CMV Astoria
Former names: MS Azores, Athena, Caribe, Valtur Prima, Italia Prima, Italia I, Fridtjof Nansen, Volker, Volkerfreundschaft, MS Stockholm
Specifications of CMV Astoria
Year of build | 1948 / Age: 77 |
Builder | AB Gotaverken (Goteborg, Sweden) |
Building cost | USD 150 million |
Speed | 19 kn / 35 km/h / 22 mph |
Length (LOA) | 160 m / 525 ft |
Beam (width) | 21 m / 69 ft |
Gross Tonnage | 16144 gt |
Passengers | 548 - 600 |
Crew | 200 |
Passengers-to-space ratio | 30 |
Decks | 8 |
Cabins | 277 |
Decks with cabins | 8 |
Last Refurbishment | Ghent-scrapped in 2025 |
Former names | MS Azores, Athena, Caribe, Valtur Prima, Italia Prima, Italia I, Fridtjof Nansen, Volker, Volkerfreundschaft, MS Stockholm |
Owner | The Roundtable LLC |
Operator | CMV (Cruise and Maritime Voyages) |
CMV Astoria Review
Review of CMV Astoria
The 1948-built / 2025-scrapped cruise ship Astoria (formerly "MV Azores") was launched as "MS Stockholm" for the Swedish America Line on September 9, 1946. At the time, she was the largest Swedish passenger vessel (Transatlantic liner) and became best known for her collision with SS Andrea Doria in 1956, which resulted in the sinking of the Italian ocean liner.
Shipowner Grand Circle Corporation announced the vessel would leave CMV's fleet at the end of 2018. However, in April 2019, CMV introduced the 2020 "Baja California and Mexican Riviera" itinerary program, homeporting in Puerto Penasco. In January 2020, CMV confirmed it would end the charter deal for Astoria in October 2020.
CMV Astoria entered technical drydock for the last time in June 2020 at Naval Rocha Shipyard in Lisbon, Portugal.
For CMV, the vessel (IMO number 5383304) was Madeira-flagged (MMSI number 255801380) and registered in Funchal. In July 2020, charterer CMV filed for bankruptcy.
In mid-February 2021, the 73-year-old Astoria was listed for sale on Lloyd's List. After leaving Port Tilbury, she was rerouted to Port Rotterdam, Holland, where she was arrested under insolvency law following the bankruptcy of her Madeira-based owner, Transportes Marítimos Unipessoal Lda. The ship was auctioned at a minimum price of EUR 10 million (~GBP 8.72M / ~USD 12.135M), free of debts.
Astoria's last owner was The Roundtable LLC, a Puerto Rico-based engineering and consulting company (founded in 2018), specializing in renewable energy, project management, and equipment manufacturing.
For five years (2020–2025), the vessel was laid up in Rotterdam, Holland. On June 17, 2025, the 77-year-old Astoria—the world’s oldest operational cruise ship—was sold at auction for dismantling and recycling. Belgian company Galloo NV (aka Galloo Recycling, founded in 1939) was the sole bidder in the court-ordered auction. The ship was sold for EUR 200,000. Per EU regulations, she was selected for scrapping at Galloo Recycling NV's facility in Ghent.
History - construction and ownership
The 600-passenger ship Astoria was originally named "MS Stockholm" and constructed by Gotaverken in Goteborg, Sweden for SAL (Swedish America Line). She later joined the fleet of Classic International Cruises (founded in 1985, defunct in 2012) and operated as "MS Athena" until 2012. In 2013, she was acquired by Portuscale Cruises (founded 2013), the first Portuguese cruise shipping company.
Over the years, the vessel sailed under numerous names—Volkerfreundschaft, Volker, Fridtjof Nansen, Italia I, Italia Prima, Valtur Prima, and Caribe—and gained fame as Stockholm due to her 1956 collision with Andrea Doria, which sank as a result of serious damage. The incident remains one of the most infamous maritime disasters in history.
Stockholm (later Azores), with a length of 525 ft (160 m), was at the time the smallest passenger vessel operating on the North Atlantic route. Interestingly, she was also the largest passenger ship ever built in Sweden. Initially designed for 395 passengers, her maximum passenger capacity was increased to 548 after a drydock refit.
MV Azores entered service for CMV in 2015 under a long-term charter from Portuscale Cruises and was aimed at the English-speaking cruise market. She operated as an “adults-only” (16+) ship. CMV later announced that after the 2015 summer season, the vessel would be renamed “Astoria.”
In July 2016, CMV announced Astoria would leave the fleet in 2018. Following the spring 2017 season (Tilbury roundtrips from March 9 through April 27), she was chartered for one year by the French company Rivages du Monde.
All CMV 2017 bookings featured “buy one get one free” cruise deals if booked by the end of July 2016. Bookings made by August 31, 2016, included free or half-priced car parking at Port Tilbury, free cabin upgrades, and up to GBP 1000 in onboard credit.
CMV cruise itinerary program
CMV Astoria's itinerary program included cruises from UK ports to destinations in Europe such as the Mediterranean, Iberia (Portugal and Spain), the British Isles, Norwegian Fjords, and Iceland. Departures were roundtrips from Hull and Tilbury-London.
During her final CMV season in 2016 (2 months), the ship operated roundtrips from Bristol (Avonmouth) following winter docking in Greece. On March 11, she sailed to Avonmouth. On March 21, she began a 7-day "Scottish Islands and Emerald Isle" itinerary, followed by a 15-day "Azores, Madeira and Portugal" cruise on March 28, visiting Oporto-Leixoes, Lisbon, La Coruna, and two Azorean islands.
Astoria's 2020 itinerary program was based on roundtrips to Baja California and Mexican Riviera ports, departing from Puerto Penasco, Mexico. The 12-day "Treasures of the Seas of Cortez" itinerary visited Topolobampo, Mazatlan, Cabo San Lucas, La Paz, Loreto, Santa Rosalia, and Guaymas (San Carlos). CMV targeted the Arizona market due to the port’s proximity to Phoenix, Tucson, and Yuma.
In mid-July 2019, CMV offered free roundtrip bus travel to Puerto Penasco from the US (Phoenix and Tucson), plus USD 200 in onboard credit for all Sea of Cortez bookings made by July 30. The promotion also included onboard gratuities and free drinks (house beer and wine by the glass at meals). Cruise fares started at USD 1600 per person (double occupancy).
Decks and Cabins
CMV emphasized guest comfort, and Astoria offered a wide selection of well-appointed cabins graded by size, amenities, and location to accommodate various preferences and budgets. The ship had 277 cabins in 17 grades, including 9 Suites, 43 Balcony, 229 Oceanview, and 49 Inside. Each stateroom was air-conditioned and featured a private en-suite bathroom with marble flooring, bath and shower, ample wardrobe/storage space, music channels, in-house movies and information on TV, a minibar fridge, hairdryer, and personal safe. The owner’s presidential suite, junior suites, and balcony suites also featured a jacuzzi and seating area.
Shipboard facilities and amenities (Astoria ship review)
The Olissipo Restaurant served gourmet meals with attentive service. Dining was a highlight, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner offered in the Olissipo or at the Lotus Buffet, which also provided al fresco options on the Pool Deck.
Astoria offered a traditional maritime experience in a comfortable and elegant atmosphere, with numerous lounges and stylish leisure facilities.
On sea days, guests could attend craft sessions, enjoy lectures by guest speakers, work out in the gym, or relax with a book. The Calypso Show Lounge hosted evening cabaret performances, musical shows, and guest entertainers. For night owls, there was dancing in the Night Club, while the Sirenes Bar provided mellow live music. Guests could also try their luck in Circe's Casino or enjoy a card game in the Card Room.
Other lounges and bars included the Astoria Lounge, Captain’s Club (live music), and Aeolos Bar. Additional onboard facilities featured a Beauty Salon, Sauna, Fitness Centre, swimming pool, Internet & Library, Auditorium (conference room), Chapel, Boutique, Shop, and Photo Shop.
CMV Astoria ship related cruise news
- Cruise Industry
World’s oldest cruise ship MS Astoria arrives in Ghent for scrapping
MS Astoria, recognized as the oldest ocean-going passenger ship in the world, has been towed into Ghent, Belgium, to begin dismantling after 77 years...
July 9, 2025 - Cruise Industry
Historic cruise ship Astoria sold for recycling after decades of service
The 1948-built Astoria, widely recognized as the world’s oldest cruise ship still afloat, has been sold at auction for recycling. Belgian firm...
June 24, 2025 - Cruise Industry
75-year-old CMV Astoria cruise ship sold for recycling?
The owner of the oldest oceangoing cruise ship in the world denies it is ending a 75-year career. According to a spokesman for Puerto Rico-based The...
February 2, 2023 - Cruise Industry
CMV Astoria ship auctioned for EUR 10 million
The world's oldest operational cruise ship - CMV Astoria (fka Azores), is currently listed for sale. The vessel will be auctioned at a minimum...
February 16, 2021 - Cruise Industry
5 former CMV-Cruise & Maritime Voyages ships up for sale by auction
The British company CMV-Cruise and Maritime Voyages had 6 ships in its fleet when it ceased trading in July 2020. CMV also planned two new vessels to...
September 10, 2020 - Cruise Industry
CMV-Cruise And Maritime Voyages goes into administration/bankruptcy
CMV-Cruise And Maritime Voyages has gone into administration (similar to the USA's filing for bankruptcy). The company has appointed Paul Williams...
July 20, 2020 - Cruise Industry
ITF aiding the repatriation of crew on 6 Global Cruise Lines' ships
The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) announced that it is aiding the repatriation of crew who are currently on 6 Global Cruise...
July 3, 2020 - Accidents
Five CMV cruise ships detained in the UK over welfare fears for crew
Four ships at cruise port London-Tilbury have been detained by the Coastguard (CG) following "concerns" about the welfare of their crew members. The...
June 21, 2020 - Accidents
VIDEO: 160 Indian crew stranded on CMV Astoria go on hunger strike
About 160 Indian crew stranded for the past 3 months onboard the CMV-owned ship Astoria have gone on hunger strike on Monday, June 15. The crew...
June 15, 2020 - Cruise Industry
CMV Fleet Parade 2021
On August 28, 2021, CMV's 7-ship fleet gathers in Port Rotterdam (Holland) during the annual (port's 25th) Rotterdam Regatta. In both...
February 22, 2020 - show more news
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CMV Astoria Wiki
MV Astoria was launched (floated out from drydock) on September 9, 1946. The vessel was built for Swedish America Line as "MS Stockholm"—at the time, the largest passenger ship ever constructed in Sweden. As Stockholm, she was best known for the 1956 collision with SS Andrea Doria. The accident resulted in the sinking of the latter, just five years after her launch.
In January 2015, Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) introduced Astoria to its fleet. The 550-passenger vessel Azores was renamed Astoria, replacing MV Discovery (scrapped in 2015). The ship was chartered from Portuscale Cruises under a long-term charter agreement as CMV’s second UK-homeported liner, alongside the Marco Polo. As a chartered vessel, all management services and crewing were handled directly by CMV. Astoria's inaugural cruise was a 30-night roundtrip itinerary from Plymouth, England to the Caribbean, departing January 26, 2015.
For summer 2016, Astoria was chartered to Rivages du Monde, a Paris City-based French travel company. CMV continued to charter the vessel for spring and fall cruises from the UK for five years. For CMV, Astoria operated as an "adults-only" ship, welcoming passengers aged 16 and older, and was dedicated to the English-speaking market. The vessel underwent a major drydock refit and refurbishment in 1994 at a cost of approximately USD 150 million.
In March 2016, following drydock in Piraeus-Athens, Greece, the liner began a new itinerary program with roundtrips from Bristol, England to Iberia (Spain and Portugal) and to various UK ports (British Isles itineraries).
The following table shows the ship's final cruise for CMV UK. The 13-night/14-day itinerary, themed "Land of the Northern Lights," had fares starting at approximately GBP 1430 per person / EUR 1680 pp / USD 1860 pp (based on double occupancy).
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
17 Oct | Departing from Portsmouth, England |
18 Oct 13:00 - 19:00 | IJmuiden, Holland |
20 Oct 09:00 - 15:00 | Bergen, Norway |
21 Oct 08:00 - 16:00 | Andalsnes, Norway |
23 Oct 10:00 - 19:00 | Tromso, Norway |
24 Oct 09:00 - 19:00 | Honningsvag, Mageroya Island, Norway |
25 Oct 07:00 - 02:00 | Alta, Norway |
28 Oct 07:00 - 13:00 | Alesund, Norway |
29 Oct 09:00 - 15:00 | Stavanger, Norway |
31 Oct | Arriving in Portsmouth, England |
In December 2019, CMV homeported the Astoria ship in Puerto Penasco (Sonora Mexico), targeting almost exclusively the Arizona USA market. Shipping operations were scheduled to start on December 7 with 11-day Baja California and Mexican Riviera itinerary ("Treasures of the Seas of Cortez”).
Date / Time | Port |
---|---|
07 Dec 17:00 | Departing from Puerto Penasco, Mexico |
09 Dec 05:00 | Topolobampo, Baja California Mexico |
11 Dec 08:00 - 17:00 | Mazatlan, Mexico Riviera |
12 Dec 09:00 - 19:00 | Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Mexico |
13 Dec 09:00 - 20:00 | La Paz, Baja California Mexico |
14 Dec 08:00 - 18:00 | Loreto, Baja California Mexico |
15 Dec 08:00 - 18:00 | Santa Rosalia, Baja California Mexico |
16 Dec 08:00 - 18:00 | Guaymas-San Carlos, Mexico |
18 Dec 07:00 | Arriving in Puerto Penasco, Mexico |
CMV Astoria Mexico prices started from USD 1350 per person.