Secondhand Cruise Ship Update: Five Vessels Set to Change Ownership Soon
After being part of various recent transactions, these five cruise ships are set to soon debut for their new operators.
For a complete overview of the market, see the Secondhand Market Report by Cruise Industry News.
Pacific Encounter
Capacity: 2,600 guests
Tonnage: 109,000
Year built: 2002
Current operator: P&O Cruises Australia
Next operator: Carnival Cruise Line
Debut: March 2025
With the discontinuation of the P&O Cruises Australia brand, the Pacific Encounter will transfer to Carnival Cruise Line in 2025.
The ship, which can accommodate 2,600 guests, is scheduled for a minor update before being renamed Carnival Encounter in March next year.
Originally built for Princess Cruises in 2002, it will continue to operate out of Australian ports after the transfer.
Pacific Adventure
Capacity: 2,600 guests
Tonnage: 109,000
Year built: 2001
Current operator: P&O Cruises Australia
Next operator: Carnival Cruise Line
Debut: March 2025
Like the Pacific Encounter, the Pacific Adventure will also be transferred to Carnival Cruise Line after the winding down of P&O Australia.
Set to be renamed the Carnival Adventure, this 2001-built vessel will undergo a minor update before it begins service for Carnival Cruise Line in March.
Originally the Golden Princess, the ship will continue operating in the Australian market after the transfer.
World Explorer
Capacity: 224 guests
Tonnage: 9,300
Year built: 2019
Current operator: Quark Expeditions and Rivages du Monde (under charter from Mystic Cruises)
Next operator: Windstar Cruises
Delivery: December 2026
The World Explorer will start operating for Windstar Cruises in late 2026. Currently under charter to Quark Expeditions and Rivages du Monde, this 224-guest vessel was recently acquired by Windstar Cruises.
Before joining Windstar as the Star Explorer, the ship will undergo a drydock for upgrades and to incorporate Windstar’s signature features.
Built in 2019 as the first in a series of expedition ships for Mystic Cruises, the vessel originally entered service at the West Sea shipyard in Portugal.
Xpedition
Capacity: 100 guests
Tonnage: 2,842
Year built: 2001
Current operator: Celebrity Cruises
Next operator: Lindblad Expeditions
Debut: March 2025
The Xpedition, acquired from Celebrity Cruises in June, will make its debut for Lindblad Expeditions in March 2025.
Renamed the National Geographic Gemini, this 100-guest vessel will continue offering exploration cruises in the Galapagos Islands.
Originally built in 2001 as the Sun Bay, the expedition ship was purchased by Celebrity Cruises in 2004 for approximately $15 million.
Xploration
Capacity: 16 guests
Tonnage: 317
Year built: 2007
Current operator: Celebrity Cruises
Next operator: Lindblad Expeditions
Debut: February 2025
Also acquired by Lindblad Expeditions in June, the Xploration will begin service for its new operator in February 2025.
This upscale catamaran will be renamed the National Geographic Delfina and will continue to offer expeditions throughout the Galapagos Archipelago.
Previously operated by Ocean Adventures, this 16-guest vessel started operations in 2007 and was acquired by Celebrity in 2016.
