Aegean Paradise

Aegean Paradise cruise ship was originally built as a passenger ferry (launched in January 1990) for the Shin Nihonkai Ferry Company. In 2005, the vessel was refitted into a 3-star-rated cruise ship and renamed "Orient Venus." In 2012, she began cruise operations for "Japan Cruise Line" under her current name, "Aegean Paradise."

In September 2005, the ship was sold to First Cruise Line and renamed "Cruise One." The following year, she underwent extensive reconstruction and refurbishment to become a four-star pleasure vessel, with significant design modifications. In April 2007, the cruise ship was chartered to the German line Delphin Kreuzfahrten and renamed "Delphin Voyager." After several changes in ownership, she was chartered for the 2012 summer season to the Turkish tour operator Etstur and received her current name. Between 2012 and 2015, Aegean Paradise offered Greek Islands cruises in the eastern Mediterranean, with roundtrip departures from Turkey (Izmir and Istanbul).

Following Delphin Kreuzfahrten's bankruptcy in 2010, the vessel was eventually acquired by Hainan Cruise and began operations under the name "Hainan Empress." In 2011, she was chartered by Happy Cruises and renamed "Happy Dolphin." After Happy Cruises collapsed in March 2012, the ship was chartered by Etstur (a Turkey-based tour operator) and renamed "Aegean Paradise."

On July 25, 2015, the Hong Kong-based company New Century Maritime entered into a memorandum of agreement to purchase the cruise ship from Hainan Cruise. At the end of 2015, Aegean Paradise was sold to Kingston Maritime (a wholly owned subsidiary of New Century Maritime) for USD 23 million. An independent ship valuation firm had appraised the vessel at USD 27 million.

This acquisition added a third cruise vessel to New Century Maritime’s fleet, alongside Leisure World and Amusement World. Aegean Paradise was delivered to Kingston Maritime in Singapore (at the ST Marine Ltd Shipyard) for refit and refurbishment. New Century Maritime now operates Aegean Paradise as a casino ship cruising off Batam Island, Indonesia.

The Chinese shipping company New Century Maritime acquired the vessel in July 2015 for USD 22.9 million. She was purchased from another Chinese company, Hainan Cruise & Enterprises Shipping, by Kingston Maritime, a wholly owned subsidiary of New Century Group Hong Kong Ltd.

The ship is powered by two 4-stroke, 12-cylinder Pielstick marine diesel engines, with a total propulsion output of 6568 kW and two controllable-pitch propellers. Electrical power is supplied by three diesel generator sets (combined output of 1600 kW), with an emergency generator providing 210 kW.

• On July 27, 2015, Aegean Paradise collided with a vessel from the Greek Coast Guard near Chios Island. No injuries were reported. The coast guard vessel, which was transporting 25 migrants, sustained hull damage. The collision occurred due to poor visibility caused by misty conditions.