CMV Magellan

CMV Magellan cruise ship is a Holiday-class vessel initially operated by Carnival Cruise Line as "MS Holiday." She joined CMV's fleet in spring 2015. As a former Carnival "Fun Ship," Magellan retained the distinctive funnel shape. Carnival Holiday's sisterships (Holiday-class cruise ships) are MS Jubilee (Henna) and Carnival Celebration (now Grand Celebration).

For CMV, the vessel (IMO 8217881) was Madeira-flagged (MMSI number 255803790) and registered in Funchal. Her last CMV drydock refurbishment was in January 2020.

History - Construction and Ownership

The 1452-passenger MS Magellan belonged to the Holiday-class of Carnival cruise ships and was last operated by CMV UK (Cruise and Maritime Voyages, part of Global Maritime Group). The vessel was previously operated by Iberocruceros (another Carnival Corporation subsidiary) as "MS Grand Holiday."

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 traded under the "Cruise and Maritime Voyages" brand. In June, SQTL-CMV entered emergency talks with potential investors and lenders, but efforts to secure funding amid the COVID-19 crisis failed.

All CMV cruise ships were placed on the secondhand market for sale. In October, the vessels were scheduled for auction via the London-based company CW Kellock & Co Ltd (Ship Auctioneers, Brokers, and Valuers). Bidding deadlines were as follows: Vasco Da Gama (Oct 8), Columbus (Oct 12), Astor (Oct 15), Magellan (Oct 19), and Marco Polo (Oct 22).

• (Oct 8) The 27-year-old CMV Vasco Da Gama was sold to Mystic Invest (Portugal) for USD 10.187 million.
• (Oct 12) The 31-year-old CMV Columbus was sold to Seajets Ferries (Greece) for USD 5.321 million.
• (Oct 15) The 33-year-old CMV Astor was sold to an undisclosed buyer (USD 1.71 million) with intent to scrap.
• (Oct 19) The 35-year-old CMV Magellan was sold to Seajets Ferries (Greece) for USD 3.431 million.
• (Oct 22) The 55-year-old CMV Marco Polo was sold to a private buyer (USD 2.77 million), initially offered for charter, but sold for scrap to Alang Shipbreaking, India in December.

On December 9, CMV Magellan arrived in Malta (anchored off Valletta) awaiting orders. After transiting the Suez Canal, the ship anchored off Oman’s coast (southwest of Masirah Island). On December 28, she docked at Port Duqm (Oman). On January 18, 2021, under the name "Mages" (MMSI 620800000), the vessel departed for India and was beached for scrapping at Alang.

SEAJETS Greece (Eaglepower Shipping Ltd, est. 1989) is a Cyprus-based company specializing in passenger and cargo ferry services in the Eastern Mediterranean (Aegean Sea). Its fleet includes 14 high-speed catamarans (capacity 2100 passengers, 600 cars) and 3 conventional Ro-Pax vessels (capacity 1300 passengers, 400 cars). SEAJETS operates from Piraeus-Athens, Lavrion, and Crete (Heraklion, Rethymno), linking 26 Cyclades Islands.

Decks and Cabins

CMV Magellan offered 726 staterooms across four types (Inside, Oceanview, Balcony, Suite), in categories: Guarantee Inside (IG/Decks 5-6), Standard Twin Inner (Cat1/Deck 4), Standard Plus Twin Inner (Cat2/Deck 5), Superior Twin Inner (Cat3/Deck 6), Premium Twin Inner (Cat4/Deck 7), Standard Twin Oceanview (Cat6P-7P), Standard Plus Twin Oceanview (Cat8/Deck 5), Superior Twin Oceanview (Cat9/Deck 6), Superior Plus Twin Oceanview (Cat11/Deck 7), Premium Twin Oceanview (Cat12/Deck 7). All suites were located forward on Deck 11.

The vessel had 12 decks, of which 10 were passenger-accessible and 5 had cabins.

(New) CMV Mexican Cruise Brand "Cruceros Maritimos Vacacionales"

On December 19, 2017, CMV announced Magellan’s 2018–2019 winter deployment to the Mexican Riviera under a new brand name—"Cruceros Marítimos Vacacionales."

The 7-day cruise itinerary (February–March 2019) offered roundtrips from both Acapulco and Manzanillo. Departing Sundays, the itinerary included Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, and Manzanillo, with two sea days.

Sunday departures allowed passengers to enjoy overnight stays in Acapulco by booking pre- or post-cruise packages (up to 5 days). Average 7-day cruise fares started from USD 700 pp (MXN 14,000).

In 2019, a total of ten 7-day voyages were scheduled, with an estimated 12,000 total passengers. CMV planned to extend the 2020 season to 5 months and potentially operate year-round in Mexico. A sales office was opened in Mexico City in April 2018, with an expected 80–85% local passenger base.

Shipboard Facilities and Amenities

MS Magellan had 9 passenger decks and 726 staterooms in 15 grades: 14 Balcony Suites, 277 Inside, and 449 Oceanview cabins.

Main dining venues included Waldorf and Kensington Restaurants (open seating for breakfast and lunch; two fixed dinner sittings). Raffle’s Bistro offered a more casual dining option.

This "old-time" liner lacked modern amenities like ice-skating rinks or climbing walls. Designed as an adults-only vessel, she welcomed guests aged 16 and over. Lounges and bars included a 2-deck Main Show Lounge (Theatre), Neptune Observation Bar, Lido Bar, Eros Bar, Scott’s Nightclub, Hampton’s Lounge Bar, Sinatra’s Lounge Bar, Captain’s Club, Nansen Card Room, and Internet Café. Other facilities included Jade Wellness Centre (spa and beauty), Fitness Centre, two swimming pools, three outdoor Jacuzzis, Sun Terrace, Casino Royale, Livingstone Library, Shackleton’s Conference Room, Photo Gallery, and Shopping Galleria.

Itineraries

MS Magellan’s itinerary program included Western Europe and Baltic Sea cruises from UK ports like Dundee, Newcastle, and Harwich. She also operated voyages to Norway and the Canary Islands, including a 42-night Transatlantic cruise to Brazil (winter 2017–2018) roundtrip from Tilbury-London.

CMV Magellan’s 2020–2021 cruise program included 64 voyages (scheduled between October 5, 2020, and October 16, 2021), featuring roundtrips to Norway, Baltic Capitals, Canary Islands, British Isles, Faroes, and Iceland. An 84-day World Cruise 2021, themed "Grand Round South America Amazon Discovery," was also planned. All itineraries were cancelled following CMV’s bankruptcy.

Note: For more details on the cancelled 2020–2021 CMV Magellan program, visit the ship's Wiki section.