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 build1948  /  Age: 77
BuilderAB Gotaverken (Goteborg, Sweden)
Building costUSD 150 million
Speed19 kn / 35 km/h / 22 mph
Length (LOA)160 m / 525 ft
Beam (width)21 m / 69 ft
Gross Tonnage16144 gt
Passengers548 - 600
Crew200
Passengers-to-space ratio30
Decks8
Cabins277
Decks with cabins8
Last RefurbishmentGhent-scrapped in 2025
Former namesMS Azores, Athena, Caribe, Valtur Prima, Italia Prima, Italia I, Fridtjof Nansen, Volker, Volkerfreundschaft, MS Stockholm
OwnerThe Roundtable LLC
OperatorCMV (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.

CMV Astoria cruise ship

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.

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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 / TimePort
17 OctDeparting from Portsmouth, England
18 Oct 13:00 - 19:00IJmuiden, Holland
20 Oct 09:00 - 15:00Bergen, Norway
21 Oct 08:00 - 16:00Andalsnes, Norway
23 Oct 10:00 - 19:00Tromso, Norway
24 Oct 09:00 - 19:00Honningsvag, Mageroya Island, Norway
25 Oct 07:00 - 02:00Alta, Norway
28 Oct 07:00 - 13:00Alesund, Norway
29 Oct 09:00 - 15:00Stavanger, Norway
31 OctArriving 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 / TimePort
07 Dec 17:00Departing from Puerto Penasco, Mexico
09 Dec 05:00Topolobampo, Baja California Mexico
11 Dec 08:00 - 17:00Mazatlan, Mexico Riviera
12 Dec 09:00 - 19:00Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Mexico
13 Dec 09:00 - 20:00La Paz, Baja California Mexico
14 Dec 08:00 - 18:00Loreto, Baja California Mexico
15 Dec 08:00 - 18:00Santa Rosalia, Baja California Mexico
16 Dec 08:00 - 18:00Guaymas-San Carlos, Mexico
18 Dec 07:00Arriving in Puerto Penasco, Mexico

CMV Astoria Mexico prices started from USD 1350 per person.