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Even With Decades of Service, Five Cruise Ships Over 30 Years Old Continue to Sail and Receive Tourists in Various International Destinations
In the cruise sector, attention is often focused on newer, larger, and more technologically advanced ships. However, a list compiled by Cruise Industry News shows that there is another group that draws attention: the veteran ships, over 30 years old and still operating on tourist routes around the world.
According to the publication, over 80 vessels of this age remain in operation. Among them, five stand out for continuing to operate with a capacity for more than 500 passengers. Some of these ships have even visited Brazil in previous seasons.
Blue Sapphire: The Oldest Still Sailing
The first on the list is the Blue Sapphire, currently operated by Selectum Blu Cruises from Turkey. Built in 1981, the ship has a capacity of 750 passengers and operates in the Western Mediterranean.
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Styrofoam block cut with hot wire turned into a real boat with three layers of fiberglass and polyester resin, floats without rotting or rusting, carries up to five people, and uses a professional shipyard sandwich technique for less than R$ 500 per square meter.
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With a capacity for 9,100 vehicles, solar panels on deck, and liquefied natural gas engines, the Höegh Aurora is the world’s largest car carrier, and the ship that can embark an entire city’s worth of cars in a single voyage will transition to zero-carbon ammonia by 2027, becoming the first large cargo ship in history to completely abandon fossil fuels.
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Portonave is investing R$ 2 billion to modernize the Port of Navegantes and accommodate ships up to 400 meters, but the project depends on the federal government deepening the channel from 14 to 17 meters, a concession that is at the TCU.
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With 195 meters and 19,235 gross tons, the REV Ocean will be the world’s largest yacht when it is delivered at the end of 2026, and this Norwegian vessel, which took more than eight years to build, is not just a billionaire’s luxury, but a floating scientific laboratory funded by the same man who built his fortune by fishing and drilling the ocean he now tries to save.
The Blue Sapphire has operated with several companies, including Star Cruises, Pullmantur Cruceros, and Saga Holidays. In the past, it even sailed along the Brazilian coast.
In the 2010/2011 season, under the name Bleu de France and under the flag of CVC, it offered cruises departing from Recife and Santos, heading to places like Salvador, Fernando de Noronha, Búzios, and Maceió.
Artania: Operating Since 1984 — One of the Oldest Cruise Ships
The second oldest is the Artania, currently under the command of the German company Phoenix Reisen. With a capacity of 1,200 passengers and 45,000 tons, the ship was launched in 1984 and has passed through various operators, including Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises, before being acquired by the current operator in 2012.
Today, the Artania operates cruises in Northern Europe during the summer and around-the-world trips at other times of the year. It is in continuous operation and is currently on one of these global voyages, which includes a stop along the Brazilian coast.
Balmoral: About to Turn 40
In third place is the Balmoral, from the British company Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Built in 1988, the ship has a capacity of about 1,300 passengers and offers voyages through Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, and various other destinations, such as South America, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Initially belonging to Royal Cruise Line, the Balmoral underwent renovations in 2008 and has operated under different names, such as Norwegian Crown, when it belonged to Norwegian Cruise Line. Since then, it has maintained regular operations departing from ports in the United Kingdom.
Amera: German Tradition at Sea
Another highlight from Phoenix Reisen is the Amera, also launched in 1988. With a capacity of 830 passengers, the ship has 38,000 tons and has belonged to various companies. It started its maritime life with Royal Viking Line and has gone through Cunard, Seabourn, and Holland America Line, where it was known as Prinsendam.
The Amera was acquired by Phoenix Reisen in 2018. Since then, it mainly operates itineraries in Northern Europe, departing from Germany, and also offers around-the-world cruises during the European winter.
Empress: Veteran on the Coast of India
Closing the list is the Empress, currently operated by Cordelia Cruises from India. The ship was launched in 1990 and has a capacity of 1,600 passengers. Initially known as Empress of the Seas, it was part of the Royal Caribbean fleet and later of Pullmantur Cruceros.
During its time with Pullmantur, the ship visited Brazil several times, operating embarkations at ports such as Santos, Itajaí, Rio de Janeiro, and Maceió. Since late 2020, with the purchase by Cordelia Cruises, it has been offering cruises focused on the Indian market, departing from cities like Mumbai, Kochi, and Chennai.
Veteran Ships: Constant Presence in the Seas
These five veteran ships prove that even after three or four decades of operation, it is possible to continue sailing. All maintain active routes and serve passengers in various regions of the planet.
The continued operation shows that, besides construction technology, the cruise sector also values the history and tradition of vessels that have marked an era. Each of these cruise ships carries not only passengers but also decades of accumulated experiences around the world.
With information from Portal World Cruises.
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