 41 years in 2021, the median age went down once more in 2022, reaching 38 years.

2022 Scrap List:

• Fuji (former Fuji Maru)
• Century Harmony (former Carnival Fascination)
• Oriental Dragon (originally Song of Norway)
• Carnival Sensation
• Delphin (originally Byelorussiya)
• Titan (former Gruziya/Salamis Filoxenia)
• SuperStar Libra (former Norwegian Sea)
• Odin (former Black Watch/Royal Viking Star)
• Marella Dream (former Homeric/Westerdam)
• Star Pisces
• Pearl II (former Saga Pearl II/Astor)
• Golden Iris (former Cunard Princess/Rhapsody)
• Marella Celebration (former Noordam)
• TSM Singapore (former Zenith)

Cruise Industry News Email Alerts

• Breaking News

Get the latest breaking  cruise news .  Sign up.

54 Ships | 122,002 Berths | $36 Billion | View

Highlights:

• Mkt. Overview
• Record Year
• Refit Schedule
• PDF Download
• Order Today

• 2033 Industry Outlook 
• All Operators
• Easy to Use
• Pre-Order Offer
• Advertising
• Cruise News
• Magazine Articles
• Quarterly Magazine
• Annual Report
• Email Newsletter
• Executive Guide
• Digital Reports

Privacy Overview

End of an era: The world's oldest cruise ship is finally heading to the scrapper

The Astoria was built just 36 years after the sinking of the Titantic, when ocean liners still ruled long-distance travel. And, in its early days, it crisscrossed the Atlantic on a regular schedule along with such iconic vessels as the SS United States, Cunard's Queen Elizabeth and the SS Andrea Doria.

But that was just a teaser for the improbably long and eventful career that was to come for the vessel, originally known as the Stockholm.

Sailing the world's oceans since 1948, the 556-passenger ocean liner has had a second — and a third and a fourth — life as a cruise vessel, playing a role in the development of the modern age of cruising from the 1960s to the present day. For many years, it has been the longest-serving cruise vessel at sea.

Alas, that long career is finally coming to an end, according to a shipping news outlet.

For more cruise news, guides and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

After three-quarters of a century, the famous and at times infamous story of the Astoria will finally come to a close in the coming months at a scrapyard, shipping news publication TradeWinds reported Tuesday .

The shipping site said the 16,144-ton vessel had been sold for recycling at an as-yet-unknown scrapyard.

As TradeWinds noted, the ship was ordered way back in 1944, even as World War II still raged, by the Swedish American Line — a company that offered regular passenger service between Sweden and New York City. It was built specifically for transatlantic travel, with an ice-strengthened bow that could deflect the icebergs that used to be more common in the North Atlantic.

Notably, it was one of the first new passenger ships put into service after World War II, sailing its first voyage in February 1948.

Related: 2 more iconic cruise ships from the 1990s head to the scrappers

Still, it wasn't until eight years later, in 1956, that the vessel, then still known as the Stockholm, became a household name.

That was the year it collided with the 3-year-old Andrea Doria, the most iconic Italian ocean liner of the time. The accident took place off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, as the two vessels steamed in opposite directions in foggy conditions.

Both ships suffered significant damage. The Andrea Doria eventually rolled over and sank, and 51 passengers and crew members from both vessels were killed — one of the worst maritime disasters since the sinking of the Titanic.

The accident resulted in one of the most unusual survival stories in the history of passenger shipping.

A 14-year-old girl, Linda Morgan, who was sleeping in her bed on the Andrea Doria at the time of the accident, was somehow ejected out of her ripped-open cabin and thrown onto the deck of the Stockholm, where she was found by a crew member. A sister sleeping in an adjoining bed was killed, as was the girl's stepfather in an adjacent room. She became known as the "miracle girl."

Soon after the accident, after repairs, the vessel began its second life as a cruise ship — and an unusual one at that. The vessel was transferred in 1960 to the East German government to serve as a cruise vessel for East Germans under the new name Volkerfreundschaft.

It was transferred several more times between various cruise companies, and renamed many times, too, over the ensuing 63 years. Along the way, its interiors were completely rebuilt to make it more suitable for modern-day cruising.

It has sailed under the name Astoria since 2016 for British line Cruise & Maritime Voyages, which shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic .

TradeWinds reported that cryptocurrency billionaire Brock Pierce acquired the vessel in 2021 with the intention of using it as a cruise ship but has since dropped the idea. TPG was unable to reach Pierce for confirmation.

For a cruise ship to remain in service for 75 years is extremely rare. Most modern-day cruise ships are designed for a life of 30 years, and they sometimes are retired and scrapped even earlier than that. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a large number of cruise vessels just 20 to 30 years old were permanently removed from service.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

On board haunting £50m cruise ship left abandoned and frozen in time

While they might have taken a hit during the pandemic, cruise holidays remain as popular as ever .

But one famous ship wound up destined for the scrapyard after becoming a victim of Covid and lockdown – with an eerie look inside showing the abandoned vessel left untouched.

The MS Astor had been playing host to holidaymakers since 1987, with the ship costing a massive £50 million when it was built in what was West Germany .

Now the liner hasn’t been anywhere for four years – and never will again, after it was sent to one of the biggest ship demolition sites in Turkey.

Before it went to the scrapyard, a team of urban explorers captured some amazing snaps of the interior – giving some idea of the luxurious facilities passengers could enjoy onboard during life on the ship.

Many of the rooms and common areas remain in good condition – albeit slightly haunting with the lack of people onboard.

The facilities included an onboard spa as well as bars, restaurants, a pool, gym and theatre – all of which was left to gather dust after it sailed its final voyage.

In one bar, drinks still remain on tables while the seats are covered in sheets.

MS Astor previously undertook voyages to Europe, South Africa and Australia – but was grounded for good in 2020 after the company which ran it, Cruise and Maritime Voyages, went into administration.

The company temporarily halted all operations in March 2020 as the virus gripped the world – with reports in July of that year they were facing insolvency.

After an attempt to secure financing to save the company failed, they shut up shop for good in July 2020.

At the time, MS Astor was due to undergo a rebrand which would see it renamed Jules Verne as it entered the French market – which was scheduled for 2021.

However it never happened because of the company’s demise and instead the ship was sold off at auction for $1.7 million.

The ship was subsequently sent to a demolition yard in Aliaga, Turkey, where it was scrapped – but not before Bob Thissen and his team of urban explorers were able to go on board and take a look around.

‘It’s a weird sight to see a place like a cruise ship which is normally full of life totally empty,’ Bob said.

‘It’s really sad that a ship in perfect condition like the Astor got scrapped, I’m sure it could have served for a lot more years if it wasn’t for the pandemic.’

Prior to their demise, Cruise and Maritime Voyages had six ships taking holidaymakers around the world – the Magellan, Marco Polo, Columbus, Vasco da Gama and Astoria joined the Astor in the oceans.

The company, founded in 2009, sailed out of many UK ports including Tilbury, Liverpool and Hull.

Of course you’ll never get the chance to take a voyage on the Astor – but with travel having all but returned to normal following the pandemic, other options are available – such as the Icon of The Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship which recently embarked on its maiden voyage.

Get your need-to-know latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more by signing up to Metro's News Updates newsletter

• CruiseMapper
• Scrapped Cruise Ships

Former names: CMV Jules Verne, Fedor Dostoevskiy

Cruise line Scrapped Cruise Ships

Specifications of CMV Astor

•   Review
•   Wiki

CMV Astor Review

Review of cmv astor.

The 1987-built MS Astor cruise ship was last operated by CMV UK (Cruise and Maritime Voyages) . The vessel was built by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Kiel Germany , ordered by the Mauritius-based Marlan Corporation. The liner was originally planned to be part of the fleet of South African Safmarine as a combined ocean liner/cruise ship for voyages from Southampton England to Cape Town South Africa . before joining CMV, Astor was owned by the German company Premicon AG. The German company TransOcean Tours purchased the ship in 1996. In 2013, Astor was chartered by CMV for deployment in Australia. Later, CMV acquired TransOcean Tours and with MS Astor targeted the German source market.

For CMV, the vessel (IMO number 8506373) was Bahamas- flagged (MMSI 308214000) and registered in  Nassau . Unfortunately, in November 2020 this classic liner joined CruiseMapper's Scrapped Cruise Ships hub .

History and ownership

The 650-passenger cruise ship Astor was sold to the Soviet Union company Black Sea Shipping just a year after entering service, and her name was changed to Fedor Dostoevskiy. The cruise ship was transferred to the Soviet Union firm and was chartered to West German cruise lines. The vessel was renamed again Astor in 1995 and in 1996 remained under charter to Transocean Tours.

Whilst onboard Astor, guests are recognized by name, so they are able to enjoy familiarity which is not offered by many cruise lines. Astor provides fine cuisine, comfortable accommodation, and outstanding experience.

On November 28, 2008, in the Gulf of Oman, pirates made an attempt to seize the vessel. The attack over Astor was stopped by the German frigate Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

In April 2021, CMV Astor was to be renamed to "Jules Verne" and transferred to CMV-France (Croisieres Maritimes et Voyages) - new cruise brand dedicated to the French-speaking market. The cruise liner had to be homeported year-round in France ( Marseille  and  Le Havre-Paris ). CMV Jules Verne was to be operated as an adults-only ship, excluding only the family-themed cruises during school holidays.

Ship's inaugural season (April 2021 through May 2022) included 18 itineraries (France roundtrips to the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Northern Europe, Canary Islands) plus a 123-day  World Cruise 2021 leaving from Marseille (January 8) and ending in Le Havre (May 11).

On July 20, 2020, the CMV's parent company SQTL (South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd) was placed into administration / filed for  bankruptcy . The UK-based company traded as "Cruise and Maritime Voyages" (trademarked brand). In June, SQTL-CMV entered into emergency talks with potential investors and lenders. Unfortunately, the company's efforts to secure funding and stay afloat during the Coronavirus crisis failed.

All CMV cruise ships were placed on the secondhand market and open for sale. In October was planned the vessels to be auctioned via the London UK-based company CW Kellock & Co Ltd (Ship Auctioneers, Brokers and Valuers). Biddings (deadline in brackets) opened for Vasco Da Gama (Oct 8), Columbus (Oct 12), Astor (Oct 15), Magellan (Oct 19) and Marco Polo (Oct 22).

• (October 8) The 27-year-old CMV Vasco Da Gama was sold to Mystic Invest (Portugal) for USD 10,187 million.
• (October 12) The 31-year-old CMV Columbus was sold to Seajets Ferries Greece for USD 5,321 million.
• (October 15) The 33-year-old CMV Astor was sold to an undisclosed buyer (sales price USD 1,71 million) and resold for scrap metal to Aliaga Ship Breaking Facility  (Turkey, near Izmir ).
• (October 19) The 35-year-old CMV Magellan was sold to Seajets Ferries Greece for USD 3,431 million.
• (October 22) The 55-year-old CMV Marco Polo was sold to an undisclosed buyer/private investors (sales price USD 2,77 million) who first offered the vessel for charter (cruiser or hotel ship) but in December sold it for scrap metal to Alang Shipbreaking India .

MS Astor was last refurbished by CMV in 2020. On November 7, the vessel left Port Tilbury-London en route to ALIAGA ( shipbreaking yard near Izmir Turkey ). The ship was beached on November 23.

Cruise itinerary program

For 10 years, CMV Astor has cruised in Europe during northern summer, predominately for Germany's source market. Previously, during Around World voyages , Astor visited ports in Australia and was seasonally homeported in Fremantle-Perth .

MS Astor has a total of 289 cabins (of which 42 Suites, 3 Balcony, 198 Oceanview, 91 Inside) in 16 grades. Astor provides a very good selection of modern cabin accommodation - from Standard to De Luxe and 70% of cabins have an ocean view and individually controlled air-conditioning. All comforts of home are offered. All cabins onboard Astor are serviced twice a day and there is nothing but enjoy the holiday, while CMV take care of you. Standard, superior, premium categories provide a wide range of cabin features that are standard, but if you book a Senator Suite, De Luxe Suite, or Astor Suite you take advantage of amazing extra benefits. Treat yourself to upgrade and enjoy extra space and added value benefits complimentary.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The Waldorf Restaurant is too impressing and offers traditional fixed time, two sitting dining option. The alternative is the more informal, but also stylish Übersee Club Bistro, along with the Commodore's and Admiral's. All meals are included in Astor cruise fare - breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, 5-course dinner, even late night snacks. Cruise and Maritime Voyages cruising is really value for money. The moment guests board Astor they are tempted by culinary delights. More casual or a la carte buffet for breakfast and lunch - you choose. Food is among the highlights of cruising with CMV Astor, and her chefs won’t disappoint you. Evening meals start with an appetizer followed by delicious soup - with lots of options to choose from, the meal is among the most difficult decisions of CMV cruise.

Astor main courses range from seafood, rack of lamb, escalope of veal, beef medallions, chicken chasseur, Asian stir-fries, Italian pasta, traditional roasts - all available for guests to savor. Vegetarian meals are available to tantalize taste buds, featured on every menu together with health-conscious dishes - if you are able to resist temptation. Light salads to refresh are offered before you finish meals - fresh fruit, international cheese platter, or delicious desserts, including English trifle, apple strudel, blueberry cheesecake, Baked Alaska, Peach Melba, strawberry tart, creme caramel, or the famous among cruisers Astor chocolate mousse. The variety onboard Astor is endless. In all Astor bars, Australian draught beer is also offered. Fine European and Australian red and white wines collection is available to complement the meal.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Astor is a fully stabilized and air-conditioned stylish four-star cruise liner with 7 passenger decks. Five lounge areas are available onboard Astor - Astor Lounge, theatre style for truly sparkling entertainment; Captain’s Club, perfect for pre-dinner cocktails with resident pianist; intimate Hanse Bar leading on the stylish Sun Terrace Bar with wonderful panoramic views; Overseas Club.

Other shipboard facilities include Library and Card Room, Internet Cafe, Shopping Arcade (with jeweler, photoshop, boutique, perfumery), Oasis Wellness Center (hairdressing-barber services, beauty salon, Fitness / indoor Gym with exercise equipment, indoor swimming pool, sauna room, treatment rooms for massages). An outdoor swimming pool, two whirlpools and Promenade Deck are also offered available. On Sports Deck are located jogging track, volleyball-basketball court, table tennis, Giant Chess Board, half-court tennis, golf simulator, yoga area. The ship also has a Conference Room and Gallery.

CMV Astor - user reviews and comments

Photos of cmv astor.

CMV Astor ship related cruise news

CMV Magellan cruise ship also heading to the scrap yard in Alang, India

A 3rd ship that was operated by the defunct CMV-Cruise and Maritime Voyages is heading to India's Alang scrap yard. CMV Magellan, 1985-built for CCL...

5 former CMV-Cruise & Maritime Voyages ships up for sale by auction

The British company CMV-Cruise and Maritime Voyages had 6 ships in its fleet when it ceased trading in July 2020. CMV also planned two new vessels to...

CMV-Cruise And Maritime Voyages goes into administration/bankruptcy

CMV-Cruise And Maritime Voyages has gone into administration (similar to the USA's filing for bankruptcy). The company has appointed Paul Williams...

ITF aiding the repatriation of crew on 6 Global Cruise Lines' ships

The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) announced that it is aiding the repatriation of crew who are currently on 6 Global Cruise...

Five CMV cruise ships detained in the UK over welfare fears for crew

Four ships at cruise port London-Tilbury have been detained by the Coastguard (CG) following "concerns" about the welfare of their crew members. The...

CMV Fleet Parade 2021

On August 28, 2021, CMV's 7-ship fleet gathers in Port Rotterdam (Holland) during the annual (port's 25th) Rotterdam Regatta. In both...

Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam Completes Extensive Annual Repair on 3 Cruises Ships

In just 5 weeks over the course of November and into December 2019, Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam (DSAm) completed extensive annual maintenance and...

CMV Announce the Acquisition of Two More Ships

CMV-Cruise and Maritime Voyages will take delivery of P&O Australia’s ships Pacific Dawn and Pacific Aria in Singapore on March 2 and May 2...

Cruise & Maritime Voyages Launches a Dedicated Ship for the French Market

Cruise and Maritime Voyages (CMV), celebrating the company's 10th Anniversary announced the launch of a dedicated vessel and product for the French...

Lerwick Harbour Welcomes a Quartet of Cruise Ships

In the early Friday morning, June 21, CMV Astor arrived at Lerwick Harbour (Mainland Shetland, Scotland) from Bremerhaven Germany, P&O UK's...

•   show more news

Other Scrapped Cruise Ships cruise ships

• American Glory
• Amusement World
• Black Watch
• Carnival Ecstasy
• Carnival Fantasy
• Carnival Fascination
• Carnival Imagination
• Carnival Inspiration
• Carnival Sensation
• Carnival Tropicale
• CMV Columbus
• CMV Magellan
• CMV Marco Polo
• Costa Concordia
• Costa neoRomantica
• Costa Victoria
• Golden Iris
• Grand Celebration
• Leisure World
• Marella Celebration
• Marella Dream
• MS Titanic 2
• mv Discovery
• Orient Queen
• Pacific Jewel
• Pride of Burgundy ferry
• Pride of Canterbury ferry
• Pride of Kent ferry
• Pullmantur Horizon
• Pullmantur Monarch
• Pullmantur Sovereign
• Saga Pearl II
• Salamis Filoxenia
• SeaDream Innovation
• SuperStar Aquarius
• SuperStar Gemini
• SuperStar Libra
• Thomson Spirit

CMV Astor Wiki

MS Astor was built in 1987 by a German shipbuilding company for Marlan Group (Mauritius-based corporation). The ship was ordered by Safmarine (South African company) as a passenger ocean liner serving the route between the UK and South Africa ( Southampton - Cape Town ).

In 1988, the liner was sold to Black Sea Shipping Company (Soviet Union company), renamed "Fedor Dostoevsky" and operated under charter by various cruise line operators from West Germany. The vessel was operated under charter by Transocean Tours since 1996. The last shipowner was Global Maritime Group (shipping company).

CMV Astor is among the World Cruise ships , operating once per year an "Around The World Voyage". On its world itineraries, the ship visits ports in Africa, Asia, Australia, also small islands in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Astor ship's 9-day drydock in 2020 January (at Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam ) included general maintenance works and repairs (diesel engine intercoolers, new pipes, new stern tube).

A company is turning former cruise ships into floating hotels — see inside its largest 'floatel'

• Bridgemans ServicesGroup operates a fleet of former cruise ships turned into hotels. 
• Its "floatels" are designed to house workers during long-term projects.
• See its largest 652-cabin floatel with a game room and buffet.

Some old and unwanted cruise ships meet their demise at ship-breaking yards , where they are disassembled and sold for scrap.

Other vessels find a more fortunate fate, receiving a second chance to do what they already do best: serve as floating hotels.

Canada-based Bridgemans Services Group buys and charters former cruise ships to turn into "floatels," outfitted with standard cruise amenities like daily housekeeping, buffets, and relaxing lounges.

But the ships aren't designed to transport tourists from one destination to another anymore. Instead, companies turn to Bridgeman when they need to house workers for a long-term project, whether it be the construction of an offshore wind farm in Europe or the shooting of a major film in a remote destination.

Floatels can accommodate workers in remote destinations where hotels might not be an option.

In more metropolitan areas, Bridgemans says its ships could lessen the stress an inundation of workers might have on the local housing market.

And once they are no longer needed, the vessels depart and "leave no trace behind," the company said.

Over the last decade, Bridgemans has deployed its ships for 15 projects on every continent, Brian Grange, the company's president, told Business Insider.

Grange said that its deployments — most often for liquified natural gas companies — last for an average of two years.

In the past, it has also provided accommodations for MSC Cruises at its Ocean Cay private island and housing for more than 1,000 workers in the Philippines' on a project for the Manila International Airport during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The company's three ships range from 150 to 652 cabins.

The floatel operator acquired its largest ship, the 561-foot-long MV Isabelle X, in 2023.

In its past life, the 35-year-old vessel sailed around the Baltic Sea as one of Estonia-based Tallink Gruipp's cruise ships.

But gone are its days of leisurely cruising. The 35,000 gross-ton ship is now on its first deployment in Howe Sound, just north of Vancouver, where it's housing more than 600 workers who are building Woodfibre LNG's "net zero" LNG export facility.

Isabelle X underwent a six-month retrofit before it was sent to Howe Sound.

The process included updating the ship's cabins and adding amenities like a game room and an 8,000-square-foot gym.

The latter two are especially important: "We need to make sure we delineate between work and home," Grange told BI. "We have to create a social environment on board these vessels that makes it attractive for workforces around the world."

During their free time, workers can play billiards, relax in the outdoor lounge, or use the ship’s WiFi to catch up on social media.

The sports lounge has large television screens, while the games lounge has darts, ping pong tables, and air hockey.

The 'quiet lounges' are the go-to space for people who need to unwind after a long work day.

Or, they could recharge and catch up on the latest shows in their cabins, which all come with desks, storage, and 32-inch televisions.

Like a typical cruise ship, Bridgemans' vessels have buffets with live cooking stations, a dessert bar, and the occasional themed night.

The ships' chefs tailor their menus to the demographic and dietary restrictions of the workers on board, the company's president told BI.

Residents can expect at least four protein options, plenty of veggies, and handmade bread and desserts.

Unlike most cruise lines, Bridgemans can pre-purchase all the food it needs before deployment.

Grange says this allows the ships to maintain food quality and consistency in remote locations.

Remember that deployment in the Philippines during COVID-19? He said the ship had packed almost 800 tons of food ahead of the project.

He wouldn’t disclose the cost to rent one of Bridgemans’ floatels.

But he did note that the cost of a cabin on the Woodfibre LNG project in Howe Sound is comparable to a hotel room in nearby Vancouver, as is the case with most of its projects near major cities.

The company’s most recent acquisition, the 150-cabin Diamond XI, is currently being retrofitted and would be ready for deployment this year.

According to the company's president, the vessel is small and high-end, likely to be used for sporting events and movie shoots.

It could also be the start of a greater expansion: He hopes to add two or three more vessels to its fleet in the next five years.

"The world has opened up to this as a valued alternative to housing," Grange told BI.

Who knows, the next time you see a cruise ship off the coast, there's a slim but possible chance it could be housing workers — not vacationers.

• Main content