A chunk of Royal Caribbean’s early historical past is headed to the scrapyard.
Royal Caribbean’s former Music of America, which was as soon as one of many largest cruise ships on this planet, was retired in 2023 by Celestyal Cruises.
Music of America entered service for Royal Caribbean in 1982 because the cruise line’s fourth ship. She was preceded by Solar Viking, Nordic Prince, and Music of Norway.
The cruise ship initially supplied Caribbean itineraries from Miami to Nassau, San Juan, and St. Thomas; nevertheless, she later added sailings from New York to Bermuda to broaden the ship’s enchantment to a broader viewers.
Learn extra: What occurred to Royal Caribbean’s first cruise ships?
Celestyal Cruises acquired the cruise ship in 2014, although she departed Royal Caribbean’s fleet in 1999 after being bought to Solar Cruises. After a five-year stint because the MS Sunbird, she was as soon as once more bought in 2004 to Louis Cruises, working beneath the identify MS Thomson for eight years.
In 2012, she was renamed Louis Olympia and commenced providing cruises out of Piraeus (Athens), Greece, earlier than Louis Cruise Traces re-branded to change into Celestyal Cruises in 2014.
Celestyal Olympia sailed for Celestyal Cruises for a couple of decade earlier than Celestyal bought her to a flag of comfort firm which renamed her Bella Fortuna. Celestyal changed the 40+-year-old ship with the previous AIDAaura.
Bella Fortuna’s identify was finally shortened to Fortu. On January 22, she departed the United Arab Emirates along with her standing listed as “to be damaged up,” in accordance with The Maritime Govt.
She’s en path to Alang, India, residence to the world’s largest shipbreaking yard.
Learn extra: Pictures present dismantled cruises in a cruise ship graveyard
When Music of America launched, she was the third-largest passenger vessel at sea
She additionally featured many firsts for the cruise line, together with Royal Caribbean’s iconic Viking Crown Lounge which supplied 360-degree views across the ship.
It was additionally the primary time Royal Caribbean had put staterooms towards the entrance of the ship and public areas close to the aft in order that the cabins had been farther from the ship’s noisy engines.
Plus, Music of America had two swimming swimming pools, which had by no means been accomplished earlier than on any Royal Caribbean ship! That appears remarkable at present with vessels like Icon of the Seas that function upward of seven swimming pools for friends to get pleasure from.
Music of America catapulted Royal Caribbean into a contemporary period of cruising
“Each progressive maritime function, each considered one of ‘tomorrow’s’ cruise ideas, can be a part of Music of America at present” is what the primary preview brochure for Music of America stated.
Following Music of America, Royal Caribbean’s committee overseeing the development of a brand new ship argued for constructing a vessel that might push the boundaries even additional by way of measurement.
Thus, Sovereign of the Seas was born. With a passenger capability of over 2,600 friends, she might deal with greater than double what Music of America might accommodate.
And as everyone knows, Royal Caribbean ships have continued to change into bigger and extra progressive. I suppose we must always anticipate nothing much less from an trade chief who had massive desires within the Eighties, beginning with Music of America.
Learn extra: 8 methods Royal Caribbean modified the cruise trade
