Key Ship Conversions in 2024

Key Ship Conversions in 2024

2024 was a strong year for the drydock and secondhand ship market, which led to a number of ships debuting for new operators.

These are some of the key conversion jobs that took place during the year:

Celestyal Discovery
Former: AIDAaura
Capacity: 1,270 guests
Year built: 2003
Previous operator: AIDA Cruises
New operator: Celestyal Cruises
Debut: March 2024

After being sold by Carnival Corporation in late 2023, the former AIDAaura underwent a conversion project before debuting for Celestyal Cruises.

Previously operated by AIDA Cruises, the 2003-built vessel saw a complete transformation for its new market.

Carnival Firenze
Former: Costa Firenze
Capacity: 4,232 guests
Year built: 2020
Previous operator: Costa Cruises
New operator: Carnival Cruise Line
Debut: April 2024

After being transferred to Carnival Cruise Line, the former Costa Firenze underwent a major refit at the Navantia shipyard in Cádiz in early 2024. In addition to receiving Carnival’s branding and livery, the 4,232-guest vessel was updated with Carnival’s public areas, with various spaces converted into the company’s trademark venues, such as the Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse and the Limelight Lounge.

Margaritaville at Sea Islander
Former: Costa Atlantica
Capacity: 2,100 guests
Year built: 2000
Previous operator: Adora Cruises (never debuted)
New operator: Margaritaville at Sea
Debut: June 2024

After a long refurbishment at the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Northern Ireland, the Margaritaville at Sea Islander debuted for its new operator in June 2024.

Villa Vie Odyssey
Former: Braemar
Capacity: 977 guests
Year built: 1993
Previous operator: Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
New operator: Villa Vie Residences
Debut: September 2024

The former Braemar of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines was turned into Villa Vie Residences’ first residential ship in 2024. After a refit at the Harland & Wolff Shipyard in Belfast, the ship emerged as the Odyssey in September, welcoming guests for a continual world cruise.

Aroya
Former: World Dream
Capacity: 3,400 guests
Year built: 2017
Previous operator: Dream Cruises
New operator: Aroya Cruises
Debut: December 2024

The Aroya entered service in December as the first cruise ship dedicated to the national market in Saudi Arabia.. According to Aroya Cruises, several venues onboard the ship were essentially rebuilt during a long conversion that included shipyard visits in the Netherlands and Germany.

Others:

• Mitsui Ocean Fuji (former Seabourn Odyssey) – now in service for Mitsui Ocean Fuji
• Celestyal Journey (former Pacific Aria) – now in service for Celestyal Cruises
• Marella Voyager (former Mein Schiff Herz) – now in service for Marella Cruises
• Ambition (former AIDAmira) – now in service for Ambassador Cruise Line
• Resorts World One (former Explorer Dream) – now in service for Resorts World Cruises
• Carnival Venezia (former Costa Venezia) – now in service for Carnival Cruise Line
• Exploris One (former Silver Explorer) – now in service for Exploris Expeditions & Cruises