Greek Cruise Company Sells Ship with a Colorful History: A Journey Through Time

Piraeus-based Celestyal Cruises has sold the New Dawn, its oldest and smallest cruise ship, to buyers in the UAE. The New Dawn, which was previously known as Celestyal Crystal, has a storied past, having originally been built in 1980 and undergoing several transformations throughout its career.

After being laid up for some time, Celestyal decided to part with the ship, which the new owners aim to either resell for further cruising or convert it into an accommodation vessel. Celestyal had been attempting to sell the New Dawn since it was replaced in the fleet by a newer vessel in September 2023.

The New Dawn’s history includes a significant reconstruction in 1992 following a fire that destroyed an earlier ferry. After a shaky start—where it grounded and partly sank during its service for a previous owner— the vessel found a more stable role in the Caribbean and then the Asian market under various names, including Leeward and Superstar Taurus. However, the ship’s luck turned again during its time in the Baltic, facing incidents that included fires and collisions.

In 2007, the ship was sold to Louis Cruises, a predecessor of Celestyal, for Mediterranean and Caribbean routes. Although it experienced some incidents, such as a collision in 2015, it served reliably for over 16 years. The COVID-19 pandemic allowed smaller cruise companies like Celestyal to acquire modern vessels at reduced prices, prompting the sale of their older ships.

Celestyal previously sold another ship, the Celestyal Olympia, for accommodation use to UAE interests in January 2024, highlighting the trend of companies adapting their fleets in a fluctuating market. Currently, there are no disclosed pricing details for the sale of the New Dawn.

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