CMV Astor

Former names: CMV Jules Verne, Fedor Dostoevskiy

Specifications of CMV Astor

Year of build1987  /  Age: 33
Builder(HDW) Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (Kiel, Germany)
Building costUSD 65 million
Speed18 kn / 33 km/h / 21 mph
Length (LOA)176 m / 577 ft
Beam (width)22 m / 72 ft
Gross Tonnage20704 gt
Passengers650
Crew300
Passengers-to-space ratio32
Decks7
Cabins289
Decks with cabins7
Last Refurbishment2020, Aliaga-scrapped in 2020
Former namesCMV Jules Verne, Fedor Dostoevskiy
OwnerGlobal Maritime Group Inc (via Global Cruise Lines Ltd)
OperatorCMV (Cruise and Maritime Voyages)

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 constructed by Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW) in Kiel, Germany, and ordered by the Mauritius-based Marlan Corporation. Originally, she was intended to join the fleet of South African Safmarine as a combined ocean liner/cruise ship for voyages between Southampton, England and Cape Town, South Africa. Prior to joining CMV, Astor was owned by the German company Premicon AG. TransOcean Tours (Germany) purchased the ship in 1996. In 2013, Astor was chartered by CMV for seasonal deployment in Australia. CMV later acquired TransOcean Tours and began marketing MS Astor to the German cruise market.

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

History and ownership

The 650-passenger cruise ship Astor was sold to the Soviet Union’s Black Sea Shipping Company just one year after entering service and renamed "Fedor Dostoevsky." She was chartered to several West German cruise operators. In 1995, the vessel was renamed Astor again and continued under charter to TransOcean Tours from 1996 onward.

CMV Astor cruise ship

Onboard Astor, guests were recognized by name, allowing for a personalized cruise experience not often found on larger ships. She offered fine cuisine, comfortable accommodations, and exceptional service.

On November 28, 2008, pirates attempted to seize the ship in the Gulf of Oman. The attack was thwarted by the German frigate Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

In April 2021, CMV Astor was to be renamed "Jules Verne" and transferred to CMV-France (Croisières Maritimes et Voyages), a new cruise brand aimed at the French-speaking market. The ship was scheduled to homeport year-round in France (Marseille and Le Havre-Paris) and operate as an adults-only vessel, except during school holidays for family-themed cruises.

The planned inaugural season (April 2021 through May 2022) included 18 itineraries (roundtrips from France to the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Northern Europe, Canary Islands), as well as a 123-day World Cruise 2021 departing Marseille on January 8 and ending in Le Havre on May 11.

On July 20, 2020, CMV's parent company, SQTL (South Quay Travel & Leisure Ltd), was placed into administration and filed for bankruptcy. The UK-based company, which traded as Cruise and Maritime Voyages, entered emergency talks with potential investors and lenders in June. Unfortunately, efforts to secure funding amid the COVID-19 crisis were unsuccessful.

All CMV ships were placed on the secondhand market and scheduled for auction by the London-based company CW Kellock & Co Ltd (Ship Auctioneers, Brokers, and Valuers). The bidding deadlines were as follows:

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

Cruise itinerary program

For 10 years, CMV Astor operated European cruises during the northern summer, mainly targeting the German-speaking market. During World Cruises, she visited Australian ports and was seasonally homeported in Fremantle-Perth.

Cabins

MS Astor offered a total of 289 cabins in 16 grades, including 42 Suites, 3 Balcony, 198 Oceanview, and 91 Inside. The vessel featured a wide range of modern accommodations, from Standard to De Luxe categories. Approximately 70% of cabins had ocean views and individually controlled air-conditioning. All cabins were serviced twice daily and included standard home comforts. Guests in premium categories such as Senator Suite, De Luxe Suite, or Astor Suite enjoyed additional space and exclusive complimentary benefits.

CMV Astor cruise ship

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The Waldorf Restaurant offered traditional fixed-time, two-seating dining. Guests could also choose the more casual yet stylish Übersee Club Bistro, along with the Commodore's and Admiral's lounges. All meals were included in the cruise fare—breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, five-course dinner, and late-night snacks. Food was a highlight of the Astor experience, with the option to enjoy buffet or à la carte service for breakfast and lunch.

CMV Astor cruise ship

Evening meals featured appetizers, soups, and a wide selection of main courses including seafood, rack of lamb, veal escalope, beef medallions, chicken chasseur, Asian stir-fries, pasta, and traditional roasts. Vegetarian and health-conscious options were always available. Dessert choices included fresh fruit, cheese platters, and sweet treats such as English trifle, apple strudel, blueberry cheesecake, Baked Alaska, Peach Melba, strawberry tart, crème caramel, and the popular Astor chocolate mousse. Bars onboard offered Australian draught beer and a curated selection of fine European and Australian wines.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Astor was a fully stabilized, air-conditioned, four-star cruise liner with seven passenger decks. Entertainment venues included five lounges: the Astor Lounge (theatre-style shows), Captain's Club (live piano music), Hanse Bar (connected to the panoramic Sun Terrace Bar), and the Overseas Club.

CMV Astor cruise ship

Additional onboard amenities included a Library and Card Room, Internet Café, and Shopping Arcade (with a jeweler, photo shop, boutique, and perfumery). The Oasis Wellness Center featured a beauty salon, barber services, fitness center, indoor swimming pool, sauna, and massage treatment rooms. Outdoor amenities included a swimming pool, two whirlpools, and a Promenade Deck. The Sports Deck housed a jogging track, volleyball and basketball courts, table tennis, Giant Chess Board, half-court tennis, golf simulator, and yoga area. A Conference Room and Gallery were also available onboard.

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

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

CMV Astor was one of the World Cruise ships, operating an annual "Around The World Voyage." These world itineraries included visits to ports in Africa, Asia, Australia, as well as small islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Astor underwent a 9-day drydock in January 2020 at Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam. The works included general maintenance and repairs, such as servicing the diesel engine intercoolers, installing new piping, and replacing the stern tube.